Primary Life

Cultural Day

Han Yu Ong - Chinese Teacher

 On Thursday 7 March, our Primary School was abuzz with vibrant colours, happy chats and amazement at the uniqueness of various cultural costumes as students marched into the school yard with joyful strides. As we celebrated our inaugural Cultural Day, it provided a great opportunity for students to embrace the diversity of cultures within our school community.

The day began with a school-wide cultural costume parade in which everyone, from the littlest Preppies to the Year 6s, all paraded through the school ground with grace and poise. It was a time filled with wonder, laughter and beautiful surprises as the whole school body, including some parents, eagerly looked on. Both teachers and students represented their unique cultures and backgrounds. We all cheered and appreciated the many differences among us, echoing the broader values of the Christian faith, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:4:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

The celebration reached its peak with the offer of a variety of incursion activities. Interactive workshops run by the Chinese Immigration Museum such as Ribbon Dance, Kung Fu, Chinese Knotting and Ancient Chinese Inventions provided students with meaningful and immersive educational experiences. Traditional games such as shuttlecock, Chinese chess, checker game, and Chinese yo-yo were the most popular among all, whereas a Chinese calligraphy workshop laid the foundation of art and cultural appreciation in the hearts of those who participated in it.

As the writer Robert Alan puts it:

Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all humanity.

The day marked the beginning of many more conversations that we as a school and community will continue to have regarding cultures, backgrounds and perspectives.   

Year 2 Camp Day 

Anna Starchenko - Year 2 Team Leader

Our Year 2 students were eager for their first camp experience out at the YMCA Mt Evelyn Discovery Camp. Armed with the early morning enthusiasm of 8 year-olds and blessed with cooler weather, all the students tackled the camp activities before them with a growth mindset and a practical demonstration of the ideas behind our Term 1 Inquiry unit ‘Healthy Me, You, Us’.

All rotations were set amongst the backdrop of the stunning Dandenong Ranges with hands-on team building exercises that encouraged the students to challenge themselves and work together with others.

From low-ropes courses to damper cooking, hut building to eco nature trails, all camp site staff praised the attitude and manners of our wonderful Year 2 cohort. We are grateful for God’s protection and safe keeping on the day and for the memories that were certainly created.