Harmony Week is about inclusiveness and respect for all Australians, which is integral to our Early Learning Centre (ELC) philosophy, and linked to our school value of Respectful Relationships.

On Tuesday 22 March, our ELC girls dressed in orange and special cultural clothing to mark the Week.

Traditionally, the colour orange signifies social communication, meaningful conversations and relates to the freedom of ideas, which is why it is selected for Harmony Week.

To support the theme of Harmony Week, Everyone Belongs, the Mamie girls read and discussed the book by Mem Fox, Whoever You Are. This story communicates the message that we may not all look alike, but inside we are the same. Play School also provided a thought-provoking clip ‘Hand in Hand’ for the girls to watch and discuss together.

The Annie girls explored the pictures and messages in the book Shades of People by Shelly Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly, which encouraged them to take notice and look beyond the obvious. From this, the girls created and described their own skin colour using paints. The most memorable quote in the story that the girls took with them was, ‘Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper. And you can’t tell what someone is like from the colour of their skin.’

In our ELC, cultural diversity is recognised, valued, and celebrated - everyone belongs. We hope this message is felt by our girls this week and every week.