Students, teachers and parents at Providence Elementary School in St George turned a day of global celebration into a lively lesson in identity, empathy and belonging on Friday, as more than 30 cultures were showcased during the school’s annual Multicultural Day.
Spanish teacher Chad Small, one of the main organisers, said the event goes far beyond food and displays, focusing instead on helping children understand who they are and how they relate to others.
Chad Small, Multicultural Day Coordinator and Spanish teacher. (LE)
“This is my third or fourth year doing Multicultural Day here,” he said. “As you can see, it takes a lot. It’s a big event. It takes a lot of planning… the planning starts months, months in advance.”
He explained that preparations for this year’s event began as early as November, with careful coordination required to secure participation from embassies and contributors.
“The logistics have to be sorted out. The tents have to go up. The embassies that are invited need plenty of time,” he said. “As you can see, we have food from all over the world… some people bring stuff from overseas to display.”
Despite the effort, Small said the impact on students makes it worthwhile.
“It’s fun. The students enjoy it. It’s engaging. It’s important,” he stressed. “Not only is it very important for students to appreciate other cultures… it’s meaningful.”
He added that the deeper goal is shaping how students interact in society.
“To get students just to understand the importance of culture, to appreciate differences, to live together in harmony… it’s just a way for not only children, for everybody to appreciate one another.”
The event extended beyond the classroom, drawing strong participation from families and the wider community.
“We invite the parents… everybody who can come, in the Providence community,” he said, noting that the shared experience helps strengthen connections between school and home.
Principal Kiran Mahtani said the initiative reflects the school’s founding philosophy, which places equal emphasis on cultural awareness alongside academics.
Kiran Mahtani, Principal of Providence Elementary School. (LE)
“The original founders, 20 years ago, had a very clear vision about inclusivity and diversity, celebrating our differences,” she said. “They didn’t just want students to learn about reading and mathematics and languages.”
Instead, she explained, the aim has always been broader.
“It was definitely to learn about cultures, languages, different types of food, and to be absolutely accepting and understanding of different cultures.”
Throughout the day, students were exposed to a wide range of performances and interactive experiences designed to reinforce those values.
“We had the Barbados Community College music programme… with performances on Tuk Band and calypso,” she said. “We had the Confucius Institute… and then a martial artist who performed Capoeira with a little bit of a fire demonstration.”
Students themselves also took part in storytelling and drama.
“Some of our own students performed just a little bit of a skit on the importance of diversity and how that makes us kinder and more understanding.”
Mahtani highlighted that the diversity on display reflects the school’s own population.
“The cultures that are represented here today by our parents are from all over the place… and so we have students from different diverse backgrounds and countries,” she said. “And that’s what makes us who we are.”
This year’s event featured participation from the embassies of Venezuela, Panama, Japan and Argentina, as well as cultural organisations including the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies and Alliance Française. Parents and students also represented countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, Syria, Iran, Jamaica, Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, England, DR Congo, Canada and Ecuador.
Special performances included a Brazilian Capoeira and fire-eating demonstration by Roy Downes from Ignite Entertainment, a traditional Indian dance and a musical showcase blending jazz and pop influences.
Roy Downes from Ignite Entertainment performing a fire dance. (LE)
For Small, the message was simple but powerful. “It’s just a way… for everybody to appreciate one another.” (LE)
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