IB Extravaganza was a 2-week commemoration of IB philosophies and how we could put them into practice as IB learners, students and teachers alike. While there were a plethora of events, one that really stood out was a student-led non-conventional event, “Rainbow is the New Accurate” that aimed to celebrate diversity and individual differences!
By incorporating IB learner profiles such as being open-minded, caring, and reflective, the event became a non-judgemental, safe space for faculty and students to conduct an exchange of ideas, beliefs, values, and share of personal experiences that shaped their unique identities. Our teachers and students both contributed to the activity by bringing in objects that they felt defined their identity best or played a vital role in shaping their lives - these items ranged from ethnic clothing, religious books, jewelry and pens that held private and intimate value to the learners. All these objects helped bring out different aspects of humans that make us unique: the way we eat, the languages we speak, what we wear, what faith we follow and even something as mundane as our names.
After this, there was a moderated yet open discussion about acceptance, pertaining specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community and how the world has evolved over time to become more understanding and compassionate. Some scholars adopted a more solution-oriented approach to the topic and wanted to help reduce the struggles faced by marginalized communities whereas others furthered the idea of acceptance by sharing personal anecdotes about their own experiences or their friends’ experiences.
All in all, this community effort to foster a culture of unity in Symbiosis by adopting IB learner profiles was a success! It was a step forward in the history of the school as there was a meaningful and respectful conversation about acceptance and diversification. Just as the colours of the rainbow are all different, distinct and unique to themselves and yet they merge together to form a shade of brilliant, pure white, we hope our peers and faculty will take on these attributes of the rainbow and thrive as a school that allows self-expression and individualism whilst maintaining a sense of community, belonging and togetherness.