Courtenay Gardens Primary School grade five and six students (back from left) Lisa, Amanda, Tahnee, Nicole, Jayden and Tess and (front) Tanika, Joel and Taylor dress MAD for the day.By Sarah Schwager
COURTENAY Gardens Primary School students went “mad” for a day to help celebrate diversity.
Children and teachers from across the Cranbourne school dressed madly as part of MAD (Make a Difference) Day last Thursday.
Grade three teacher Jenny Rundle said the students had previously been asked what they were passionate about and most of them had raised the importance of people being accepted despite their differences.
Students took part in a parade around the basketball court in the morning to show off their MAD costumes, bringing a gold coin donation for the Starlight Foundation.
Classroom activities focused on the differences between people and appreciating and respecting them.
“We also raised community awareness. Parents saw how their own children can make a difference,” Ms Rundle said. “The parents loved it.”
The Lion King star Vince Harder was the guest speaker.
MAD Day is an initiative of the Education Foundation, helping kids change their world by identifying problems and challenges in their school or in their local or global community.
Ms Rundle, who organised the event along with grade five teacher Jan Bruerton, said they would definitely run the day again next year.
