SOME Riverland West students got colourful recently while learning about and celebrating diversity.
Waikerie Lutheran Primary School (WLPS) senior students commemorated Harmony Week by creating two artworks currently on display at the top of McCoy Street, Waikerie.
WLPS principal Adam Borgas said the students made the artwork with the essence of Harmony Week in mind as well as the philosophy of International Baccalaureate.
“The artworks created by the students represent the diverse cultures found within the Waikerie community through the use of national flags,” he said.
“As an International Baccalaureate World School, WLPS aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
“The students would like to thank Darren and Carolyn Kleeman – the owners of the shop front along the main street – for allowing them to display their artwork for the community to see.”
Meanwhile, WLPS also celebrated the Indian Holi Festival, known as the Festival of Colours, with a “colour run”.
Mr Borgas said the students enjoyed celebrating other cultural traditions.
“One student remarked that while Holi celebrated the arrival of spring and the end of winter, it’s also a festive day to meet others, forget and forgive, and falls very close to Easter,” he said.
“We think this is a great reason for WLPS students and families to celebrate Holi as, at Easter, God’s love was demonstrated in Jesus dying on the cross to save us from our sin.”
The students also participated in creating designs called ‘rangoli’, which symbolise the vibrancy of new life that spring brings.
“I loved making the designs on the D’Vine Hall floor with my friends,” senior student Sam said.
“It is pretty interesting that the Sikh people celebrate this festival, and it is a lunar festival like Easter and so close to Easter – they celebrate the same sort of things.”