Every school should be able to celebrate Harmony Day and uplift the diversity that makes up Greater Shepparton, no matter the size.
On March 21, the region’s smaller schools joined together to participate in a range of activities that focused on cultural understanding.
Currawa Primary School hosted Dhurringile Primary, Dookie Primary and Mooroopna North Primary to bring about 50 students together on the day.
“Our school includes families from overseas who are studying at the college, so we have Malaysia, England, New Zealand and Iran represented here,” Currawa Primary acting principal Rebecca Brown said.
The schools widened the themes this year to also celebrate the importance of disability inclusion and to recognise our region’s rich First Nations heritage, Ms Brown said.
Feature activities included decorating a large harmony mural, cooking, music, making friendship bracelets and using “colours of the world” crayons that reflect the many skin shades that make up our community.
“The day was just fantastic and full of fun learning,” Ms Brown said.
Dhurringile Primary principal Lisa Wilson said small schools in the rural areas around Shepparton, Mooroopna, Dookie and Tatura networked in a number of ways.
“Our schools are small and inclusive, which suits many of our students,” she said.
“However we always want to give our students as many experiences as possible, so we get together regularly.”
Ms Wilson said the schools also worked together to share resources and professional learning for staff.
Harmony Week, which ran from March 20 to 26, is celebrated annually in Australia to recognise diversity in our community.