Everyone Belongs at
Swan Valley Anglican Community School!
Inclusion is a critical core value at Swan Valley Anglican Community School. Principal Melissa Powell explained, ‘Valuing and welcoming everyone in our community is a cornerstone of our identity and guides our decisions and actions.
Everyone is treated equally and has an active role in our school. We encourage every student to feel proud of their cultural heritage and to share this with others. It is vital that everyone feels that they belong here.’
Harmony Week was therefore a wonderful opportunity to recognise the 78+ different cultural backgrounds of the school community, including: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, England, Ethiopia, Fiji, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North), Republic of Korea (South), Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Throughout the week, a variety of activities helped the community celebrate this diversity. The Dance and Cheer Teams brought different cultures to life through dance whilst various forms of cultural music were played in The Great Court every lunchtime, emphasising different cultures’ histories, beliefs, and social practices.
Students and staff wore clothing that represented their cultural heritage or wore orange to recognise that ‘Everybody Belongs!’. Secondary students had the opportunity to connect with their Primary School buddies by undertaking shared activities that were designed to foster unity and shared understandings.
A large world map displayed in the Performing Arts Centre Theatre gave students and staff the opportunity to place a digital pin to identify their place of birth, recognising the unique journeys that brought everyone in the school community together.
Staff and students contributed to a wonderful video showcasing the school community’s diverse cultural heritage, including the many different languages spoken. You might like to take a look: www.svacs.wa.edu.au/news/harmony-day-video
