REIDY Park Primary School students donned orange clothes last week to embrace multiculturalism and celebrate Harmony Day.
While the annual celebration was held on Saturday, the O’Halloran Terrace school was one of several across the Limestone Coast to dress in orange – the colour chosen for the national event – and host activities last week to encourage and embrace diversity.
Year 2 teacher Angela Hopes said student leaders organised a scavenger hunt to encourage children to connect with one another.
“The day always surrounds the theme that everybody belongs,” Ms Hopes said.
“They were able to meet some new faces, discover new areas and bring a sense of belonging all in the one.
“It is about encouraging them that everybody belongs and they are all equal no matter what.”
Ms Hopes said it was important for children to understand everybody was the same and nobody should be treated differently.
“I do think it is important for children to be involved in celebrations like this,” she said.
“They are growing up in a world which is so diverse and they need to learn and it is great to be different.
“We can all be different, but we can also all be the same and it is important for them to learn that.”
From feedback, Ms Hopes said older students remembered the day from previous years.
“It is great to see the messages have stuck with them,” she said.
“They all seem to love to be involved and emerge themselves in lovely days like this.”
Ms Hopes said older students liked to share messages with younger students.
“This year, student leaders have been reading the book We Are All Equal which is just a fantastic example of what the week symbolises,” she said.
“It is a simple picture book, but it follows the theme of the day beautifully.
“They have been going around to each classroom and are reading it to every student at the school.”
Along with the book reading, the school was involved in decorating paperdolls.
“Each child decorated a doll to represent themselves in any way they like,” Ms Hopes said.
“It will be displayed in the library for the full term.
“They can actually view for themselves a symbol that everybody is different, but they can come together as one.”
