Especean

Wellbeing - Senior School

Harmony Day - Thursday 21 March

During the week, the College has acknowledged Harmony Day with a number of activities being undertaken in homeroom and PCLs that are aimed at acknowledging the diversity of our College community within the broader context of Australian society. 

 

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Ms Megan Santiago (Student Wellbeing Coordinator), Student Leaders and staff in preparing initiatives. 

 

Harmony Day is celebrated throughout Australia on 21 March. Since it was first held in 1999, Harmony Day has grown to become a significant annual day for Australians to come together and celebrate our nation’s cultural diversity, based on the successful integration of migrants into our community. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. 

 

Growing up in rural NSW, the concept of diversity was often a reflection of the cliched corner store/milk bar operated by the Greek immigrant family OR the lone Chinese restaurant with the standardised menu offerings. It wasn’t until I moved to larger urban areas such as Newcastle and Sydney for teaching roles in the 1990’s that I truly came to appreciate the power of our multi-cultural country. I recall being able to interact equally with students in the playground from varying Baltic nationalities despite the conflict overseas or viewing the South Pacific Islander Cultural Ensemble [SPICE] perform traditional songs and dances to captive audiences. This was extended to the enthusiasm of the students in Western Sydney during 2015-16 as I coordinated Harmony Day activities, allowing the opportunity to embrace and learn more about various cultures of recently arrived immigrants from African and Middle Eastern countries.

 

The message of Harmony Day / Week in 2024 is ‘everyone belongs.’ While it may appear simplistic, there are strong ties with the direction given in Luke 6:31- ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated’.

 

It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. 

 

Robert Simpson

Director of Senior School

 

 

Did you know? 

  • Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.
  • We identify with over 300 ancestries. Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia. 
  • 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia. 
  • Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi. 
  • More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia. 

These facts are taken from ABS 2016 Census Data.