From the Principal's Desk
Loving God, during this sacred season of Lent, bring me closer to you. Prepare a place in my heart for silence and prayer and rekindle my love for and faith in you. Amen.
Everyone Belongs
Harmony Week, celebrated from Monday to Sunday during the week that includes March 21, is dedicated to celebrating Australia's rich multicultural heritage. This year, under the theme “Everyone Belongs,” Harmony Week is scheduled from Monday, March 18 to Sunday, March 24 2024. Harmony Week is Australia-specific, as is Harmony Day, although the latter intentionally falls on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This event was created by the UN.
Harmony Day started in 1999 to celebrate Australia’s diverse culture and changed to Harmony Week in 2019. Almost half of all Australians are born abroad or have a parent who was born abroad. In 2021, over 150 different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages were recorded, and there are ten other commonly spoken languages in Australia, including Punjabi and Greek.
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.
Harmony Week celebrates all the ways in which Australia is a multicultural country and how different cultures work together to create communities. Australia is a very diverse country, and Harmony Week aims to celebrate this. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
On Harmony Day, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, in particular, are a focus point for discussions and celebration.
There are lots of different ways to celebrate Harmony Week. There may be some official Harmony Week events nearby that you can take part in. Check the Harmony Week official website to see what is happening in our local area.
It is easy to celebrate Harmony Week without taking part in official events. You could try watching a new film every day during Harmony Week that comes from a different culture.
Cooking is a big part of different cultures and so is sharing food. You could prepare snacks and easy meals from different cultures. This can be a really fun way of sharing cultural practices.
Each class at our school includes a range of different cultures and heritages, and Harmony Week is a great time to give children a platform to discuss their cultures and backgrounds. It is a way for children to see some similarities and differences.
Every year we begin with classroom activities which highlight and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures represented throughout our school and provide opportunities for students and staff to get to know one another.
On Thursday, March 21st, students are invited to wear a touch of orange to show their support for Harmony across all cultures. There will be prayer celebrations in the classrooms.
Jane Dunstone
PRINCIPAL