Students from diverse backgrounds help their peers foster a deeper understanding of the world, while boosting cognitive and academic outcomes, according to St Augustine’s College English teacher Jessica Jones.
Ms Jones said discussions formed around different perspectives helped enrich the learning environment at the Augustine Heights campus, which is celebrating Harmony Week.
The school is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse within Brisbane Catholic Education’s 146 schools across southeast Queensland, with students from 30 different countries and more than 13 languages spoken on campus.
From Vietnamese and Tagalog to Spanish, Samoan, Punjabi, Portuguese, Nepali, and Malayalam, every conversation celebrates heritage, bringing the world into the classroom.
Students’ cultural backgrounds also span the globe, representing nations as diverse as Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Albania, and Afghanistan.
Ms Jones said they often discussed personal identities and values in class.
“For example, a student might share their experiences with food, dancing, and celebrations that are influenced by their culture,” she said.
“These conversations are extremely enriching as they highlight how different backgrounds influence our everyday lives.”
It’s not just the students who bring a rich cultural diversity — St Augustine’s College is also home to a diverse team of staff who speak languages such as Japanese, Korean, and Filipino, as well as languages from India and across Africa.
English teacher and Year 8 Pastoral Leader Rebecca Percy said she loved teaching at St Augustine’s College because of the enriching diversity in the classroom.
“Students who speak another language at home have an innate structure for learning additional languages and bring interesting and varied viewpoints to the classroom,” Ms Percy said.
St Augustine’s College Principal Graham Meertens said Harmony Week was especially important to his school community.
“It is a time for us to come together as a community and celebrate the incredible diversity within our school,” Mr Meertens said.
“Our students have been practicing all term for a special assembly featuring cultural performances that reflect their heritage, allowing them to share their pride and love for their culture with the entire school.
“We can’t wait for the vibrant splash of colour and creativity as students take over our school’s pathways with a fun chalk drawing event, filling them with words of welcome in different languages.
“Our primary school students will also join in on the fun, celebrating Harmony Week with a free dress day, where they are invited to wear traditional outfits that reflect their cultural heritage.
“This is a moment for our students to not only celebrate their heritage but to learn from one another and embrace the beautiful diversity that makes our school so special.”
Mr Meertens said they were proud to have a dedicated First Nations Officer who supports the College’s Deadly Crew – a student group that focuses on supporting and empowering First Nations students.
“The Deadly Crew has worked on several impactful projects across our campus, including the naming of our House Groups and the design of First Nations story poles,” he said.
“Our college offers a range of programs that foster cultural diversity, focusing on embracing and celebrating different cultures while emphasising the importance of kindness and mutual respect.
“We are proud of the effort we have put into building a harmonious and inclusive community at St Augustine’s.”
For more information about St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights or to enrol click here.
