Recently, Howick Kindergarten had the wonderful opportunity to join in the celebration of International Day at Owairoa Primary School. This event, typically an annual tradition, had been postponed for the past three years due to the challenges brought about by the Covid pandemic. On this special occasion, the students of Owairoa Primary School came in their national costumes, creating a vibrant and colourful spectacle as they paraded around the school grounds with their peers from the same countries.

To make the most of this exciting day, we organised an excursion and extended invitations to parents, encouraging them to join us on our walk to the neighbouring school. At Howick, we are proud of our focus on community, and for this excursion, we were delighted to have more than half of our community involved as parent helpers to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. The children displayed remarkable responsibility, walking alongside their assigned parents. Upon reaching Owairoa Primary School, Deputy Principal Kirsty kindly met us at the gate and stayed by our side throughout the parade. She even extended a warm invitation for us to join future events, leaving us excited for more. She helped us find a special spot to sit, and the children eagerly watched as the students from various countries strolled by in their beautifully adorned outfits. We enthusiastically cheered for each country, feeling like honoured guests at their school. Many older siblings from the school came to greet our children in their parade.

Our experience of immersing ourselves in different cultures and participating in Owairoa Primary’s special day left an indelible mark on us. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Owairoa for graciously hosting us. We also want to express our sincerest thanks to everyone who played a part in making this day so extraordinary. This event provided us with a valuable opportunity to connect with our local primary school and celebrate the rich diversity of our school community here in Howick. It also served as a valuable lesson in the importance of inclusivity and embracing diverse cultures in all aspects of life. We look forward to engaging more with our local school for our learning journey, especially the ‘Be School Ready’ program.