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As the state and the city prepare to celebrate cultural diversity, Bendigo Senior Secondary College has kicked off a week of activities in appreciation of the people, places and customs that have shaped the community.
More than 130 Grade Three students from Goornong and Kennington primary schools attended the Language Centre on Tuesday for a day of cultural immersion.
Activities reflected the traditions of Indigenous Australians and people from Karen, Afghan, Thai, Ethiopian, Papua New Guinea and Chinese backgrounds.
There were games, dances and a lesson on the use of chopsticks.
Among those leading the session were visitors from Zhongshan Huaqiao High School, the BSSC’s new sister school in China, and students in the college’s EAL VCAL program.
BSSC Learning & Engagement Coordinator Mardi Holland said the day was “really special” for the EAL VCAL students, because they got to be the experts and the teachers.
All 43 of the program’s participants come from refugee backgrounds.
Language and food are at the heart of further activities planned for the week, which culminates in a celebration of Chinese culture.
Saturday marks the start of the Bendigo Festival of Cultures and Cultural Diversity Week in Victoria, both of which end on March 26.