It’s week two of an experimental three-week school pilot programme designed to reduce racism in an ordinary class of primary school students.
Hosted by Marc Fennell and guided by a team of educators, this week is a chance for the students to expand their knowledge of racism, learn how it works and how they can stand up to it.
They start the week in a giant hedge maze, hidden inside are four treasure chests. For those who find one they will receive a huge prize that will be the envy of the entire class. But when the winners are asked if they are prepared to share their special privilege for their classmates, we will find out how hard inclusiveness can be.
This will result in a deeper conversation where students will reveal their own personal stories about inclusion and for those who have not experienced being excluded it will be an eye-opening experience.
The teachers will gain an insight into how history can embrace different perspectives when they embark on a tour of Sydney’s statues with Associate Professor Anna Clark. They’ll discover there is a more accurate account of Australia’s colonial past that is important in understanding our Country’s history and building an understanding of Indigenous history.
Then the kids will be joined comedian Nazeem Hussain who will spend a session with the students looking at how race is portrayed on screen.
The final lesson for the week is an experiment aimed at cultural exchange and growing cross group friendships. Will this simple task allow the students to talk more freely about cultural difference?
Production credits: The School That Tried To End Racism is a Screentime Australia production for the ABC. Major production investment from the ABC in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Screentime Executive Producers: Deborah Spinocchia and Johnny Lowry. Series Director: John Karabelas. ABC Commissioning Editor: Julie Hanna. ABC Managing Editor Factual: Richard Huddleston. ABC Head of Factual and Culture: Jennifer Collins.
Based on The School That Tried to End Racism: an original programme by Proper Content Limited licensed and distributed by Banijay Rights Limited.
