Harmony Day preview: Keith Conlon visits this College in the Adelaide City region of South AustraliaWelcome to Thebarton Senior College - a state school with not one but two special missions; It's for adults young and old to come back and get that Year 12 they never got. And it lays out the educational welcome mat to immigrants and refugees from all over the world.
The smiles and faces say it all - this is a mini United Nations made up of more than fifty different nationalities. With the state's only New Arrivals program Thebarton College is the 'educational entree' for wave after wave of students from a diverse range of countries.
A remarkable band of teachers has instilled an atmosphere of calm, hope and cooperation in contrast to the unimaginable horrors that many of these new citizens have survived.
In the classroom, there's a common theme. When we dropped in to the English class, Beatrice and her friends were studiously working on posters that capture the theme of Harmony Day. "You should be nice to all people," she said.
"We have Harmony days because we are all the same," said Ester
Under the New Arrivals program, the students spend at least twelve months in an intensive full-time English language program before moving on to other courses - including TAFE and University.
For many, it's a life-saving opportunity. "We came from different corners of the world," said Samual. "We are not English speakers but now we are able to speak English thanks our teachers."
There are 12-hundred or so students here from all over the state and the world. The oldest is in his 80s and the youngest just sixteen. Student counsellor, Eva Kannis-Torry revels in the challenge.
"This school is different," she said. "We have sixty-two different cultures represented in this school. We have people who have basically stepped off a plane one day and they've enrolled at the school the next. Sometimes, zero English and zero reading or writing - even in their own language."
You wouldn't think that was the case in the gym during the break. In a kind of carefree mayhem, atrocities and misery are forgotten - for a while at least.
But their origins aren't necessarily forgotten. In the foyer hang one thousand paper cranes - a project led by teacher, Janice Madden.
Inspired by the well-known Japanese children's story, their quiet paper-folding task leaves room for stories to emerge. It's gentle but powerful stuff.
Out in the yard, members of the 'Blue Army' are on a deadline to finish the paving for Harmony Day. A lot of these blokes were tradesmen in their old country but in this building course they get essential local qualifications.
In Home Economics - Anzac Biscuits are appropriate fare while next door, students from places like Afghanistan, Croatia and Liberia are learning to write a letter... in English.
"I left Liberia when I was very small," said Patience. "I was one year old. My grandmother told me about Liberia."
In another class - I.T. is the go and next door, 'hands of friendship' are being carefully cut out for the special day.
"Harmony Day is a relatively new idea that's only been going since 1999," said Eva. "It celebrates everyone's culture but in a climate of understanding Australian values of respect and fairness."
Schools all over Australia celebrate Harmony Day but at Thebarton Senior College the message is particularly compelling.
The students were rehearsing their lunchtime concert when we were there. Waneira proudly performed her traditional Uighur dance the handed the stage over to a group of fellow students for their more upbeat version of a traditional act.
Thebarton Senior College has students from many backgrounds - a very rich addition to South Australia. The vibe is good and they'd love to share it on Harmony Day on Wednesday 21 March.
The music, food and fun will happen between 12.30 and 1.30. Everyone's welcome.
Harmony Day
21 March 2007
School open 12.30 - 1.30Thebarton Senior College
40 Ashley Street
Torrensville
Ph: 8352 5811
www.thebartonsc.sa.edu.auPublished 11th March 2007
