IBS Principal Silvia Onorati said the event acknowledged the rich heritage of this country, as well as celebrating the grandparents who come from many diverse cultures and who have all contributed to Australian society.
The event was held in honour of Harmony Day, which falls each year in Australia on March 21, in celebration of the country’s cultural diversity, and which coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
At the event, an Aboriginal student in Year 2 performed an opening dance, complete with body decorations and pigments.
The student is of the Githabul people in Northern NSW.
This was followed by the Acknowledgement of Country, which was said in both Italian and English.
The Australian anthem was also sung in Italian and English, followed by a performance of the song We are Australian, performances of various songs about grandparents, poetry recitals, a Chinese song performed in Mandarin and finally the closing ceremony, which included performances from the Italian popular theatre Commedia dell’Arte.
Onorati said the school has a diverse community of students who come from Italian, Spanish and Australian backgrounds, as well as from various Asian cultures.
All of these students study at the school in both Italian and English.
When asked why she thinks parents from non-Italian backgrounds send their children to the school, Onorati said they are often parents who value languages.
“They also choose to send their children here if they have been reluctant to speak their own languages at home,” she added, indicating that the school can be a source of inspiration for children to embrace their multilingualism.
“We have children here who speak four languages!”
In a multicultural society like Australia, the IBS principal believes it is important for young children to learn about eliminating racial discrimination.
“What we really teach is that diversity is richness,” she said.
