Harmony Day

Flippin' the Script at Craigieburn Secondary College

The Sisters and Brothers project, run by the Cohealth Arts Generator brought its hip-hop based expertise addressing race-based discrimination to Craigieburn Secondary College last Wednesday to celebrate Harmony Day.

The acclaimed program (Winner of VicHealth Promotion award 2015 and winner of 2017 Human Rights Commission Racism It Stops with Me Award) is supported by VicHealth, The Australia Council, and the RE Ross Trust. It is run by experienced artists and educators from a range of cultural backgrounds including indigenous Australians.

Through open dialogue the program aims to generate empathy through ongoing conversation and action amongst students and teachers. Flippin the Script uses pillars of hip hop including emceeing, deejaying, and breakdancing to connect and engage students to have fun and critically respond to their contemporary worlds.

The day began with Welcome to Country with the school’s Indigenous Leader and featured workshops in theatre, singing, spoken word and rapping.

Students explored many opportunities to address discrimination on the day which was enjoyed by all.

Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on March 21st and is a significant date on the school calendar – where students are encouraged to celebrate the cultural diversity of our country. It is also the United Nations International Day  for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.