20/10/03 - Paint Race Positively

On Thursday 23rdOctober at 1pm at Grasmere Village Hall, Grasmere C.E. VA School launches its ‘Paint Race Positively’ Campaign.  The Campaign aims to get pupils thinking about inclusion and diversity.

Children attending a ‘small school’ in Cumbria have been invited to produce a poster on the theme ‘Paint Race Positively’.  A prize of £25 will be given to the winner of every year group with a grand prize of £100 for the ‘best in show’.  The winners and selected entries will be exhibited at the launch for everyone to see.  Jack Mapanje, a poet originally from Malawi but currently in residence at Dove Cottage at the Wordsworth Trust, will be attending the launch.  Jack knows all about equal opportunities and painting race positively in his work.

The School have also organised a ‘Paint Race Positively’ Concert.  The concert will include a traditional orchestra and choir with pupils from Goodly Dale, Grasmere and Langdale Schools. There will also be Middle Eastern and African percussion and music from the Japanese orchestral instrument ‘Gamelan’.  An Indian Dancer, Vinata Godbole will also be coming along and teaching pupils Indian dance.

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says

“The important issue of understanding other people’s cultural differences, particularly for young people of this county, is crucial in developing a multi-cultural and cohesive community.  We need to look at how we interact with people who may be different to ourselves to avoid preconceptions and stereotyping.  This has been a wonderful way of getting these youngsters involved in such an important issue.  I am sure everyone will have a wonderful time at the events that have been organised.”

Carrie Taylor, Chair of Governors at the School says

“Here in Grasmere there aren’t many people from ethnic minority backgrounds so we decided to take the concept on board and develop it as out theme for this year.  Diversity and inclusion are here to stay and what better way to get our pupils thinking about this important issue but to get them involved.  The competition has been a fun way of raising awareness and I hope everyone takes time to come along to the launch and have a look at the wonderful artwork that the children of this County have produced.”