Wellacre Celebrates Black History Month

Posted at 2:07 pm on 23rd November, 2017

Wellacre students celebrate national Black History Month

In October, Wellacre students celebrated Black History Month along with the rest of the UK.

Inspired by a national campaign asking the public to vote for nominees for the ‘Greatest Black Briton’, Wellacre students were given the opportunity to vote in school.

Mrs O’Neill, Leader of Humanities, held special assemblies for all year groups focusing on why we celebrate Black History Month and also prompting students to think about possible nominees for their chosen historical figure.

Topping the Wellacre poll jointly were Mo Farrah and Walter Tull.

Students recognised Mo Farrah’s sporting achievements, how he has overcome adversity and continually strives to be the best.

They were also moved by Walter Tull’s story.  He was one of  the first black professional footballers in this country. During the First World War, Tull served in the Footballers' Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, and fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 30 May 1917. Tull fought in Italy in 1917–18, and was mentioned in dispatches for "gallantry and coolness" while leading his company of 26 men on a raiding party into enemy territory. Tull was the first black army officer to lead troops. He returned to France in 1918, and was killed in action on 25 March during the Spring Offensive.

Well done Wellacre students for being actively engaged in this year’s Black History Month.