Mana College recently celebrated Asian Cultural Week – Sethini Goonewardene reports.
Our school proudly celebrated Asian Cultural Week, recognising and celebrating the many Asian languages, cultures, traditions and communities represented within our school. The week provided students and staff with opportunities to learn about different cultures, try new activities, and celebrate the diversity that makes our school community so special.
The week began with a Sri Lankan flag raising ceremony, officially marking the start of our celebrations. Throughout the week, students were introduced to a daily Word of the Day, learning meaningful words and phrases from a variety of Asian languages and gaining a greater appreciation for the languages spoken within our community.
There were also plenty of fun activities throughout the week. Students enjoyed Karaoke and Just Dance during lunchtime, had the opportunity to experience Henna, and took part in traditional Asian games. These activities brought students together while allowing everyone to experience different aspects of Asian cultures in an enjoyable and interactive way.
We wrapped up the week with Cultural Mufti Day, where students and staff wore clothing that represented their culture and heritage. The school was filled with a wonderful range of colours, traditional clothing and cultural expressions. We also came together for a shared cultural lunch, enjoying food from different cultures and celebrating the diversity of our school community through food, conversation and connection.
Asian Cultural Week was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our cultures while also recognising the things that bring us together. A huge thank you to all the students, staff and whānau who contributed their time, ideas, food, knowledge and enthusiasm throughout the week. Your support helped make the celebrations a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone.