The school festival that brings the world together

A bird's - eye-view of a crowd of pupils, teachers and parents at the Wood Farm festival watching a musical performance. Several children on stage are playing drums, lead by a teacher. A bunting of flags from around the world is hung overhead. It's a sunny day.Image source, Wood Farm Primary School
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Wood Farm Primary School's International Festival celebrates the multicultural nature of the school

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"We just want to celebrate and recognise the different communities that make up our school."

Hundreds of children, parents and their community had a free feast of cultures with world food, music, dancing and stories at the annual International Festival at Wood Farm Primary School in Oxford last week.

The event celebrates the multicultural nature of the school where 49 languages are spoken.

Assistant headteacher Anna Neal described it as "a really nice way to start the beginning of the school year" and said the event was "getting bigger and better every year".

Children chasing giant soap bubbles around the school playground. It is a sunny day.Image source, Wood Farm Primary School
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A bubbleologist was one of the highlights of this year's event

Food was provided by parents, pupils, a local pub and budding young chefs from the nursery.

Visitors also enjoyed displays from each class on the different countries represented in the school.

Ms Neal said: "It's a really positive vibe, everyone's invited."

Children joined in Greek, Spanish and K-pop style dances and community contributions included steel drumming and the Oxford University Morris Dancers.

A boy and a girl wearing traditional yellow outfits from The Gambia are walking down the school stage. The girl is smiling while looking down. There are many children and parents behind them looking at the camera. It is sunny.Image source, Wood Farm Primary School
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The event was a chance for people to come wearing their traditional or national dress

Teaching assistant Samaneh Aliasgari described it as "like travelling the world in just one evening".

Obhilasha, 8, said she had also learned about her home country Bangladesh.

"I felt really proud and show-offish for some reason," she said.

Parent Gemma Gardner said it was "really lovely" for the small community to have an event where "we can all come together".

Ms Neal added: "It feels like they're valued and celebrated as well as celebrating our own culture, so it's a really nice of mix of both.

"It's a big part of our calendar now, so we will do it again next September."

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