Celebrating Diversity
The national Harmony Week theme, ‘Everyone Belongs’, aligned with two of Wenona’s core Values: Grace, representing the art of holding ourselves and others with compassion and dignity, and Kindness, which is manifested in the thoughtful actions and genuine care we extend to one another.
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ing a stunning Guzheng performance by Nicole (Year 12), Principal, Ms Linda Douglas, led our celebrations in Senior School Assembly with a speech that drew from the historical significance of 21 March – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. She recounted the tragic events of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa, where 69 peaceful anti-apartheid protesters were killed and 180 were injured as police opened fire on a crowd demonstrating against apartheid laws. It is a sobering moment in history that underscores why Harmony Week matters and serves as a call to action against intolerance.
Ms Douglas also referenced the words of United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, who has described racism as "a toxic legacy of historic enslavement, colonisation, and discrimination." "The journey of cultural exchange enriches our social fabric, weaving together a vibrant tapestry of traditions, perspectives, and experiences,” she said. “That is what happens when we get it right … the power of building bridges and fostering respect for cultural differences can pave the way for unity and inclusivity."
She concluded her address with insights delivered by our Junior School students at their own Harmony Week Assembly. One spoke of "valuing everyone's individual backstory regardless of their race"; another observed "We have to do the hard work; it doesn't just happen" and a third highlighted the importance of not judging people, "We need to do the hard work ... it takes each and every one of us."
Our Global Diversity Club leaders are Year 11 students, Yvonne, Sophia, Zoe, and Elise, all of whom have spent time at international schools around the world. They say these experiences have given them an understanding of “the value of connecting with people from different cultures and how these interactions shape our perspective, broaden our understanding, and influence our global outlook.” The leaders orchestrated a vibrant series of Harmony Week activities across campus, including the sale of orange wristbands and ribbons and the screening of The Book of Life in Spanish with English subtitles. They mobilised the Senior School to produce a large Harmony Week banner and during a special session of the Global Diversity Club on Thursday, ran cultural trivia sessions and a game of Pictionary featuring international landmarks. On Friday 21 March, our students wore a ‘touch of orange’ and were treated to a cultural sweet stall featuring croissants and other delights with a slightly international twist. At lunchtime, international tunes rang out across the campus as the students danced to songs such as Recuérdame, Gangnam Style, Bella Ciao, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Wo Yao Ni De Ai.
“All donations from the week will go towards the Harmony Alliance: Migrant and Refugee Women for Change foundation,” Yvonne, Sophia, Zoe, and Elise said. “This organisation provides a platform for migrant and refugee women to advocate for policy changes that recognise gender and cultural diversity issues in Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ ... and emphasise women's empowerment while maintaining a holistic approach that addresses systemic barriers, racism, and socio-economic inequalities.”
Our Harmony Week activities conclude this afternoon with a Cooking for the Community session in the Big Kitchen. The students will prepare cultural dishes such as butter chicken, Mexican rice bowls, teriyaki chicken, and Portuguese tarts for distribution to the homeless in the Maroubra area.
“As our School becomes more diverse, it is paramount that we learn to embrace, celebrate, and promote harmony. By understanding and appreciating the diverse backgrounds around us, we not only enrich our own experiences but also build a stronger, more united School community,” Yvonne, Sophia, Zoe, and Elise said.