Oakwood Junior School Newsletter
Celebrating Black History Month – October 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

October is here – which means it’s time to celebrate Black History Month!

At Oakwood Junior School, we’re proud to celebrate diversity and learn from the incredible stories of individuals who have shaped our world. This year, each year group will be exploring the life and legacy of a remarkable figure and creating work to share during Parents’ Evening.

Here’s what each year group will be learning about:

• Year 3 – Wilma Rudolph
  Olympic sprinter who overcame polio to become a world champion.
• Year 4 – Faith Ringgold
  Artist and author known for her vibrant story quilts and powerful messages.
• Year 5 – Phillis Wheatley
  The first published African-American poet, whose work broke barriers.
• Year 6 – Lillian Bader
  One of the first mixed-race women to join the British armed forces, whose legacy continues to inspire.

Each class will be producing a mix of creative work – including writing, art, and research – to celebrate their chosen figure. These wonderful pieces will form part of a colourful and meaningful display in the school hall for families to enjoy during Parents’ Evening.

We’ve also joined a live assembly broadcast with schools across the UK in collaboration with Picture News, learning about this year’s Black History Month theme: “Standing Firm in Your Power and Pride.”
Children have been discussing what this means to them and learning about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., exploring how they stood firm with power and pride. We were also lucky enough to take part in a Zoom call with Radio 1 presenter, Swarzy, who shared her thoughts on this year’s theme.

As the month continues, we’ll be celebrating Standing Firm in Your Power and Pride through a variety of activities and assemblies. Keep an eye on our Class Dojo pages to see what we’ve been up to, and don’t miss our beautiful displays at Parents’ Evening in a few weeks!

You can also explore more about influential Black figures in history by visiting:
🔗 BBC Bitesize – Black History Month

Thank you for your continued support in helping our children learn, reflect, and celebrate the achievements of these inspiring individuals.