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National Windrush Day, which takes place on Wednesday 22^nd June, is an annual celebration commemorating the arrival of men, women and children from the Caribbean who came to the UK to contribute to the rebuilding of Britain after World War II. Many community groups and organisations will be hosting events to celebrate this important commemoration. Events will mark the beginning of the annual celebration of the contributions and achievements of four generations of British people, who descend from Caribbean migrants from 1948.

Elaine Huggett, Teacher of Languages at Nower Hill High School, was inspired to tell her story and share experiences with students during a meeting of the Reach Society, when Dr Dwain Neil OBE, founder and chairman of The Reach Society, announced a new initiative for all to take part in at home, in community groups or with friends in celebration of the Windrush generation. Ms Huggett was just a young girl when her parents decided to respond to the request from the British government for help, making the courageous move from the Caribbean island of Jamaica to London in the early 1960s.

Nower Hill High School will be celebrating the 5^th annual Windrush Day with a series of assemblies led by Ms Huggett, highlighting the positive contributions that British Caribbean settlers have made in Great Britain over the last 7 decades. Content will also be presented as part of a display in school and students in Years 9 and 10 will have the opportunity to interview Ms Huggett to gain additional insight into her family experience. Students will also be encouraged to interview parents and grandparents of Caribbean heritage to report further narrative back into the classroom.

“The Windrush era is an important part of British history. By running these initiatives in school we can pay tribute to the British Caribbean community and highlight the significant contributions that have been made. It will give our students a deeper understanding of how we have become the multicultural society we are today,” Louise Voden, Headteacher, Nower Hill High School.