Neurodiversity Week
In Week 8 of this term (March 18 – March 22), the Diversity Committee will be organising Fort Street’s inaugural Neurodiversity Celebration Week, an annual week to celebrate and raise awareness of neurological differences. We want to make the school an even more inclusive place; to combat stereotypes, unconscious ableism, and barriers to using sensory accommodations – making school a safer place for everyone. Neurodiversity Celebration Week was founded in 2018 by Siena Castellon who wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived. As a teenager who is autistic and has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, her experience has been that people often focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. Siena wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths. If the terms ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘neurodivergent’ are new to you, and you would like to do some more reading, please click here or here for some more information!
This is a really important week and we really want everyone in the school community to show respect for people brave enough to share their perspectives. Parents – especially if neurodiversity isn’t a topic that you often talk about at home – please talk to your children about being aware and respectful of this event. It will be heaps of fun but we need the engagement and respect that we’d expect when talking about any other form of marginalisation. Neurodivergent people are often invisibly discriminated against in many ways; please make sure you’re informed. Here are some great videos that can help you to learn more:
We’ve got a busy week planned full of awareness-raising activities! At Monday lunchtime we’re holding an “Introduction to Neurodiversity” seminar in the Lecture Theatre which will give a general overview of neurodiversity, explaining terms, labels, and ways to be accommodating and inclusive so we encourage everybody to come along regardless of how much you know. Similarly, we’re holding another seminar on Wednesday lunch about Tourette Syndrome. Please come along, students and teachers alike to learn more about ways to support and celebrate neurodivergent people at school.
Keep an eye out in the library for the display put together by Ms Page and the Diversity Committee celebrating neurodiverse stories and voices.
In the SSO room (next to W19 in Wilkins building) our Student Support Officer Rose will be running zine making workshops at recess on Monday and Tuesday, and DIY fidget bracelet making at recess on Wednesday and Thursday. If anyone would like to share a story about their experiences as a neurodivergent person please approach Rose in the SSO room – she will be posting an “Own Voices” section of student experiences on the SSO portal.
On Wednesday we will hold our main awareness raising and fundraising event. We are encouraging students and teachers to wear sunglasses to school to raise awareness about their use as a sensory aid. We ask you to please come to the Lecture Theatre at lunch for a school photo. We hope to see everyone donning yellow accessories, or badges which the diversity committee are making for you all. We’re collecting donations for Yellow Ladybugs in period 1, an Australian charity that works with communities to provide support for autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse folks so bring your gold coins on Wednesday.
We’re looking forward to a wonderful Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and hope to see the school community engaging with and celebrating alongside us!
Sofie Andersen and Kit White on behalf of the Diversity Committee.