Cultural Diversity Week was an outstanding success at BSSC from March 14th to 17th.
On Tuesday, 130 primary students from Goornong and Kennington Primary Schools enjoyed a day of celebration and cultural immersion at BSSC’s Language Centre.
The local Indigenous community, and students from Karen, Afghan, Thai, PNG, Ethiopian and Chinese backgrounds all participated to give the young visitors a truly international experience.
The following day the Language Centre was standing room only as BSSC students sampled delectable German, French and Indonesian cuisine.
From croissants and strudel to green coconut pancakes, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Auslan was part of the day’s focus; an important reminder that it’s not just place of birth that determines one’s language.
Noah Bloomfield was one of the Indonesian students who helped cook the delicious coconut pancakes.
“The day was a great opportunity for students to gain an awareness of other cultures, not just their own,” Noah said.
A traditional French dance was taught to anyone brave enough to have a go and was followed by a Brahms piece played on clarinet by BSSC music students.
Day three once again saw food as the bridge between students whose backgrounds are in stark contrast to each other.
The Ulumbarra Plaza was crowded with students keen to sample the free and delicious food EAL VCAL students had been preparing since early morning.
There was grism from PNG; khormeh gheynh from Afghanistan; Thai green curry, fried rice and a sticky rice and banana dish made by the Karen students.
Charmaine Porai, originally from Port Moresby, has been in Australia for 18 months and relished the opportunity to showcase PNG food.
“It was great to share one of my family’s traditional meals with the other students,” she said. “I think people enjoyed it.”
Friday was Chinese Culture Day with free dumplings for lunch, calligraphy demonstrations and other fun activities.
