Recently, Prep students at Cowes Primary school embraced Education Week with great enthusiasm, diving into the theme "Celebration of Cultures."
A spokesperson for Cowes Primary described the week "as a wonderful opportunity to highlight the rich diversity of our school community and to reinforce the importance of every child feeling safe, valued, and welcome at school".
Throughout the week, families were invited to share their cultural heritage with the Prep classes.
"The response was truly heartwarming," the spokesperson said.
"Each presentation brought a unique perspective and offered the children a meaningful glimpse into the traditions, languages, and lifestyles of people around the world.
"One highlight was learning the classic song Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in Filipino. Students eagerly joined in, discovering not only new words but also how music connects us across cultures.
"Another two sessions took students on a journey to Canada, where we explored its location on the world map and compared its wildlife, food, sports, and currency with our own.
"The children were fascinated to learn about animals like moose and bears, the love for ice hockey, and how Canadian money looks and feels different from Australian coins and notes."
A special treat came in the form of delicious Macedonian snacks, generously shared by one family.
"The students delighted in tasting something new and listening to stories of Macedonian traditions.
"We also spent time learning more about Australia's own Indigenous cultures, deepening our understanding of the First Nations peoples and their profound connection to the land we live on."
The school described each presentation as "engaging, interactive and informative".
"The sessions sparked curiosity, encouraged questions, and helped students appreciate the beauty of cultural diversity," the spokesperson said.
"They also reinforced the idea that while we may have different backgrounds, we share many common values and experiences."