Newman High School
IDENTITY PROJECT
The project started in June last year, when a selected group of twelve young boys aged 14-15years were challenged to think about “Positive self identity” and “Peer Pressure”. The Schools Lead Learning Mentor Belinda Goodin and R2S role models DD Armstrong and Tony Henry observed that the group lacked self confidence and a positive sense of identity.
It was decided that the group would be taken on an extra curricular trip to the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool.
The trip managed to open the boys up into having positive conversations about the strength of black people including the pain and the struggles they endured. They decided that they wanted to do a project based around what they had seen. A project about "Identity". They voted on either doing a performance, collage, workshop or play. It was decided that they would do a collage.
The R2S role models split the group in to two teams, so that they could support individuals more. This gave all of the boys the opportunity to contribute. The boys worked together to share their experiences of the trip to the Liverpool Slavery Museum and also brainstorm ideas for the content and the visual look of the collage. What did identity mean to them? Did the slaves have an identity or was it taken from them? How does their past help them to identify with who they are now?
Each individual had a job role for example, looking into sourcing materials to make the collage and design ideas. Others worked on publicity, promotion and showcase their work.
After several weeks of dedicated work on the collage the group prepared a presentation to showcase their final collage to school staff and peers in their year group. Their collage reflected on the experiences of black African Kings and Queens, Slavery, migration, life in the Caribbean, Life as Black Brits in the 50s and 60s, as well as life for young black people today. They were all presented with certificates for completing the project. Their collage was displayed for everyone to see during their schools Black History Month celebrations this year. By the end of the project the boys not only learnt about slavery but also positive aspects of Black History such as African Kings and Queens and this led to a sense of pride and admiration for the growth of black people.
