This week was Harmony Week, which is a national celebration across Australia highlighting inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
On Friday the 24th of March, the St Paul’s students celebrated Harmony Day. Students and staff were encouraged to come dressed in traditional dress or the colour orange as a symbol of harmony in our community. It was great to acknowledge the vast array of students and their families, as well as our staff that come from many parts of the world. We are very lucky to be able to learn about so many different cultures and to be able to recognise and value the way in which our cultures shape our school.
Students participated in many activities, including our yarn bombing project, and lessons and discussions surrounding what Harmony Day represents and embodies. Together, they discussed all the different ways we can learn about other cultures. For example, through art, language, music, sport and food.
In our increasingly global society, we are conscious that one child may identify with being ‘an Australian’ quite differently to another. Providing opportunities to discuss this, reveal perspectives, and respectfully wrestle with different thoughts and experiences energises connections.
