CUPPA SPEAKS FOR DIVERSE CULTURES BANKSIA Secondary College last week hosted a tea ceremony for the parents of Somali students as part of its Multicultural Week. Parent Hawa Amin (right) and student Batra made the most of the opportunity, enjoying a cuppa and a chat.

A HEIDELBERG school is using a tea ceremony to welcome new members into the community and to break down barriers. Banksia Secondary College last week hosted the tea ceremony for parents of Somali students as part of its multicultural week. Heidelberg West has the biggest settlement of Somalis in Victoria.

The school and Berry Street Community Resource Centre have been working together for the past five years to celebrate the differences in the school. Parents provided coffee, tea and food, and staff shared a traditional tea ceremony with them.

Student welfare co-ordinator Cheryl Kilsby said the purpose of the morning tea was to welcome the parents to the school and allow them to discuss any issues that might be of concern to them. This was the second morning tea at the school, and one of many taking place in schools around Victoria.

The project is funded by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs as part of its anti-racism policy.