24 October 2022

Diversity was on the agenda at Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Ocean Grove, with a day dedicated to developing greater understanding of differences and similarities.

Each year, the school takes part in a whole-school celebration to coincide with the Barwon Month of Action and work on Respectful Relationships. This year, the school community held a Diversity Day and what a wonderful celebration it was. The children participated in team-building tabloid sports in their house colours, working together to achieve success. They engaged in ‘circle time’ within their class groups, where they discussed diversity and shared a picture storybook, Come Over to My House, co-written by guest speaker Eliza Hull. The students listened to the choir with Kevin Mitchell, who sang and Auslan-signed to his song ‘Don’t you think it’s time?’

The school community were inspired by Eliza’s speech, leaving them with important messages to continue the journey of ensuring we enable all students to flourish, while shining a loving and strengths-based light on people with disability and diversity. ‘It was great to hear from Eliza Hull and her experience of disability’, said a parent of one of the students. ‘It certainly made me feel included and hopeful for the future of our community.’

The afternoon was a sea of colour in the schoolyard as children ran in a ‘diversity dash’. Families, students, teachers and four-legged friends were covered from head to toe in coloured powder. The school was buzzing with excitement, laughter, colour and huge smiles to complete the day.