South London rapper Krept, one half of duo Krept and Konan, visited Rotherhithe school Bacon’s College as part of black history month celebrations.
Gipsy Hill-born Krept, whose real name is Casyo Johnson, took part in a question-and-answer session before listening to students’ own songs.
Krept was just one of several successful black people who visited the school to share their stories and experiences with students in October. Celebrations ended with an ‘evening of excellence’ on Thursday (October 21), including dance, drama, music, gospel, drumming, samba, art and a fashion show with hand-made clothes.
Other visitors included:
- Lianne Sanderson, a Sky Sports pundit and former professional footballer with Chelsea and Arsenal, who discussed her experiences as a trailblazer in women’s football before taking part in a training session with the girls’ football team
- Dr Desire Onwochei, a consultant anaesthetist at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, who spoke to sixth form students and aspiring medics about careers in medicine and research
- Destynee Onwochei, the author of children’s book Tobias, the Dream Adventurer, who hosted an English workshop
- Lillian Okolie, CEO of the Reach Out Project and chartered accountant, who spoke to Business Studies students about how she went from being an accountant to starting up her own charity
- Matthew Azubike, a property developer at Grand Estates, who shared his entrepreneurial tips
- Daniel Opokubaah and Khamisi, owners of the Drums and Flats chicken shop, who held a Dragon’s Den style workshop and provided food for the evening of excellence.
- Andria Asare Anderson, an afro hair specialist, who worked with sixth form and textiles students on their hair for the evening of excellence
- Nostalgia Steel Band, who held drumming workshops and performed on the evening of excellence
Bacon’s College students spoke out about the positive experiences they had in their school’s black history month.
Shenika, in Year 8, said: “I’ve really enjoyed all the things we have been doing in school this month, it’s been really exciting, the fashion show, making an African dress, rehearsing poems. As a black person, black history month is a topic that’s close to me, and it’s important for me to be able to express it as my own.”
Head girl Tiger Lily Chin, in Year 13, said: “The talk yesterday [from consultant anaesthetist Dr Desire Onwochei] was very empowering. To hear from a woman who is very successful and comes from a humble beginning has really inspired me.”
Joshua in, Year 8, added: “I have learned so much about black history during this month and this helps me to understand how our lives have changed during our time in Britain. I also performed as part of the samba band and as one of the DJs for the fashion show in the Evening of Excellence. It was incredible.”
Bacon’s College staff said they wanted to make this year’s black history month celebrations the biggest ever.
The school’s chaplain, Reverend Nicky Teverson, said: “Bacon’s College is a Christian school and as one body we celebrate black history month, working together to unite in humanity and deepen our understanding of ourselves and community.
“Throughout October we have been focusing on the diverse, rich and at times challenging aspects of black history: Through assemblies discussing identity and belonging to historical facts focusing on the journey and arrival of Caribbean and African people to UK. Black history has influenced who we are today – it is part of us.”
The three girls from Bacons wearing beautiful attire were not mentioned anywhere in these source. It’s true you can’t name every student but they did a very beautiful presentation. It doesn’t explain what the three black girls were presenting. Editor should have done better.