LEARNING about other cultures has never been so much fun.
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The Scots School used Wednesday’s Harmony Day as a chance to celebrate the school’s diversity and learn from each other.
Students in kindergarten through to Year 5 had the chance to get hands-on during four workshops, which were then followed by a special lunch featuring cuisines from around the world.
Scots’ Harmony Day co-ordinator Lyn Inglis said the two-hour celebration was a great learning experience for the students.
“We’ve got a beautiful rich, diverse culture here,” she said.
Students rotated through the workshops, which included: South African games, French lessons, Aboriginal culture and art, and world music.
“One of the parents, Phoebe Marais, has organised a few games,” she said.
We just wanted to do something so the children are a little bit more aware of the world they live in.
- The Scots School teacher Lyn Inglis
“They’re learning about how children in Africa don’t have toys and they’re learning how to have fun with basic things.”
Students also met Antoine Bourven and Alexis Le Masson who were born near Paris in France but now call Bathurst home.
“We do an introduction and talk about the different school systems, different subjects and how you come [arrive] to school,” Mr Bourven said.
Mr Le Masson said Scots students also discovered that French children do not wear uniforms to school.
During the Aboriginal culture and art session, Wiradyuri artist Nyree Reynolds spoke about Indigenous painting methods and then asked children to help paint a picture.
Students used their fingertips to dot painted petals on flowers for the painting.
Following the workshops, students took part in a Harmony Day lunch with food made by parents of students.
“There was Welsh food, Indian food, lamingtons, Finnish ginger bread, pavlovas, Chinese dumplings and samosa,” Ms Inglis said.
“Our beautiful families made all the food.”
Ms Inglis said Harmony Day, which is celebrated annually across Australia, had an important message of inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all people.
“We just wanted to do something so the children are a little bit more aware of the world they live in,” she said.
Visit www.westernadvocate.com.au to see more photos from the day.