It was a busy rainbow sea at Corpus Christi Primary on Tuesday with students out of uniform and participating in cultural craft activities for Harmony Day. Following a morning liturgy, students were introduced to many cultural activities including Chinese characters/symbols, pizza making and an exploration of tribal necklaces.

Principal, Julie Mulhearn, said Harmony Day “was an opportunity to open the students’ awareness to the diversity of their own school community as well as the wider community in which we live”.

Gathering for a barbecue with parents and friends gave students an opportunity to share their classroom artworks and decorated playground. 

A big day of celebration was held at St Mary’s with students working together with their buddies and parents to create a rainbow of colourful kites flying high in the sky. After enjoying a delicious morning tea of cupcakes and treats the celebrations continued with the ‘everybody belongs’ craft activity.

Principal, Chris Fanning, said, “We are fortunate to have students from many different cultural backgrounds at St Mary’s and Harmony Day is one way we celebrate this.”

Students of St Aloysius, Chisholm, spent the day exploring multicultural Australia through song, dance, food and history. Years 3 and 4 entertained the crowd with a classical Indian dance routine, followed by food tastings of different cultures and learning to speak and count in French. From the tasty butter chicken to trying seaweed for the first time, students were exposed to a variety of flavours. Worimi man, Justin, enlightened students, teaching them about his cultural heritage and the importance of sharing Harmony Day with one another.

Teacher, Larissa Quigley, said, “Harmony Day is a wonderful opportunity for the students to proudly share their culture with their peers and for all of us to learn more about our school community, about Australia's great diversity and why it makes our country so special.”

Over at St Columban’s 22 different nationalities were celebrated. Starting the day with a morning liturgy, students were able to express their cultural diversity through song and prayer. With the surprise appearance of Sydney chef, Luca Roncari, children experienced the fun of Italian cooking. Dressed in their aprons and chef’s hats, the students had big smiles on their face when they were told they’d be cooking with chocolate!

The St Pius X students brought forward their celebration of Harmony Day to St Patrick's Day last Friday.  Around 60 students gathered with the Student Representative Council in The Factory wing during recess to participate in a mannequin challenge. They demonstrated scenes of harmony, inclusiveness and belonging between peoples of all cultures, genders and faiths.

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