Harmony Day

On 5 April 2024, MLC School celebrated its inaugural Harmony Day. This event was a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the diverse cultures represented in our school community. As a country that is home to the world’s oldest continuous culture and a hub for newcomers from around the globe, Australia is a testament to multiculturalism.

The Senior School and Cafe were adorned with flags and orange decorations, symbolizing the spirit of diversity. Throughout the week, students were exposed to fascinating facts about Australia’s multicultural fabric via digital signage and announcements. The library featured books by authors from various cultures, offering students a chance to delve deeper into cultural issues and gain diverse perspectives.

Friday was designated as a mufti day, with students contributing a gold coin donation. The proceeds were donated to The House of Welcome, an Australian organization that provides shelter and fosters empowering communities for asylum seekers and refugees. Staff and students embraced the day by dressing in traditional cultural attire such as elaborate Chinese dress (cheongsam), colourful South Asian dress (lehengas and salwars), Middle Eastern headdress (keffiyeh), colours of their flags, sport jerseys of their country or wearing orange, a colour that signifies freedom of ideas and meaningful conversations in the context of Harmony Week.

The amphitheatre was abuzz with excitement during lunchtime performances by our Year 12 girls. The event kicked off with Cara’s Irish dance, followed by Lebanese drumming and dancing by Bariah, Danielle, Sara, and Sally. The energy was palpable as Aahana, Anikah, Seraya, Saalbhinii, Vishaalini, and I performed a Bollywood dance. The enthusiastic cheers and applause were so loud that I had difficulty introducing the performances! The performances concluded with an open dance floor where everyone had the chance to learn new dance moves and songs.

In conclusion, Harmony Day at MLC School was a resounding success, fostering a sense of inclusiveness, respect, and belonging among all students. It was a wonderful platform to celebrate our diverse community and learn about different cultures. I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did, and I eagerly anticipate more opportunities to celebrate our diversity throughout the year.

– Divya
Year 12 – Diversity Captain