Harper Sercombe
Greenvale’s Kolbe Catholic College is celebrating its multiculturalism through cultural awareness week.
The week, running from June 19 to June 23, is for promoting multicultural understanding and recognising the diverse backgrounds of its students.
Kolbe has a diverse mix of over 1100 students from year 7 to 12. The school represents 28 different countries and students who fluently speak ten different languages.
Sixty-eight per cent of the students have one or both parents who were born outside of Australia, demonstrating the diversity within the college.
Throughout the week Kolbe has organised a series of events and activities aimed to foster cultural appreciation, encourage dialogue, and promote inclusivity.
Traditional weaving techniques from the Pacific Islands will be on show, as well as multicultural mask making and mindfulness drawing and meditation.
Italian and Arabic cultural dancing will also be on full display.
Principal Nick Scully said he enjoys all of the activities but admits the dancing is “fantastic.”
“It’s an excellent opportunity to celebrate our multiculturalism,” he said.
“A great opportunity for kids to emphasise their culture and cultural differences within the community.”
Mr Scully said he sees the importance of embracing diversity and not assimilation.
“We need to be aware of cultural differences to be able to celebrate them,” he said.
The multicultural initiatives have been going on for years at Kolbe but it remains a student-led initiative.
“The students have been very keen to make sure this event is maintained,” he said.
“[They have a] great amount of pride, to showcase their culture.”
