Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Chatsworth’s inception is rooted in diversity and inclusion. Founding Principal and Director Jennifer Gay’s purpose in creating this school was to ensure that every expatriate student in Singapore, regardless of background or ability, would have an opportunity to receive a quality international education. In its nearly 30 years operating in Singapore, Chatsworth has grown and developed and, so too, has what it means to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Our work is a continuous journey for everyone in our community and I am extremely proud to work alongside everyone within this committee as we continue to ensure that everyone feels a strong sense of belonging here at Chatsworth. 

I am very proud of Chatsworth for recognising the importance and value of DEIJ in our school. It allows all staff, parents and students to grow and better understand the people who exist in our community. Sometimes, to achieve this, complex and even uncomfortable conversations must occur. DEIJ creates a culture and an environment where people can feel safe to share, be heard and mostly learn by listening.

I joined the DEI group as I am passionate to support and promote different groups of individuals, including people of different ages, races and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations. My expertise is technology so I really want to focus on this within DEIJ.

I joined DEIJ because I am very proud of how hard Chatsworth works on building a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff and the learning community. Our school is committed to celebrating diversity, equity, building relationships between members of our community and contributing to social change.

Chatsworth’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is deeply rooted in its desire to create a safe and caring environment for all.  Acknowledging and celebrating our differences at Chatsworth strengthens our connection to one another. I am proud of the work the DEIJ committee has done to date and excited for its future initiatives.

Over the last 14 years, I have been so proud of Chatsworth for being a school that has always welcomed and celebrated diversity, and stood firmly against intolerance. My personal interest in DEIJ is understanding how school policies inform a culture that continually strives towards diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

I feel privileged to be able to be part of the incredibly inclusive and diverse Chatsworth community. I believe that creating an equally diverse and inclusive environment for the students and staff can only enhance what we stand for. I have a particular interest in decolonizing the curriculum and incorporating more voices and perspectives. Being part of the DEIJ committee allows me to be a part of these vital conversations.

At Chatsworth, we know that all students can flourish and achieve at high levels if adequately supported by their classroom and school environment, regardless of their background and identity. Every child is different and will have different needs. It is not enough for schools to provide the same structures and support to students - that is, to treat students equally - because this ignores their differences. Equity means creating the conditions that enable every student to succeed. That is what we are doing here at Chatsworth, and for that reason I knew I wanted to be involved with our DEIJ team.

I joined DEIJ because I think it is important to ensure that everyone is treated equally and every individual has a voice and chance to share what they think and feel. By creating a safe environment, it ensures that staff, students, and all members of the school feel that they have a space to speak and a place that they feel included. These help to create a strong community, which further ameliorates what Chatsworth is known for.

Participating in the DEIJ group has proven to be a highly enriching experience. It provides me with the opportunity to actively contribute to the creation of a more inclusive environment within the Chatsworth community. The work we do allows for a meaningful impact, fostering a celebration of diversity and advocating for justice for every individual. The collaboration with like-minded individuals who share a deep commitment to positive change is truly inspiring. Together, we strive to make a difference and promote a culture of inclusivity that resonates throughout our community.

Having students coming from diverse backgrounds and cultures and watching them deal with their differences, helped me with my decision to be part of our DEIJ committee. Having been with Chatsworth for over 14 years, I feel privileged to be part of this beautiful diverse community. We have always listened to the views and preferences of each child and try to foster a culture of ‘coming home’ where everyone feels safe and has a sense of belonging. I would like to be part of this committee to make this concrete and continue to advocate for complete acceptance and equality.

I am very proud to work at Chatsworth, a school which allows for open and honest communication. Over the last 3 years, my experience here has been very rich and rewarding, and I have benefitted from working with students and staff from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. I feel very privileged indeed to have listened to a wide range of different points of view on various issues. I am pleased to say that we already have a strong school which is wonderfully diverse. I joined DEIJ to be part of the ongoing conversations aimed at maintaining a strong culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

I believe acknowledging discrimination and the  harm they inflict upon individuals and society is necessary to build a just and equitable future. At Chatsworth, we have the responsibility to create an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect, and accountability where everyone feels they belong. DEIJ inspires me and I am a member of this group to contribute and be committed in realizing this shared vision.

When I joined the Chatsworth community just over a year ago, I was immediately impressed with the welcoming, warm environment, rich in culture and diversity. This is the perfect place to continue the discussion regarding diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. I feel privileged to be working alongside all Chatsworth stakeholders to support and celebrate all individuals from all backgrounds. I am excited about the work already done and even more excited about the road ahead.

I am deeply motivated to be a part of the DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) committee because I believe that education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future and fostering a more equitable society. I am dedicated to the idea that change starts from within, and that includes our educational institutions. As a member of this committee, I am eager to collaborate with others to infuse our curriculum with diverse perspectives, voices, and experiences. By doing so, we can ensure that our students receive a well-rounded and inclusive education that prepares them to thrive in a multicultural world.I aspire to work with the committee to influence school policies and practices that promote diversity and equity, fostering a culture of inclusivity that extends throughout the entire school community. My commitment to these ideals drives my desire to be a proactive member of the DEIJ committee and make a meaningful impact on our school's culture and curriculum.

As a librarian, I believe in the importance of diversity in books and in providing a library collection that offers “mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors” (metaphors used by Dr. Rudime Sims Bishop in connection with children’s books), so that readers can see themselves reflected in books, have opportunities to look into the realities of others as well as possibilities to actively engage with these different worlds and experiences. As a member of the DEIJ Committee, I am supported in this work and have the opportunity to grow in my knowledge around DEIJ so that together we develop a collection in which every voice is heard and valued.

I realised that there were not many older, white males in our DEIJ and I felt challenged to join the team! I am deeply concerned that it is my gender and generation that has impacted and affected diversity and equity issues in recent times. I want to be a part of the change moving forward. I am pleased to work with this inspirational group!

I am committed to ensuring that every student, faculty member, and staff at Chatsworth International School has the chance to achieve their full potential. I value a community where everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to be seen and heard. To this end, I work towards identifying and eliminating barriers to learning and participation that may disproportionately affect some over others.

I believe the discussion surrounding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice is often nuanced and multi-dimensional. I advocate for open dialogue, critical thought, and a willingness to scrutinise and reassess our approaches. For me, the true aim is to cultivate an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to contribute and benefit from our collective pursuit of educational excellence.

I believe acknowledging discrimination and the  harm they inflict upon individuals and society is necessary to build a just and equitable future. At Chatsworth, we have the responsibility to create an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect, and accountability where everyone feels they belong. DEIJ inspires me and I am a member of this group to contribute and be committed in realizing this shared vision.

Working with the Chatsworth DEIJ community allows me to support my students as they discover the ways in which their many identities intersect. Approaching curriculum and pastoral activities with an equity and justice lens allows students to ask important questions about the world and learn how to create a school where everyone belongs.

DEIJ is important to me as an artist teacher and a member of the Chatsworth community. As an educator it’s important to me that my classroom is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for creativity and self expression for all. From the perspective of me as a human being; equality in all things is very important to me. I have a particular interest in women/girls rights and advocate for art as a way to express internal dialogues and meaningful conversations.

Knowledge is the remedy to ignorance. One must be equipped with knowledge, understanding and compassion towards differences. Coming from a comparative religion perspective, the Quran mentioned, “O mankind, We have created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another” and the Bible emphasised to love thy neighbour. Religious perspective is often overlooked in secular education and we hope to restore and share the beauty of religions while bridging differences through this platform.

Healthy ecosystems rely on diversity.  Schools need not only embrace diversity by allowing everyone to have a voice, but are also at the forefront of breaking down barriers and allowing people to not just be included, but to have a sense of belonging in a complex world.