Like many things over the past year and a half, Culture Week as planned, with its cultural food stalls and whole school cultural mufti day, had to be reshaped. Along with help from our amazing Cultural Committee, Culture Representative Student Leaders and other student volunteers we were able to bring an entirely virtual Culture Week to Carmel students.

For each morning of last week, we had different activities in place for students. They started off the week with a Monday morning call with their Atawhai groups to play cultural quizzes and pray and reflect on what culture means for them. We emphasised how the week to come would be a great way for the students to practice and reflect on the core Mercy value for this year; Respect. It is important in our multicultural school that we respect each other’s cultures and their practices, entering into these discussions and experiences with an open mind.

For the next three days we hosted a wide range of cultural activities for students to participate in before their classes started for the day. We had activities including cultural calligraphy, Pasifika dance classes, cultural cooking sessions, a cultural panel and Pasifika myths and legends storytelling. There was a great response to these activities with many of the virtual calls reaching maximum capacity. On Friday the students were in video calls with their House groups competing in a whole House Kahoot.

Our Level 4 bubbles can often leave us with a feeling of isolation and seclusion from the rest of the world, so we were happy to showcase to the students a wide range of cultures from across the world, all from the comfort of their own bubble. We are so grateful for everyone who helped us cope and make culture amazing!

HERE is a link to the Cultural Cookbook the committee members put together.

Amy Usherwood and Dina Aziz (Heads of Arts and Culture)