On Friday, November 8th, our whole school community came together for Odd Socks Day, joining Prep and Senior Schools for the Odd Socks Day Challenge. The day raised over £1,000 for Samaritans and created a great sense of community across all ages. Below is a piece on Odd Socks Day written by a large selection of First Form:
You know that problem finding that you are missing a sock, the rain cloud of annoyance that engulfs you? Well, last Friday our prayers had been answered by ODD SOCKS DAY!
Do you ever wonder what odd sock day was for? Odd Sock Day at Sutton Valence School is a day we celebrate difference and the power of diversity and unity. Put another way; not being the same as the current trends, it is being that person who stands out from the crowd.
At first, I saw nobody else was wearing odd socks, so I felt embarrassed, like I was the ‘odd one out’. It gave me more confidence when I saw some others who were also wearing odd socks, so I carried on wearing them. During tutor time we saw lots more students wearing odd socks. We also wore sandals, crocs and sliders. My friends and I, mixed and matched socks with each other, and enjoyed observing everyone’s different types, and colours of socks and footwear.
I lined up at lunch with my friends, thinking it was going to be normal. But it was quite different. Instead of apple crumble or cake with custard we had ice cream. As we queued in by the hall, we all heard uproar as our friends saw the array of different sauces and sprinkles all neatly lined up. This ice cream was amazing, because we could choose our own sauces and sprinkles. There was choices of toffee and chocolate, and we could even have marshmallows and sprinkles. The sprinkles represented difference and pride.
In assembly we even noticed that Mr Carr had different shoes and socks! He spoke about how being the odd one out isn’t a bad thing. He talked to us about differences, and standing out of the crowd and most importantly how this can be a good thing, and maybe even change the future. He told us that, when Jesus fed the 5000, it would have never happened, if a little boy hadn’t given up his lunch and shared it with the community. Others were selfish and did not share a crumb. This shows us, that doing just a little something, that is different and kind to others, you can be an amazing influence on all people. It can save lives and build careers.
Being the odd one out isn’t always a bad thing. Standing your ground for what you believe is always the right thing. You don’t need to feel like you’re missing out if you disagree with your friends. Mr Carr showed a picture of lots of crows on one wire and only one on another and asked, “Which do you notice?” One of the things Mr Carr talked about (that stood out to me the most) was his penguin collection. He had many, but his favourite was a glass penguin that shined the colours of the rainbow. There was also a prize for the best odd socks and Nicole T in First Form won it with clown striped Tights, Gravity sock, Ugg sock and a scrunchie.
We laughed all day and made many memories. Celebrating Odd socks day is an awesome way to spread kindness and embrace diversity. This is a great way to show everybody that being different isn’t a bad thing. Differences make us stronger and let us be ourselves. If everybody was the same, life would be boring!
The money we raised for odd socks day was over £1000. Almost everyone participated to raise money for Samaritans. Today was not all about socks though, it was changing lives for the better. We believe, here at Sutton Valence School, that everyone should feel included and safe to be themselves. It unites us, and celebrates the concept of Unity, Differences, and Diversity.
Happy odd socks day and remember it’s good to stand out.
