RHS - Where Diversity Thrives

Culture Fest 2023

After two years of COVID-19 disruption, we held our Culture Fest again this year. It was an outstanding event with 24 performances from Riccarton High School and other community groups. Being able to purchase delicious food from 14 food stalls around the world, was a highlight for many.

Talented performers from our school and other various ethnic cultural groups created an event that was truly rich in cultural performances. We were treated to amazing displays from  Māori, Pasifika, Filipino, Chinese, Indian, Korean, Nigerian, Bangladeshi, Iranian, Japanese, and Mexican groups. 

We were joined by approximately one thousand visitors, comprising three local schools and the wider Christchurch community, all enjoying the performances and tasting the scrumptious food. Our very own Kapa Haka held a sausage sizzle stall, and any thirst was quenched with bubble tea, ice cream and a coffee cart.

Both of our Kahui Ako schools, Te Kāpehu Riccarton and Wharenui Primary school, joined the festival and the young performers brightened up the stage beautifully. We truly appreciate their participation.

Also a big thank you to our local library for bringing along the Book Bus.

It was a wonderful evening embracing and celebrating the cultural diversity of our community. We thank the audience, performers and food vendors for making the event extremely successful and look forward to doing it again next year.

Unity Week

“Assalamu Alaikum”- peace be upon you. 

We have reached the fourth anniversary of the the March 15 tragedy, and our hearts go out to the Christchurch Muslim Community. Like previous years, we embraced taking an active role in Unity Week Nz.

Unity Week was launched by the Sakinah Community Trust to remember and honour the shuhadas whose lives were lost four years ago, all while promoting unity and cultural diversity within our society. Held on 15-21 March, this year’s theme was “Unity begins with U”. The Culture Committee in collaboration with RHS MAD and Mana Toroa, ran a number of events throughout the week, including a cultural dress-up day: https://youtu.be/G-9Ilb-Jt2s, flower planting in our memorial garden, constructing  our unity wall and singing 'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi' with the whole school as our entry into the Unity week contest. Please check the links to enjoy the videos. The flower planting has been an annual event and we thank Mr Darren Rogan, our ground keeper, for guiding the students to organise this.  

Ka pai, Abhipsha, Sadiyah, Sam, Rahil, Hannah and all the people involved in organising these activities and making the Riccarton whānau proud.   

Simurgh music school workshop

Simurgh Music School enthralled us with a mesmerising music workshop to celebrate the Persian New Year- Nowruz. Held in the Learning Centres in our library, it was a wonderful experience not only for our students but for members of the public who were visiting the library at that time. The audience were introduced to some well known Persian instruments, and had the opportunity to play them with the artists; Simurgh, Esmail and Liam.

 If you are interested to learn more about their activities, please contact https://simurgh.nz/.