Celebrating our cultural diversity

Few of Stephanie Park and Irene Lee's schoolmates have seen them in the detailed outfits they wore to school last week.
Weaved with multicoloured thread, the girls of South Korean descent, were proud to show off the traditional and colourful dress of their families' homeland.
"In Korea, at New Year, we wear them to traditional parades or dances," Irene explained. Wearing the costumes was exciting for the girls, who said they hoped their classmates would better understand them, and celebrate their difference.
Of Brookfield School's 234 students, 0.9 per cent are Korean.
All up there are 22 nationalities at Brookfield School, and that was celebrated on Friday, at Brookfield's second biannual Cultural Diversity Day.
The school's roll is made up of 51.3 per cent Maori pupils, 30.8 per cent European, 10.7 per cent Indian.
The remaining 7.2 per cent of Brookfield children have ancestry that stretches everywhere from Israel to Switzerland, Spain, Barbados and Estonia.
The family-oriented day saw the school community sharing food, music, dance and stories from their different cultures - all important aspects which work to break down barriers and empower students to develop self-respect and understand their value and heritage, Brookfield principal Robert Hyndman said.
Through organising the Cultural Diversity Day, students had "found where their ancestry lies".
Earlier in the week, pupils cooked Spanish tapas, and prepared photos and speeches to educate their fellow students on their heritage.
Mr Hyndman has been at Brookfield School for five years, and during that time, has worked hard to foster a strong sense of community in the school.
The family orientated approach is evident - the school has an open door policy, and welcomes parents on site.
Mr Hyndman has made an effort to know all his students by name.
"People are much more aware we live in an international community, not just an isolated community in Brookfield, Tauranga," he said.
"Understanding who lives around us is important."
It's little things like this that make the culture at Brookfield the friendly, caring one that it is.
Reading and writing is tackled head on from day one at the small Tauranga school.
It all adds up to the number one focus at Brookfield: literacy.
Since last year, the school has encouraged all its students to keep reading logs.
The team approach is something Mr Hyndman has strived to reach.
For those who achieve 100 nights of reading, there is a celebration, and for those who achieve 200 nights of reading, they get to be in the 200 Club; and go on a picnic at Mount Maunganui's main beach.
"Last year we had 35. This year it looks like at least half the school will be going." Mr Hyndman said with a chuckle.
While the school is yet to collate hard statistics about the impact the programme is creating, anecdotally, it is working, he said.
It is also helping busy parents trade television for book time, at night time.
Maths grades are up thanks to professional development, and a move to get teachers "up to speed" with ICT, has seen data projectors and laptop computers in all classrooms.
The 31-year-old school last year received a new classroom as part of the 1.15 ratio for new entrant children, and is hopeful of acquiring new land for better parking and a larger playground space.
"We are currently not zoned but with the predicted growth and extra space needed, future zoning is probable," Mr Hyndman said.
With the Millers Rd extension, the school has developed a higher profile with the thoroughfare traffic.
Quaint and colourful Brookfield School is no longer tucked away from commuters.
It is a place waiting to be discovered.
BROOKFIELD SCHOOL
Where: Miller Rd
Staff: 18
Pupils: 234
Decile: 4
Principal: Robert Hyndman
School Mission Statement: Brookfield School will provide an environment where each child is valued and supported in a safe world of learning.