Multicultural Week
Monday – Podcast & Library Display
Multicultural Week began in the library with a Podcast Listening Party led by Year 10 students Zarah Powell and Edie Slater. As part of the Culture Committee, Zarah and Edie first developed their podcasting skills at a workshop at Arts Centre Melbourne before creating and recording their own episode.
For Multicultural Week, they decided to interview English teacher Mr Johnson about his cultural heritage and bilingual family. During the conversation, Mr Johnson also spoke about the importance of reading books with authentic cultural representation to his own children.
Well done to Zarah and Edie for encouraging our school community to listen with care and curiosity to the stories of others.
Lastly, a big thank you goes to Lucy and the Library team for creating a beautiful display of books from around the world, which complemented the podcast event perfectly.
Tuesday – Cultural Dances & Traditional Dress
On Tuesday, the courtyard outside the STEAM Centre transformed into a lively hub of music, movement, and celebration. The event opened with a heartfelt First Nations Welcome to Country and a moving traditional dance performance, honouring the land and the deep culture of its Traditional Custodians.
Ruby in Year 11 confidently MC'd as students soaked up the sunshine and enjoyed a vibrant lineup of cultural dance performances — with energy peaking when the entire crowd joined in the Zorba dance! The courtyard came alive with colour and sound with many students and staff proudly wearing traditional dress, showcasing the rich diversity that makes our school community so special.
Thank you to talented Year 11 students Lola, Amelia, Ella, Emily and Kim who added a visual tribute by painting flags from around the globe, symbolising unity, belonging, and global connection.
Friday – Short Film Festival
Multicultural Week concluded in the Auditorium with an offering of three powerful foreign-language films, each subtitled in English.
Warya by Miski Omar (Somali) — a delightful mockumentary about the universality of childhood and imagination.
When the Sky was Blue by Rae Choi (Mandarin) — a moving portrait of family, longing, and loss.
Kaya by Lara Köse (Turkish) — the journey of a young orphan in search of faith.
Staff Name Stories
As part of Multicultural Week, staff were invited to share the stories behind their names with students and colleagues. A simple question — “Is there a story behind your name?” — opened the door to meaningful conversations in classrooms and the staffroom alike.
These stories, often surprising, delightful, or inspiring, highlighted the personal histories, cultural connections, and family traditions that names carry, creating new opportunities for understanding and connection across our school community.
Final reflection
Multicultural Week was a vibrant celebration of the stories, traditions, and creativity that make our school community unique. Highlights included thoughtful conversations in the library, staff sharing the stories behind their names, lively music, dance, food and art in the courtyard, and global storytelling on the big screen.
A big thank you to all the students and staff whose energy and talents made the week such a memorable success.
Taku Mbudzi
Multicultural Education Aide