Tastes of the world at Hillcrest school

The entire Hillcrest Normal School supported its International Festival.

With a theme of 'A Taste of Home', staff, parents and students celebrated differences in nationalities and cultures.

The festival embraced the entire community and comprised ethnic food and dance, national costumes, artifact, customs a parade and a performance by the whole school. Eighteen cultural groups are represented at Hillcrest Normal School.

It is an extension of the school curriculum and provides a link with the wider community and school families.

Deputy principal Gay Gilbert says the school's year began with a theme of 'Navigating' and a quote from the book Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll 'Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle'. It covered ground and extended out to multicultural perspectives.

The first term was based on 'Voyagers - First landings' - where do people come from, and where do people in my class come from?

She says it has provided a wonderful opportunity to involve many families in the lead-up to the celebration, sharing music, food, customs and celebrating differences.

"Relationships are deepened and our values are embedded," says Gay.