St. Michaels University School Grade 3 students recently welcomed members of the Senior School Intercultural Council into their classrooms as part of the “Story of Me” project. This collaboration created a memorable experience for Junior and Senior School students to share their cultures and personal stories.
In the weeks leading up to the visit, Grade 3 students explored their own identities by writing about themselves, mapping their family origins, designing personal flags and bringing in meaningful artifacts. When Senior School students arrived, each group paired one senior student with three Grade 3 students to share their stories.
The younger students shared their stories and explained the items they had brought from home. Senior School students then shared their own experiences, languages and traditions, representing cultures from around the world.
In some groups, the conversations quickly turned hands-on. Alex P. tried on a traditional robe brought in by classmate Ray G., with Grade 12 student Bashara AlBusaidi helping him tie it. Charlotte G. carefully unrolled a traditional painting larger than her entire group, pointing out the colours to Grade 12 student Leila Mostachfi. Nearby, Aya D., Lex F. and Kaya D. sampled sweet treats from Mexico during their visit with Grade 12 student Valentina Elizalde Olea.
“Our council's focus is to ensure different cultures at our school are properly represented and that everybody has a chance to share their culture with each other,” added Christian Ng, Co-Head of the Senior School Intercultural Council. “Having Senior School students who represent more than 40 nationalities share their language and culture gives younger students a better understanding of what culture can mean.”
After listening to one another, Grade 3 students noted similarities, differences and unique discoveries before colouring a world map together to show where their stories connect.
“We really start by focusing on who they are,” said Grade 3 teacher Jeremy Bell, also a house parent who experiences first-hand the diversity among the boarding community at the Senior School. “Then we look at culture through their family and where their family comes from, and finally through their peers. It was a great opportunity to bring Junior and Senior School students together. Even though there are differences in culture, students can see the similarities and how multiculturalism can bring us together.”
With more than 240 boarding students joining the community each year from around the world, the activity offered Grade 3 students a meaningful glimpse into the global perspectives that shape the school community.
