Year 12 student and Greater Shepparton Secondary College multicultural student leader Safa Zahir, Fatima Chaman Ali, 16, GSSC multicultural liaison officer/strengthening engagement officer Muzhgan Qazikhil and Zahra Qurbani, 17, sit together at the Afghanistan stall.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Greater Shepparton Secondary College celebrated Refugee Week with its Cultural and Language Expo and Family CALD Night on Thursday, June 18.
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Students attended in cultural dress and hosted stalls where they shared cultural items, including books, traditional drinkware and instruments.
The stalls were followed with a presentation to families, where GSSC staff were able to connect directly with families to explain what support was available and connect students with school-based clubs and programs.
Multicultural liaison leader Hussam Saraf expressed how proud he was of his students, and said the expo was not just about celebrating refugees, but all cultures in Greater Shepparton.
“Students want to feel proud of their cultures and communities and want to be included,” Mr Saraf said.
Arbi Xhuti, 16, hosted and organised the Albanian stall, which featured a carving depicting a town in Albania, traditional clothing and a video of traditional dancing.
Arbi said that participating in an event like the expo “keeps me connected to my culture and helps others understand me”.
He said he embraced the multicultural environment at GSSC and had been involved with other celebrations at the school.
Arbi particularly remembers doing a presentation on the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, where he explained what it looked like in Albania and what it meant to his community.
Arbi Xhuti 16, Ruth Pacquing, 16, Hussam Saraf, Zayneb Faez, 15, and Aydin Ramazan Koktas, 16, enjoyed sharing their Albanian and Turkish cultural heritage with the school’s community.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Narjis Fatima, 14, and Gurnaaz Thind, 14, show how the Indian harmonium works.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
GSSC Ngarri Ngarri team leader Brad Argaet and Koorie educator Sharni Beeton, holding a didgeridoo and an emu feather skirt.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Many cultures from around the world were shared and celebrated at GSSC.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The GSSC students displayed their ceramic creations for the enjoyment of their families.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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