Harmony Day 2025 was celebrated on Wednesday 26 March 2025 with a vibrant showcase of performances that highlighted the rich cultural diversity within our community. This special day allowed us to connect and celebrate the invisible threads that bind us together through music, dance, story and song.
Our celebration began with an Acknowledgment of Country read by Year 7 student Memphis Terare followed by Year 12 student Taylah Henry sharing what Country means to her.
"I am a proud Dyirbal, Girmay woman from far North Queensland. Country means everything to me – it is my identity, my connection to my ancestors, and the source of my strength. It is more than just land; it holds our stories, our culture, and our way of life. Country is where I feel most grounded, where I learn from my Elders. My family also has strong ties up north, where they continue to uphold our values, customs, and way of life. To respect and care for Country is to honour those who came before us and ensure that future generations can continue to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. Their presence there reflects a deep sense of unity, history, and belonging, reminding me that no matter where I go, my culture and family will always be my home," Taylah said.
Performance showcase began with the First Nations Dance group, who performed the 'Eagle Dance' followed by a Torres Strait Islands dance. This was followed by a powerful Māori song, 'Tiaho Mai Ra,' which translates to 'Shine On'. This song encourages strength and perseverance, reflecting the importance of community and connection in Māori life.
Next, we enjoyed performances from Africa, Scotland, and El Salvador. The African dancers brought dynamic moves and sounds that define African culture. The Highland Fling, an important piece of Scottish culture, showcased the strength and agility of warriors, symbolising victory and the distinct identities of different clans. The dance from El Salvador, called 'Cumbia', is usually performed for special occasions like Independence Day.
The Samoan Middle Years group shared their culture through 'Siva Samoa', a traditional dance that tells stories and showcases the importance of Samoan values and traditions. The Tongan dance, 'Tau'olunga', traditionally performed by young single women, was also a highlight, reflecting the language, morals and values of Tongan culture.
Our Harmony Day celebration is a beautiful reminder of the diversity and unity within our community. Through these performances, we honoured the traditions and cultures that make us unique, while also celebrating the common threads that bind and connect us all.
At the end of the assembly Ms Ryan, Assistant Principal Identity and Formation invited students to take a moment to savour this experience and to be grateful. She reminded students to carry in their heart a moment from the assembly that touched them and to hold onto this so that an understanding of harmony becomes much more than a one-off celebration but a way of knowing and being in unity with all.
Ms Ryan said, “The real beauty of celebrating Harmony Day in the way we do is that it allows us to dialogue in a different way. We dialogue through dance, story, music and song and that creates a unity that holds all our differences together."
Additionally, a group of 31 students performed at St Ann's School, Redbank Plains Harmony Day Showcase.
"The students were proud to share their cultures through dance and also connect with the St Ann's students as one of our Brisbane Catholic Education sister primary schools. Our students were welcomed into a very caring community of staff, students and families, where a spirit of inclusion, celebration and hospitality was warmly felt," Ms Ryan said.
All photos from the Harmony Day Assembly can be found in the '2025 Harmony Day' folder under the 'Photos' tab on the Parent Portal.
© Brisbane Catholic Education, St Peter Claver College, 2025.