Above: Member's of North Park Collegiate and Vocations School's Student Anti-Racism Coalition (SARC) perform the first Diversity Fashion Show to help address racism, and support inclusion and understanding in the school community.

Students Against Racism Making Positive Impact at North Park

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2022

Last November, a group of students at North Park Collegiate and Vocational School decided they wanted to do something positive to address racism, and support inclusion and understanding in the school community.

The group – Student Anti-Racism Coalition (SARC) – formed out of discussions in teacher Kathryn Cottrill’s Grade 12 Challenge and Change in Society class. Cottrill is now also serving as staff advisor for SARC.

“This is an amazing group of kids,” she said. “I am so privileged to work with them.”

“This is an amazing group of kids,” said Kathryn Cottrill about her Grade 12 Challenge and Change in Society class. “I am so privileged to work with them.”

Recently, SARC hosted the first Diversity Fashion Show during the lunch hour at school. Information outlining the different cultures featured accompanied the fashion show. Students wore their cultural clothing to school that day which sparked a lot of discussions in classes. 

“I was very proud of this group and the whole school community,” said Principal Susan Noort. “The turnout of staff and students for the Diversity Fashion Show was astounding.”

SARC has been active on inclusivity issues throughout the school year including:

• In February, SARC celebrated Black History Month selling T-shirts in support of Unite Against Hate, and playing music by Black artists and celebrating Black identities at the school each morning.

• In March, students were invited to place stickers indicating their cultural heritage on a large canvas map created by SARC

• In April, in the spirit of Ramadan, SARC ran a charitable food drive and donated 120 pounds of food to the local food bank. Announcements in the morning played the Ramadan Song and the occasion was recognized on the school sign.

Currently, SARC  is working on a “Let’s Talk About…” discussion series, a program being developed to present to Grade 9 and 10 students, providing education and tools to tackle discussions around racism and inclusion.>

Grand Erie’s mission is to work together with all communities to build a culture of Learning, Well-Being and Belonging. The students and educators of North Park’s Student Anti-Racism Coalition are inspirational in their commitment to help make their school a safe and welcoming space for all students and staff.