Last week, our College came alive with colour, compassion and connection as we celebrated our annual Cultural Celebration Day. This year’s event was a lively reflection of our 2025 Core Value, Hospitality, as students and staff embraced the richness of our diverse community with open hearts and joyful spirits.
The day began with a moving Acknowledgement of Country by Uncle Robert, a respected Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, and Nganguraku Elder. His storytelling and wisdom set the tone for a day grounded in respect, inclusion and cultural pride. Our assembly also showcased powerful student-led performances, multilingual speeches, and musical talent from West Africa’s Bortier Okoe, who had our whole school community dancing and clapping in unison.
Throughout the day, students immersed themselves in a variety of cultural activities including Latin, Greek and Italian dancing, Chinese lantern making, Italian card games, Cultural Jeopardy and creating handwritten notes for newly arrived Refugee and Asylum Seeker families.
Guest presenters provided an authentic cultural experience for students to enjoy. Year 8 students were immersed in Kaurna storytelling and didgeridoo with Uncle Robert. Year 9 students enjoyed a drumming session led by Bortier Okoe. Year 10 students got creative with Jainul from Adelaide’s Jai Henna, learning the history of henna and practicing their own designs. Charlotte’s Aboriginal dance workshops also got the Year 10 students moving.
Our lunch time Festa once again offered a delicious array of cultural dishes, with Sushi, Bubble Tea, Loukoumades, Yiros and Bushtucker Icecream on offer.
Cultural Celebration Day continues to be a highlight of our school year, where hospitality is not just a value but a lived experience. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Chai and Chat, Nunga, and Living Justice | Living Peace groups for their dedication in bringing this day to life. Funds raised will support the Australian Refugee Association and the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project, further extending our spirit of welcome beyond our school gates.
What an amazing year it has been for all things Italian! We are thrilled to announce that in 2026, our students will have the wonderful opportunity to travel to Italy as part of our Italian Language Pilgrimage, an incredible experience to immerse themselves in the Italian language and culture.
Throughout 2025, all year levels have been deeply engaged in learning the Italian language and exploring Italy’s rich cultural heritage, both inside and outside the classroom.
Our Year 7 students embarked on their Italian journey by exploring topics such as family, animals, Italian regions and cities, food, and essential grammar and vocabulary. Their year concluded with a delightful gelato tasting experience!
The Year 8 students attended the Italian Film Festival. They watched 10 giorni con i suoi, which explored themes of family, friendship, relationships, and Italian culture. Students have studied a variety of topics about self, family, fitness and sports, and food, strengthening their grammar and vocabulary skills along the way.
It was also a busy and exciting year for our Year 9 students, who took part in a cooking class at Nonna’s Cucina, viewed Napoli New York during the Italian Film Festival, and visited the Central Market to discover Italian stalls, a perfect lead-in to their study of Italian migration to Australia. As part of their topic on Italian fashion, we were honoured to host world-renowned designer Paul Vasileff of Paolo Sebastian, who inspired students with his insights into fashion and the value of learning Italian.
Our Senior Years students worked collaboratively focussing on grammar and conversation. The Year 10 students attended the Languages on Campus event at Flinders University, for an enriching experience of language learning at tertiary level.
Italian Language Week was a highlight with the oval classrooms beautifully decorated in the Italian colours. Students enjoyed lunchtime activities each day, including traditional cannoli, bruschetta making, and Venetian mask crafting; a vibrant celebration of Italian culture.
Semester Two has been rich with meaningful experiences across all year levels in Religious Education. The Year 10 students deepened their understanding of global faiths and traditions through their World Religions unit. The World Religions excursion in Term 3 was again a highlight. Visiting places of worship and speaking with faith leaders provided them invaluable insights into diverse cultures and beliefs, building interfaith awareness and an appreciation for the richness of global faiths and cultural perspectives.
Meanwhile, the Year 8 students have begun their Indigenous Spirituality unit, always a favourite amongst the students. This unit invites them to explore the sacred connection between land, story, and spirit in Aboriginal culture, encouraging respectful reflection on Australia’s spiritual heritage.
And as we approach the end of the year, the Year 7 students are now journeying through their Advent unit, preparing their hearts and minds for the Christmas season full of hope and joy. Through scripture, research, and creative activities, students are discovering the deeper meaning of Advent and Christmas, and the importance of preparation with purpose, culminating in their “Christmas around the World” task, where students investigate other countries and cultures, and how they may celebrate the holiday season.
These engaging and meaningful opportunities reflect our commitment to nurturing hope, faith, and compassion in every classroom, and with every student. We’re proud of the thoughtful engagement and reflection each student brings to Religious Education at Kildare College.
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