Unit 4 English Assignment
For boys who have passed by or through the Middle School this week you will have noticed that the precinct was awash with the colour orange in the form of balloons and banners. The boys in Year 8 will, I hope, be able to tell you that this display of orange was to mark Harmony Day, an event organised by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. It is aimed at celebrating our cultural diversity and promoting tolerance and respect for racial difference.
The theme for Harmony Day in 2011 is ‘Everyone Belongs’, promoting the idea that all Australians form an important part of our country, regardless of their background. Harmony Day is a time to reflect on where Australia has come from, as well as a time to recognise the traditional owners …show more content…
Furthermore, almost 50 percent of our 22 million people were either born overseas, or had one or both parents born overseas. The tangible effects of Australia having this incredible multi-cultural society are obvious. On a daily basis we are reminded of the unquestionable benefits that flow from the rich ethnic blend that now makes up our society. It is undeniable that the linguistic, cultural and social connections that come from being a multicultural society provide vast economic benefits and support the development of prosperous international business links. Also, one need only look at the incredible diversity in cuisine we enjoy, the range of furnishings from other countries with which we decorate our homes, and even the different customs many of us weave into our own lives, to see the vibrant impact that such rich ethnic diversity has on all of our lives. On the whole Australians are tolerant of these different cultural influences, in fact most of us embrace them willingly and enjoy the …show more content…
Respect by its very definition embraces tolerance. True respect for others involves acceptance of difference. I am sure that you will also agree that tolerance is a core leadership characteristic. Great leaders demonstrate understanding and embrace diversity – turning it into a strength, and building unity from that diversity.
In a school that has a proud tradition of scholarly excellence, having produced some of the country’s great thinkers and leaders, I put it to you that we are courageous enough, proud enough and confident enough to engage in such conversations and be prepared to examine what it looks like and feels like to be in the ethnic minority and be a member of our community.
I actually do believe that we are, on the whole a tolerant school that operates mainly at a higher level of tolerance. I think we do challenge stereotypes and we do genuinely embrace diversity. In making my assessment I can only use the personal barometer I work with every day. It is part of my job to work with boys who have made wrong choices. Of the matters I’ve dealt with over the years I can honestly say that it is not very often that it has involved racial slurs or acts of prejudice. I’m not saying that it doesn’t occur – I know it does but I don’t believe it is not endemic in our school
The theme for Harmony Day in 2011 is ‘Everyone Belongs’, promoting the idea that all Australians form an important part of our country, regardless of their background. Harmony Day is a time to reflect on where Australia has come from, as well as a time to recognise the traditional owners …show more content…
Furthermore, almost 50 percent of our 22 million people were either born overseas, or had one or both parents born overseas. The tangible effects of Australia having this incredible multi-cultural society are obvious. On a daily basis we are reminded of the unquestionable benefits that flow from the rich ethnic blend that now makes up our society. It is undeniable that the linguistic, cultural and social connections that come from being a multicultural society provide vast economic benefits and support the development of prosperous international business links. Also, one need only look at the incredible diversity in cuisine we enjoy, the range of furnishings from other countries with which we decorate our homes, and even the different customs many of us weave into our own lives, to see the vibrant impact that such rich ethnic diversity has on all of our lives. On the whole Australians are tolerant of these different cultural influences, in fact most of us embrace them willingly and enjoy the …show more content…
Respect by its very definition embraces tolerance. True respect for others involves acceptance of difference. I am sure that you will also agree that tolerance is a core leadership characteristic. Great leaders demonstrate understanding and embrace diversity – turning it into a strength, and building unity from that diversity.
In a school that has a proud tradition of scholarly excellence, having produced some of the country’s great thinkers and leaders, I put it to you that we are courageous enough, proud enough and confident enough to engage in such conversations and be prepared to examine what it looks like and feels like to be in the ethnic minority and be a member of our community.
I actually do believe that we are, on the whole a tolerant school that operates mainly at a higher level of tolerance. I think we do challenge stereotypes and we do genuinely embrace diversity. In making my assessment I can only use the personal barometer I work with every day. It is part of my job to work with boys who have made wrong choices. Of the matters I’ve dealt with over the years I can honestly say that it is not very often that it has involved racial slurs or acts of prejudice. I’m not saying that it doesn’t occur – I know it does but I don’t believe it is not endemic in our school