-By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BARU – A number of International schools in Malaysia in the month of July celebrate the International Day & Family Day with their diverse school community made up of multi-racial students and teaching staff.

On this special day students come together with their families and friends to spend a quality day to mingle and get to know one another in a relaxed atmosphere.

International Day & Family Day provides a good opportunity for parents together with their children to engage in school activities, bringing members of the school community – students, teachers, staff, and parents – a step closer to better understanding, cooperation, communication, and goodwill which are essential ingredients for a harmonious school community.

Through these activities, the students learn organizational skills, teamwork, and cooperation while putting their creativity and innovative skills to work.

On this day normally the school or institution draws up a series of exciting programmes specially designed for this occasion.

Among other, the activities open for participation by parents, guardians, students, and staff are exhibitions of culture and customs, various national landmarks and buildings, food preparation demonstrations, display of native art and craft, cultural dress parade, performances of traditional songs, musical instruments, dances and games.

The entire school community will be dressed in their traditional attire representing their different nations.

Austin Heights International School (AHIS) marked the occasion with pomp and splendor. The school hall was decorated and stalls depicting various countries with its themes were set-up by students from these nations. The 1,100 pupils were involved with helping to organize the day and took pride in the work they had done.

According to the organizers, all proceeds from the sales of coupons will be channeled to selected charity organizations earmarked by the school. This is in line with the school’s culture of inculcating among its students, a sense of responsibility for the community, the less fortunate and the underprivileged.

Addressing the students during the launch of International Day & Family Day, the school’s acting principal Suresh Kumar Balakrishnan said through this celebration they hope to instil a sense of togetherness across these diverse cultures through an exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding.

“Your presence will certainly add to the atmosphere of goodwill, harmony, and unity that is synonymous with Austin Heights International School,” he remarked.

Suresh said that the event serves as a reminder of the remarkable diversity that thrives within the school walls.

“It offers us the opportunity to celebrate the distinctive talents, backgrounds, and experiences that each individual brings to our community,” he said.

He went on to say that by embracing diversity, we broaden our horizons, expand our perspectives, and equip ourselves for a future where collaboration, empathy, and open-mindedness hold paramount importance.

Going further, he said, together we foster a community that embraces diversity and revels in the vibrancy of various cultures.

He stressed that today’s gathering of International Day and Family Day exemplify the beauty of unity amidst diversity, reminding us that we are citizens of a global village intricately connected and interdependent.

“We not only celebrate our differences but also seek common ground, cultivating respect, tolerance, and appreciation for one another,” he explained.

He called on all those present to reminisce that our differences should never divide us but rather inspire us to learn from one another, grow together, and construct a harmonious and inclusive world.

Students, parents and their relatives from 25 nationalities were present to participate in the variety of activities celebrating that multicultural mix.

Present at the ceremony were the Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto, his wife Marsianda Widiyanto, Deputy Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia Andreza Sethia Dasuki, and  Windriya Novila, an official from the Consulate General.

Also in attendance were the school’s chairman Dato’ Ir. Steve Chong Yoon On, the school’s chief executive officer Datin Low Peck Tim, CEO of Austin Heights Group of Companies Chong Khai Siang and Lui Lai Nam, the school’s governor.