Dancing, languages, food and fun as Shrewsbury kids learn about foreign cultures at school's International Day
Primary school pupils enjoyed learning dances and sampling food from other nations and foreign language lessons on its International Day.
Coleham Primary School in Shrewsbury brought children, families and the wider community together for the vibrant celebration of global cultures this week.
Organised by Madame Jones, the school’s French teacher, the day offered pupils a rich programme of cultural experiences.
Children took part in German lessons, Aboriginal, Cuban and Brazilian dance workshops and listened to talks from guest speakers.
A major highlight was the school’s international food market, where families sampled tasters from around the world.
Pupils contributed homemade tasters inspired by a country they hold dear, reflecting the range of backgrounds within the school community.
The school worked in collaboration with Shrewsbury Food Hub, which has donated surplus food saved from supermarkets — “putting food in bellies, not bins” — to support the event and educate the children about food waste.
The Eatwise Chinese takeaway located opposite the school joined the celebration with ex-Coleham pupil Alvin serving choices from the menu to pupils in a kind gesture to mark Chinese New Year and the year of the Fire Horse.
Tracy Othen, business manager at Coleham Primary School, said: “This event showcases the joy of sharing food with those you love, with pupils creating thoughtful dishes from passed‑down family recipes.
“We put community at the heart of everything we do, so it was only natural we would invite our neighbouring businesses to join us.
“We know that this time of year is especially difficult for hospitality, so we want to rally our families to support the local businesses that support us.”
Local chef Steve Guy, who regularly supports the school with food‑based projects, praised the initiative.
“I love that Coleham Primary School holds exciting events to promote a love of good food from an early age.
“Everyone deserves access to good food. It is a tough climate for small independent hospitality businesses at the moment, so it’s great to see the school doing their bit to promote restaurants with families and encouraging parents to get behind them.
“Every meal makes a big difference to family‑owned businesses who are faced with enormous challenges to keep going.”
Coleham Primary School hopes the event will strengthen community ties while giving pupils a meaningful opportunity to explore the world through food, language and culture.
