Leadership Report
Celebrating Harmony Day – A Growing Tradition at Our School
Our Harmony Day celebrations are just around the corner! In Week 8 (17th March - 21st March), we will come together as a school community to celebrate the rich diversity that makes our school and country so special. Throughout the week, students will participate in a range of activities that explore different cultures and traditions, strengthening our sense of inclusion and belonging.
As one of the most multicultural nations in the world, Australia thrives on diversity, making it a wonderful place to live. Harmony Week is all about embracing inclusiveness, showing respect, and celebrating the cultural backgrounds that shape our community.
Dress-Up & Parade - Thursday 20th March
Due to our Senior School participating in Lightning Premiership sports on Friday, we will be having our major celebration day for Harmony Day on Thursday 20th March. Students are encouraged to wear their cultural attire or dress in orange, the official color of Harmony Week. Orange represents communication, meaningful conversations, and the freedom of ideas. Whether it’s an orange shirt, socks, or a simple accessory, we want everyone to feel comfortable participating.
Our Harmony Day Parade will be held at 9:00 am in the gym, showcasing the incredible cultural diversity within our school.
Cultural Performances & Contributions
To make this celebration even more special, we invite students and families to share cultural performances—whether it’s a traditional dance, a short speech, a poem, or a presentation about a special tradition.
- Live performances are welcome!
- Pre-recorded dance performances can also be submitted—just send the music, student names, and duration to the Orchard Park email.
- If your child would like to share a short speech or poem about their culture, please email the office to be included in the schedule.
We are so excited to see this tradition continue to grow in our school, and we can’t wait to see our students celebrating with pride, joy, and cultural spirit on Harmony Day!
School Carnival
The countdown is on—our school carnival is just one week away! Our incredible Parents and Friends team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring together an amazing day filled with rides, attractions, food vans, and fantastic stalls. This event is all about fun, connection, and celebrating our wonderful school community.
We warmly invite all our school families, along with extended family, friends, and neighbours, to join in the festivities. A special highlight this year is the dunk tank! Throughout the day, a lineup of brave staff members will take their turn in the hot seat—ready to be dunked. Fingers crossed for warm weather!
Don’t forget—unlimited ride tickets are available at a discounted pre-purchase price. Get yours before the big day!
Senior School Camp
Our Senior School students have had an unforgettable time at Sovereign Hill! Throughout the camp, they have embraced every opportunity to learn, explore, and immerse themselves in the rich history of the Gold Rush era. From panning for gold and attending the famous Aura light show to experiencing life in the 1850s, our students have shown enthusiasm, curiosity, and a fantastic attitude.They have gained valuable insights into Australia’s history while also developing independence, teamwork, and resilience.
A huge thank you to our dedicated staff for making this experience possible and to our students for representing our school so proudly. Well done to everyone on an amazing camp!
Exciting Cultural Excursion for Senior School Students
The action and adventure doesn’t stop for a big chunk of our Senior School students, with a fully subsidised cultural excursion taking place this Monday. This incredible opportunity will see 50 students travel to the city to visit two cultural museums, deepening their intercultural understanding and promoting inclusivity within our school and the wider community. Being part of this highly sought-after pilot program is an honour, and we are so grateful for the opportunity.
Students will travel by bus (with Mr Jagoe, Mr Hodge and Mrs Bell) and visit both the Holocaust Museum and the Immigration Museum. These experiences are directly linked to the Year 5 and 6 curriculum, providing meaningful learning opportunities that connect with their studies.
Holocaust Museum – The Hidden Program
This age-appropriate program introduces students (ages 10-14) to the Holocaust through the experiences of seven children who survived in hiding and later migrated to Melbourne. Their powerful stories highlight resilience, bravery, and the kindness of those who helped them survive, using testimonials, photos, and artifacts to provide a child’s perspective.
Immigration Museum – Cultural Histories Program
Students will participate in a 45-minute guided program, followed by an exploration of the museum’s galleries. They will interact with objects that showcase a variety of cultural histories and make personal connections to their own family heritage.
We look forward to this enriching experience and can’t wait to share our experience with the wider community in an upcoming newsletter.