By Peter Douglas
A small team of Emerald Secondary College students has been busy promoting diversity over the past months.
The students, who call themselves PRIDE (Promoting Respect, Inclusion and Diversity Equally) have worked hard to develop Diversity Acceptance Week, which was held from Monday 5 June to Friday 9 June.
Principal Jodie Doble said the group had worked dillgently to achieve their goals.
“Throughout the week, they’ve engaged with numerous agencies to come to the college to help students understand differences, with the hope of reducing fear of difference, which they believe leads to bullying, segregation and mental health concerns,” she said.
Just some of the activities included blind soccer, deaf disco and wheelchair basketball.
In addition, the canteen has supported the students’ goals through providing a diverse cultural menu, with a specific country focus each day.
“Their ultimate goal is to create an inclusive community, one where everyone is accepted for who they are, not what they are,” Ms Doble said.
The group has also launched a 40-hour Diversity Challenge, where students were to give up something for 40 hours.
This is so they can experience life without things like social media, headphones and screens.
All funds raised throughout the week went towards the new Community Inclusion Garden, which the students designed in collaboration with a landscape designer.
This includes a sensory garden, calming breakout spaces, an amphitheatre and a walkway.
