The third New Horizon -Building Cross Cultural Community Bridges was an Arts Festival, A Better World. This was performed on the evening of Friday 25th September.

Participation in creative activities is  an effective way of bringing together cultural groups, all of whom enjoy performing through music and dance. The festival created an opportunity for a number of community groups to perform in an outside concert. Some of the groups were professional while others had been a part of the community workshops that had been running at the school throughout the year. Staging and lighting created a festive atmosphere with an al fresco cafe completing the setting.

For the students, the Festival was a culmination of  the students' Creative Arts Program. Art and Craft displays as well as students' PowerPoint and media presentations were showcased throughout the evening.

The festival opened with entertainment from community groups. Guests munched on hamburgers and snacks while they enjoyed performances representing various cultures of the world.

The West Region Chinese Association began with an elaborate dance and drumming routine.This group has a long history of providing assistance to Chinese people throughout the west of Sydney. They have performed at many venues including Darling Harbour and the opening of the Sydney ceremony for the Beijing Olympics.

Exciting and dynamic African drumming, under the direction of Tonny Birungi, showcased the success that the STAP programme has had in getting local children involved. This is a great introduction to African music and culture.

A colourful Indian Bhangra dance under the direction of Poornima Sharma had the 400 strong audience cheering and clapping to the Mehboob Mere and Dholna routines.

The combined Pacific Island dance toupe, wearing a puletasi outfit with a titi decoration around the waist, performed an Hawaiian hula dance. This group was a combination of the Samoan, Tongan and Maori communities.

Les Saxby, Indigenous musician, demonstrated his culture through dance, music and re-enactments of stories from the Dreaming. He interacted with the audience while he taught the children and parents a few steps as he played the didgeridoo.

In another number, the dancers from the 'friendly island' Tonga received thunderous applause and cheers.

The students programme continued the theme of A Better World  with performance of the songs Ebony and Ivory and Heal the World. Individual performances of piano playing, the recorder  and poetry groups, aerobics and Kung Fu routines as well as Indian and South Pacific dances all added to the multicultural flavor of the evening.  A memory of the 2008 Beijing Olympics was stirred with an athletic display by the drama group. All of these groups were directed by the teachers of the school, whose dedication and committment to the students was evident.

The finale  was magnificent. All the performers crowded onto the stage with their colourful rainbows and flowers and in continuance of the theme A Better World , the students sang What A wonderful World. It was  a fantastic culmination to the evening and illustrated how the school is able to create a supportative and caring environment where all groups are able to maintain their cultural identity and make their special contribution to the school and the wider community.

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This project is proudly supported by the Australian Government's Living In Harmony program.

Visit www.harmony.gov.au for further information.