Logan is the most diverse city in the state, and possibly the country.
And our schools are no different.
Canterbury College at Waterford showcased that diversity recently with its fifth annual United Nations Day celebrations, attracting thousands of local students and families for a day of learning and wonder.
Featuring colour, culture and connection, about 2000 families from 60 nations transformed the school for the celebration.
After humble beginnings under heavy Covid restrictions, UN Day is now the college’s largest event of the year.
The event, which has grown from a small school assembly during 2020 into a full-scale cultural festival, opened with what was described as a ‘moving’ welcome to country and smoking ceremony from Mununjali and local elders, followed by a vibrant ‘parade of
nations’ with students carrying flags representing their heritage.
Featuring the likes of Vietnamese bánh mì, Samoan dance and South Korean K-pop, the
celebrations offered powerful stories of family journeys, refugee experiences, and cultural pride through student-led performances.
There was also a cultural fashion parade and hands-on activities, such as Indigenous weaving and henna art.
“United Nations Day is more than a festival; it’s a living reflection of who we are as a community,” the school’s deputy principal Meagan King said.
“It’s about learning from each other and growing together.”
During its first year in 2020, there were only four dance numbers and about 40 chairs laid out in front of the school canteen.
Since then, the event has showcased cultures from across Africa, Polynesia and the Pacific Islands, the Americas, western and eastern Europe, Australasia and every Asian region – with cultural food prepared and served by the school’s parents and friends.
Principal Dan Walker said the event reflected Canterbury College’s mission to prepare students to be ‘world ready’.
“It’s not just a showcase of culture,” he said.
“It teaches empathy, leadership, and pride in identity.
“It’s about shaping confident, globally engaged young Australians.”
