By XAVIER SMERDON
A LAVERTON school has celebrated the different backgrounds of its students by holding an extra special feast.
Students from St Martin De Porres Primary in Laverton were encouraged to dress up in clothes from their cultural backgrounds last Wednesday.
The cultural day also coincided with the feast day of the school’s namesake, Saint Martin De Porres.
Principal Chris Walsh said the relatively small school was proud of having such a diverse group of students.
“Because St Martin De Porres had quite a multicultural background we thought we would combine our feast day with the current learning theme of Where in the World,” Mr Walsh said.
“We always teach our students that regardless of where we come from, we are one family working together to create a caring and supportive learning community.”
The school’s 136 students come from roughly 20 different nationalities and last week’s event was held in co-operation with Melbourne City Mission, which holds English lessons for members of the Karen community at the school.
As well as enjoying a multicultural feast, students also played sports from different countries, learned indigenous art techniques and watched dancers from different cultures perform.
Mr Walsh said he hoped the students would take what they had learned into the real world.
“One of the great qualities of the students is the way they just come together and work as one,” he said.
“The kids see each other as people, not colours or races, but they also recognise their diversity.”
