In perfect harmony

STUDENTS from across Casey dressed up, danced and celebrated Cultural Diversity and Harmony Day this week.
One of many schools to celebrate the occasion was James Cook Primary School.
The event was organised by Deanna Stevens and aimed to acknowledge the cultural diversity of their community by promoting and supporting Harmony Day principles: respecting others, fair treatment, the opportunity for all to participate and feeling that they belong and are part of the wider community.
Students performed a range of dances from their country of origin for fellow students, parents, family and friends.
The performances included dances from India, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Mauritius, Albania, New Zealand, Indonesia and Greece.
After the performance the celebrations continued with a multicultural lunch shared by all the students, teachers and parents, where everyone had the opportunity to try food from different countries.
Students at Fountain Gate Primary School also joined in the celebrations.
Well-being co-ordinator Maryse Mannix said that every year the students looked forward to celebrating Harmony Week at school.
“We have a very diverse population at our school in terms of nationalities, and we use this week specifically to celebrate the diversity at this school,” Ms Mannix said.
“Children attended a special assembly on Monday morning and came dressed in their national costumes, we had a sports night during the week and we also had a sausage sizzle. The teachers also incorporate a lot of their work to highlight the fact that we are all different yet we are all the same.”
Hillsmeade Primary School students also joined in the fun this week. The school held an event on Tuesday, where parents joined the students at the school in celebrating their cultural diversity.