By Jessica Anstice
The 4C’s – Cultivating Creative Cultures with Communities performance nights, held at Bunjil Place, were impressive displays of culture and acceptance among the multicultural students of all the schools that participated.
From the 16 schools that attended and performed there were cultural presentations from a wide range of cultures.
The students all represented their cultures well, be they Samoan, Spanish, African, Maori and many more.
“Officer Secondary College students were a fantastic mix as they had some representatives who performed dances for cultures that were not their own,” Officer Secondary College VCAL and EAL coordinator Laitini Matautia-Ulugia said.
“The MC’s acknowledged and applauded these students who not only learned about another culture, but accepted it and performed it on stage,” student teacher Stuart McCarthy added.
“These nights presented an amazing opportunity for the schools of the south-east suburbs to celebrate the cultures that are prevalent in our community and our schools.”
Ms Matautia-Ulugia says she knows next year is already gearing up to be a “bigger and equally inclusive celebration”.
Almost 700 students participated over the two nights in Bunjil Place.
On the first night, Officer Secondary College in partnership with Bunjil Place hosted schools such as Pakenham Secondary College, Carrum Downs Secondary College, Fountain Gate Secondary College, Cranbourne and Cranbourne East, Nesian Pearl Dance School and Lyndhurst Secondary College.
The second night saw Sacred Heart Girls High school, Glen Eagles, Narre Warren South P-12, Dandenong High school, Keysborough Secondary, Hallam Secondary, Westall Secondary College and Hampton Park Secondary perform with a total of over 80 student participants.
“The night was successful with both nights completely sold out,” Ms Matautia-Ulugiasaid.
“We had over 800 attendees both nights. Congratulations to all the schools involved including the Bunjil Place staff, teachers from Officer and all the community members, including Adventist Elders and our Multicultural Police.”
