Students at Saltus learnt about cross-cultural communication as part of a diversity conference.

From November 29 to December 3, five students, including the school’s year 2 diversity prefects, participated in the virtual National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a gathering of upper school student leaders from across the US and abroad.

The multicultural, multiracial conference, led by a team of trained adult and peer facilitators, focused on “self-reflecting, forming allies and building community”.

Massassi Maxwell-Smith, a diversity prefect, described the conference as “life-changing”.

She said: “I have had the chance to learn about people’s perspectives on a broader scale and how to handle conflicts without putting my safety in harm’s way as well as shift my own views on certain racial topics.”

Joanna Santiago, a Saltus year 1 student, said: “I met so many new people, learnt valuable life skills and ways to increase diversity awareness and acceptance.”

Oscar Harrison, a Saltus year 1 student, described the conference as “an awesome, creative experience,” adding: “There are norms that we follow to remind us how to respect and make the most of the conversations.

“We all work together to spread how we feel from our own experiences and it creates this unspoken bond that I love.”

Wesley Simon, assistant director of senior school, and six members of Saltus’s faculty also attended the virtual NAIS People of Colour Conference which took place at the same time.