Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) | Hansard source

Two weeks ago, I attended Mary MacKillop College in my electorate of Sturt to witness a beautiful celebration of multiculturalism told through the stories of migration. Year 10 Mary MacKillop and Rostrevor College students collaborated to celebrate cultural diversity, share family migration histories and engage in the Italian language. Students reflected on and presented the migration journeys, struggles and triumphs of their own parents and grandparents, some of whom were in the room and who were not only deeply proud of their grandchildren but whose stories and values had shaped the students in a positive way by teaching confidence, courage, resilience and tolerance, as well as the gift of a second language. The partnership between the two colleges for this event also encouraged the students to build empathy, increase their understanding of identity and belonging, and connect with a broader cross-section of the community.

This is what migration and multiculturalism can do for us. This was multiculturalism at its best, showcased by the intelligent, kind and respectful students from Mary MacKillop College and Rostrevor College who will be our future community leaders. These students understand you can be Australian at the same time as embracing multiculturalism. The students understand that multiculturalism has shaped Australia and that multiculturalism can speak to, complement and work with core Australian values of tolerance, respect, a fair go and an open mind. I congratulate the students and their wonderful leaders, Jasmin Eckert and Shana Bennett, on what was a thought-provoking and intelligent morning.

Then, last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the assembly at the East Torrens Primary School, in Sturt, run by the reception class, to present student executives Anish and Sarah with new Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. But these are not the only flags proudly displayed at East Torrens Primary School; the school is home to students from over 40 nationalities, and all the flags are proudly displayed. Students from all across the world make up this community, including students from India, Nepal, Iran, Sri Lanka and China, many of whom speak a language other than English at home. Under the leadership of principal Ms Lynette Simons, the school is building a community of successful learners through its successful intensive English language program, which offers English language support to eligible students who were born overseas in a non-English speaking country. The program helps to prepare students for a successful transition into mainstream schooling and assists them in building the confidence they need to live in Australia. At East Torrens Primary School, multicultural students know you can be Australian and speak English at the same time as celebrating all your country of birth has to offer.

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