International Day brought the whole School Community together to celebrate language, culture and identity. Held annually, the day reflects our vision Unity Through Diversity and highlights the inclusive spirit of IGS through storytelling, cultural exchange and shared experiences.
This year’s theme Stronger Together: Celebrating our Stories honoured the rich diversity of the IGS Community and highlighted the unique voices and journeys that shape who we are. Through storytelling, language, music, movement and food, our students explored the power of connection and discovered the strength found in understanding and valuing one another.
A Powerful Assembly to Begin the Day
The day commenced with a High School Assembly featuring keynote speakers and student voices. Language Leader Greta opened the event, followed by Head Boy Lachlan, who introduced Principal Shauna Colnan after an Acknowledgement of Country in various languages.
Principal Colnan welcomed students with a reflection on IGS as a dynamic, multilingual community shaped by diverse stories and perspectives. She reminded students that International Day is a celebration of language, culture and connection – an opportunity to honour our differences, share our journeys and come together as one united Community.
Director of Languages Regine Berghofer then shared the significance of this year’s theme Stronger Together: Celebrating our Stories and her story with languages. A series of keynote speakers, including alum Theresa Briganti, teachers Mona Geppart, Jessica Slater and Janine Joseph, students Kai and Orla, and staff and parents shared personal stories that celebrated language, identity and belonging.
Musical highlights included a moving a cappella performance of the Latvian folk song Jumalo, a solo performance of Yseult by Year 11 student Luella and Year 8 student Dara’s stirring guitar rendition of Asturias by Albéniz.
After the assembly, High School students participated in a rich selection of forums and activities across the day. In House groups, students explored themes of identity and connection through:
African and Taiko drumming workshops
- A Korean language taster
- Aboriginal Astronomy with Sydney Zoo
- A World Cup of Futsal and Basketball competition
- Anime drawing, samba music and art workshops
- Exchanges with students from France, Germany, Italy and Japan
Primary Celebrations: Dance, Culture and Creativity
Across the Early Learning Centre and Primary School, students engaged in an intercultural program of workshops, performances and activities. From sugar painting and Japanese calligraphy to Kung Fu, belly dancing and Arabic dance, each year group had the opportunity to learn from guest artists, parents and teachers.
Highlights included:
- A mesmerising Lion Dance performance for the youngest learners
- Traditional Serbian, Greek, Nepali, Colombian and Arabic dance workshops
- Language and cultural workshops led by our talented IGS Language staff in Chinese, French, German and Japanese
- Parent-led sessions, including Chinese character workshops, calligraphy and translation activities
- Music and drumming sessions from African and Samba traditions
The Primary School also gathered for an Assembly, hosted by Language Leaders Issy and Luca, who opened with greetings in Italian and Japanese before inviting Year 6 students to deliver a multilingual Acknowledgement of Country. As with the High School Assembly in the morning, Principal Shauna Colnan shared a warm welcome, reflecting on IGS as a vibrant, multilingual community where every student’s story contributes to the rich tapestry of the School. This was followed by speeches from both Director of Languages Regine Berghofer and Alum Theresa Briganti.
The Assembly featured a range of delightful performances by Year 1 students, including a Japanese skit Let’s Go to the Bakery, a Chinese poem and folk dance, and songs in Italian, German and French. The crowd also celebrated the creativity and spirit of the Community with a vibrant costume competition, led by Vilma Rotellini.
The event concluded with a warm message from Sarah Herbert, formally closing the Assembly.
A Culinary Journey Around the World
At lunchtime, the School was transformed into a global marketplace. Students, staff and families savoured flavours from across the globe at a variety of food stalls, offering favourites like dumplings, souvlaki, eclairs, ice cream, mini karaage burgers, pretzels and much more.
This lunch was a moment for the Community to come together and celebrate through one of the most universal languages of all – food.
Community Lunch
A special highlight of the day was the formal community lunch hosted by social entrepreneur Ravi Prasad, founder of Parliament on King – winner of The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide’s Food for Good Award and recipient of the NSW Human Rights Medal (2022). Held in the IGS Bibliothèque, the lunch brought together some members of our School Community for a shared meal and meaningful conversations.
Our Thanks
This inspiring day would not be possible without the leadership of the Director of Languages Regine Berghofer, and the tireless work of our Languages staff, classroom teachers and Maintenance team. We are also deeply grateful to the many parents, carers, volunteers and community members who contributed their time, talents and traditions, helping bring the theme Stronger Together: Celebrating our Stories to life.
We extend special thanks to the Consulates of Argentina, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Malta, Nepal, Portugal, Spain and Thailand, who generously gave their time to lead activities, games, crafts and cultural experiences in their country rooms.
Together, we continue to build a Community where every story matters, and where our diversity is our greatest strength.