DHSS an ‘example to world’

UNESCO ambassadors visit school

DARLING Heights State School has been lauded as an “example to the world” for its diversity and inclusiveness by one of a delegation of UNESCO ambassadors visiting Toowoomba this week.

Ahmed Sayyad, who first visited Toowoomba in 2017, said he returned to Paris and told the UNESCO ambassadors about the “unique experience” he had witnessed at DHSS.

Yesterday, the school’s students - around 50% of which hail from countries other than Australia - gathered in the school hall to celebrate Harmony Day, as well as the UNESCO delegation’s visit.

More than 49 countries were represented during the Harmony Day service.

Mr Sayyad said the service was “fantastic”.

“The different clothes, the different mentalities, that is diversity and that is why we hope

‘‘ WE HOPE AT LEAST IN (OTHER) BIG CITIES AROUND THE WORLD, (IF THERE WAS) ONLY ONE SCHOOL LIKE (DHSS), WE COULD CHANGE MANY THINGS.”

AHMED SAYYAD

at least in (other) big cities around the world, (if there was) only one school like (DHSS), we could change many things,” he said.

During the service, groups of students whose origins range from as far afield as Bangladesh to Burundi and Zimbabwe to Zambia, took turns in greeting the assembly in their native language.

DHSS teacher Beverley Briffa said Harmony Day was very special to the school.

Photos: Kevin Farmer WE ARE ONE: Representing Uganda, Wendy Poni (left) and Anna Kalondja react to fellow students saying hello in different languages during Harmony Day celebrations at Darling Heights State School.

Samira Nowrozy representing Afghanistan at Harmony Day celebrations at Darling Heights State School.

After addressing the assembly are (from left) Mary Inkindi, Adams and Enock Mukeba on Harmony Day celebrations. Evie