Heritage Harmonies: Honouring Our Communities

On Thursday 8 October, students from across the College came together for Heritage Harmonies, our celebration of Black History Month. The evening brought music, dance, spoken word and more, all celebrating Black culture.

This year's theme from the official Black History Month organisation is "Honouring Our Communities", and the evening was a wonderful reflection of the Hockerill community.

A vibrant first half

Our Year 13 MCs, Temi Bishi, Nicole Colmenar, Joesphina Joes-Adom and Zachary Osawaye, guided us through the evening. They opened with a fashion show and a Mauritian dance, with some beautiful, vibrant outfits on display.

What followed was a journey through musical genres, from Erykah Badu, Beyoncé and Des'ree to the iconic classics "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King and "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley. The dance troupe gave a fantastic, energetic performance, choreographed by Isabel Ziteya.

"What we do with that diversity"

The first half closed with a moving address by Hockerill parent Mrs Nyerngoor Korda Hewitt on the theme of community. She reminded us that history is not only made by famous people:

"Communities are built by ordinary people doing things that can seem quite ordinary."

She spoke about Black history as a story of contribution as well as struggle, adding: "Black British history is not separate from British history. It is British history."

Turning to Hockerill itself, she said:

"Diversity alone does not create a community. What we do with that diversity does."

Tributes, poetry and song

After refreshments provided by Interact Club, the second half opened with a tribute to writer and critic Bonnie Greer OBE, who died in September. Greer wrote the acclaimed musical drama Marilyn and Ella, about jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald and film star Marilyn Monroe. Isabel Ziteya and Esme Bailey performed "The Front Row from the Mocambo", a sketch based on the real-life friendship between the two women in the 1950s. It flowed seamlessly into a joyful rendition of Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm".

Students also wrote and performed some wonderful original spoken word. A particular highlight was "It Is Us" by Ava Robinson (Year 12).

The evening continued with Hockerill Voices singing an exuberant, original spiritual for a cappella voices. Blossom Nyabunze (Year 10) and Nyla Korsa Acquah (Year 12) gave powerful vocal solos. Renae Ijeoma, Nyla Korsa Acquah, Naomi Waritay and Isabel Ziteya (Year 12) then performed "Woman" by Little Simz featuring Cleo Sol, a celebration of women, confidence and identity.

Thank you

A huge thank you to all our wonderful performers and to every student who helped behind the scenes. Thank you also to Mrs Appiah, Mrs Osafo and Diversity Club, and to Mrs Morrison and the Music Department, for making the evening possible.

Mrs Johanna Waritay

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Lead