Inaugural multicultural day is a resounding success at EVC
ENNISCORTHY Vocational College highlighted its all-inclusive nature this month when it held its inaugural Multicultural Day.
Commenting on the event to this newspaper Principal, Iain Wickham, described the initiative as ‘ hugely worthwhile’.
The day gave all the students in the school an opportunity to showcase their home nation and in doing so educate their fellow students.
For a school like the Vocational College it was a very fitting event as it currently has students with direct links to 23 different nationalities attending and on Multicultural Day the countries represented included: Australia, Lithuania, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Poland, USA, and Syria to name just a few.
The work of the students showcasing their respective countries was enhanced by visual displays which highlighted everything that makes their native countries unique and interesting.
The presentations included fun facts, history and information about local traditions.
One of the things that any world traveller likes to experience is the cuisine in other countries and in the Vocational College the food fair aspect of Multicultural Day was a very popular centrepiece event.
The students and their families, assisted by Ms Martina Henderson, prepared national dishes and delicacies from a broad range of countries - many of which are thousands of miles away from Enniscorthy.
Mr Wickham said the school was decorated with the national flags of the 23 different nationalities represented in the facility by the student population.
Face painting also took place on the day courtesy of the Transition Year students.
Lunchtime was filled with music and dance as staff and students entertained those assembled and First Year students participated in a ‘ Where in the World’ table quiz throughout the afternoon.
‘Multicultural Day created a real opportunity to celebrate both diversity and integration in [the school],’ said Mr Wickham.
‘ To see the pride of students in their native traditions and language was heart-warming,’ he added.
While being a celebration of cultural diversity the event also recognised the importance of helping students to acquire skills and positive attitudes to negotiate, communicate and interact with individuals from diverse cultures.
Mr Wickham thanked Ms Merriman for coordinating the entire event and also the staff and students who helped make the day a resounding success.