19-23
MAY
EDUCATION WEEK 2025
Cultural diversity a great strength S
BY BEN CARROLL, EDUCATION MINISTER
omething that lies at the heart of our vibrant communities here in the ‘Education State’ is cultural diversity.
In Victoria, we are home to people from more than 200 countries, who speak 260 languages and practice 135 different faiths. This rich tapestry of cultures is not just a statistic; it is one of our greatest strengths. This year’s theme of Education Week,
from May 19 to 23, is ‘Celebration of cultures’ and invites schools, families and communities to engage with activities and resources that highlight the importance of cultural diversity in education, and to come together to share their stories. In our schools, we have a unique opportunity to harness diversity and teach our children about the world. Learning about different cultures is not just an academic exercise, it is a powerful way to foster acceptance and understanding among our young people.
Horsham College students Karla Hallam and Nyah Dougherty in charge.
By integrating lessons on cultural awareness into our curriculum we help students develop essential skills for navigating the world, learning to respect others from all walks of life. This is not just beneficial for their school years; it prepares them for future workplaces where they can demonstrate great inclusivity and empathy. Schools play a critical role in combatting racism and discrimination. By fostering an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and heard, we can take a stand against prejudice.
This approach ensures our schools are safe havens for all students and their families and empowers our schools to create communities that emulate these lessons learned within their walls. We can build a future where every child feels proud of their traditions and heritage and feels empowered to learn from others. Let’s embrace the diversity that makes Victoria unique and inspire our young people to be champions of inclusion. To find more about the free events and activities visit vic.gov.au/education-week. Education Minister Ben Carroll
Wimmera Lutheran College students Evie Kalms and Isobel Dempsey deep in concentration.
Counting on each other
A
Horsham College student Sophie Risson.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Horsham Primary School team won the Horsham College-run Maths Olympics from hundreds of grade six students, ahead of 40 other teams. Event co-ordinator Heather Deayton said students from Horsham West and Haven, Horsham, and Natimuk primary schools, and Wimmera Lutheran College participated in three rounds of competition in the annual event. “The teams work co-operatively to try to answer as many of the maths puzzles as possible, and the last round involves a lot of physical running to get question sheets and to have their answers checked,” she said. “It is full-on activity, noisey and fun, along with the solving of the maths questions. “It is always great to see the interactions of the students within their teams, their schools and with students from other schools throughout the day.” Ms Deayton said Horsham College teachers and Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
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a class of year-nine students assisted at this year’s event, which had a lower number of participants than last year. “We had some key staff – maths learning area head Georgie McIntyre, academic counsellor Bonita O’Brien, and maths teacher guru Nick Rigas – who were involved in the preparation and running of the event, along with a year-nine class of students who helped with the adjudication and recording of results,” she said. “Unfortunately, Ss Michael and John’s Primary School was unable to attend this year as there was a clash with an athletics day for the primary schools, so our numbers were down.” Horsham Primary School Team 3 won the first round and the overall competition, with West Team 1 the winner of round two, and Natimuk Number Ninjas the round three winner.
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