Thank you for supporting our celebration of cultural diversity during Harmony Week. Children enjoyed learning about all the different nationalities and backgrounds of people at St Kevin’s and the contribution each group has made to our multicultural society.

Here are some thoughts on the importance of Harmony Day written by one of the students.

Harmony Day is when we come together to embrace our differences and cultures. You can learn about traditions, rituals, beliefs, religions.

In my culture, Polynesian/Samoan, our traditions include the uncles and boys doing the haka for special events or sad events.

Learning about cultures is fun and interesting. You can learn how to say hi or bye. Kie’ora is hello/hi in the Maori language (on my dad’s side).

Cultures are 100% important, especially yours. You definitely need to know about your ancestors. You should always be proud of them and your culture.

(Ava, Year 5)

A Good Sign of The Times

If you’ve watched major Australian sporting events in the last couple of years you will have noticed stronger recognition of Indigenous culture. Indigenous rounds in football, Welcome to Country before the National Anthem, Indigenous artwork on sports clothing the players wear.

Also, on some TV stations, acknowledgement of the traditional names of Country and expression of respect to Elders is mentioned at the top of programs. All of this and more helps to promote awareness and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their connection to Country. It is great that this is happening, and I think we will see more of this as Australians together learn about our history and re-imagine our future.

Yaluu ngali ngamilay

Phil Taylor

Aboriginal Education Teacher