By Marcus Uhe
The extent of Clyde North’s Tulliallan Primary School’s cultural diversity was on full display on Monday 21 March as the school community gathered to celebrate Harmony Day.
The students and staff took part in a street parade around the school’s perimeter in culturally traditional dress, which allowed parents to interact with them while not entering school grounds in a compromise on Covid-19 restrictions, before 20 students were invited to address the audience and say “we belong” in their native language.
Principal Kathy Sharp said the day is always a highlight on the school calendar.
“This is our sixth year and every year we’ve held the chance for children to dress-up, display and show where they come from and who they are,” Ms Sharp said. “I’m really proud of this school and I’m proud of the richness we have because we do have the best of every world.
“The children dress up and today they will be bringing lunch from their own country of origin.
“They’ll celebrate, show and share their understanding about where they’ve come from.”
The school’s cohort of more than 1400 students boasts 45 different ethnic backgrounds with a majority from the Indian, Chinese, Sri Lankan and Korean communities.
Ms Sharp said that the school’s curriculum stresses the importance of cultural education.
“There’s a very big strong emphasis on multiculturalism and inclusion. I think those things are about us accepting who were are and accepting each other for who everyone else is as well.
“All term we’ve studied the bigger picture enquiry of ‘who we are’.
‘Who we are’ is a broad topic, and each year level has looked at ‘what country have I come from?’ and ‘Who’s in my family?’, in prep, right up to, ‘What stereotypes happen?’ in grade six, so that people are understanding and having strength and empowerment of who we are as people.
There was plenty of orange on show, the chosen colour of Harmony Day, which relates to social communication and stimulating two-way conversations.
The theme of 2022’s Harmony Day celebration was ‘everybody belongs’.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke said Australia’s diversity is an asset that should be celebrated and protected.
“As Australians we are a unique bunch – representing more than 300 ethnicities and 120 faiths,” Mr Hawke said.
“What makes us so successful as a community is how we embrace the diverse cultures and customs of people from around the world who call Australia home.
“That is what Harmony Week and this year’s theme – ‘everyone belongs’ – is all about; inclusiveness, respect and fostering a sense of community.
Data from the 2016 Census indicates that 49 per cent of Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was, with the most common languages other than English are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Italian.
There are also more than 70 Indigenous languages spoken in Australia, according to the 2016 Census.
“During this week in particular, we proudly share and celebrate our diverse stories, beliefs and traditions,” Mr Hawke continued.
“We also strive to learn more from one another, deepen the connections within our communities, and work towards building an even stronger Australia.”
Harmony Day is celebrated on 21 March due to the recognition of United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
