The enthusiasm of students during Italian Day is always remarkable, and it more than repays the effort of Rosa Paladino—who has been teaching Italian at Glenferrie Primary School for 20 years—for the considerable work involved in organising it all.
The tradition of dedicating a day to Italian language and culture has been running for years and continues to fully engage students, who arrive at school in imaginative and playful costumes to celebrate Italy.
This year also marked a significant milestone for the school, which celebrated its 150th anniversary. Founded in 1875, Glenferrie Primary preserves one of the few examples of Gothic-style school buildings in Victoria.
To mark such a special anniversary, principal Tanya Gurney organised a major celebration for the school community, including an exhibition set up in the Cottage, where visitors could view historical photographs spanning from the school’s earliest years to more recent times.
One of the images on display features a former student, Tash Stoles, who has since returned to Glenferrie as a teacher.
Between soccer and bocce tournaments, Michelangelo-inspired drawings done under desks and listening to stories by Roberto D’Andrea from The Connies, students spent Italian Day in a festive atmosphere.
The celebrations were rounded out with a snack of crostoli and a lunch of pizza and gelato, making it a day to remember for everyone involved.
