December 20, 2023
A reflection on this year
As we look back to this past year, Cultural Infusion is proud of what we have achieved in 2023. We have welcomed new presenters, introduced cultural programs, and expanded our resources to offer a more diverse and engaging experience for students and educators alike. This year, the Education and Experiences team also attended a series of conferences and events. We re-launched our Event Management Services and developed new curriculum-aligned Professional Development programs to provide educators the tools to engage more meaningfully when teaching Intercultural Understanding in the classroom. Join us as we explore our highlights and accomplishments that have made up 2023!
New in 2023
New Presenters
Cultural Infusion is proud to introduce the new presenters that have joined the team in 2023. Their unique perspectives and expertise, drawing on their respective cultures is brought to light in their programs, through history, art, music, dance, sustainability, theatre, and more. Many of these presenters have delivered programs all across Australia, and we’ve been delighted by the amazing feedback we have received!
“The enthusiasm Dean brought to his performance was fantastic. It was contagious and the students were engaged in his storytelling. His use of his voice and sounds was extraordinary and inspired students to have a go themselves. His warm composure encouraged students to ask questions and he took time to answer these questions in an age appropriate matter.”
– Baringa Special School
New Programs
This year, our new presenters have introduced a captivating array of fresh programs to Cultural Infusion, enabling us to feature even greater representation from a wide range of diverse cultures.
Half Day Programs
Pre-Primary, School and Community Programs
Australian Capital Territory
New Resources
We’ve developed over 30 new resources this year, one of which is our exploratory Intercultural Understanding Guides which pair perfectly with our Cultural Education Programs. They are designed to give educators and students the opportunity to further engage and enrich their understanding of diverse cultures and assist in approaching each program with openness, to facilitate more meaningful intercultural connections.
Achievements
Conferences
This year, the Education and Experiences team have attended multiple forums and conferences to showcase how our Cultural Education Programs can be incorporated into education settings.
The Early Childhood Language Program Forum, focuses on the support and integration of languages other than English within Pre-Primary education. Cultural Infusion presented at the forum, demonstrating the connection between culture and language, which was followed by two performances from our Chinese Classical Dance and Bollywood Infusion presenters. These performances were not only captivating, but live examples of how our Cultural Education Programs integrate diverse languages and cultures into educational settings.
Cultural Infusion was also invited to the annual Diamond Valley and Eltham Kindergarten Teachers Association (DEKTA) Conference, which was focused on embedding Indigenous perspective into early childhood education. Some of our wonderful First Nations presenters delivered workshops for the delegates, so they could experience the programs we offer. The Cultural Infusion team met with some fantastic educators and our presenters gained positive feedback about their programs!
Events
In March, Cultural Infusion delivered a vibrant and exciting Harmony Week Celebration at Dandenong Plaza.
This event featured a dynamic lineup of 12 consecutive live cultural performances, as well as four simultaneous child-friendly cultural workshops on a secondary stage in which children were able to experience multiple cultures. This celebration attracted 5,000+ attendees from the City of Greater Dandenong and was an outstanding success!
Another notable event was organised through VicHealth’s JumpStart! initiative which provided Cultural Infusion the opportunity to collaborate with Fitzroy Primary School to coordinate a family and community event, La Fête à Fitzroy, which brought together students, families and community members for a day of performances, music, dance and more. The day included cultural performances by the students, led by Cultural Infusion’s performing artists in October.
The event was a culmination of workshops led by Cultural Infusion for students at Fitzroy Primary School from August-September including West African Drumming, Hip Hop, French Song and Dance, and Aboriginal Art. These programs have been supported by FReeZA and VicHealth’s JumpStart! which aim to build vibrant communities through sport, active play, art and food, and support young people to reach their full potential!
Here is some of the heartwarming we received from this event:
“This was our first series of school programs through Cultural Infusion and we are proud to say that it was an outstanding success! These programs were a fantastic way for our school to celebrate our culturally and socially diverse community! We are immensely appreciative of your support in providing experiences to our school cohort and contributing to the growth and development of our children.” – Nathan Moore, Fitzroy Primary School Principal
La Fête à Fitzroy
New Services
Professional Development Sessions
Our brand new Professional Development (PD) programs are crafted to equip teachers with the resources and knowledge needed to cultivate culturally sensitive, inclusive and deeply engaging learning environments. Our sessions are tailored to your group of educators, and we work with you to maximise the value for your specific needs in each of our PD programs.
Discover more about each of our sessions by clicking on each of the program names below:
- Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives in the Classroom
- Facilitating Intercultural Competency in the Classroom
- Introducing DEI in Education
Creative Services by Cultural Infusion
Cultural Infusion is excited to announce the launch of our re-branded Events Arm, Creative Services by Cultural Infusion.
We have the expertise to turn your ideas into memorable experiences! As leaders in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), we are driven to design and execute engaging, exciting and inclusive experiences that resonate deeply within the heart of your school community. Through Cultural Infusion’s Creative Services ensure that students feel welcomed, represented and included. Our work extends beyond events; we are dedicated to cultivating a sense of belonging and connection among students, staff, and the wider school community.
Enquire here today to explore how we can collaborate and create transformative experiences that reflect the spirit of your school community!
Book a Cultural Education Program today!
At Cultural Infusion, the Education and Experiences Team is always eager to help. Book a program through our enquiry form or contact us directly at info@culturalinfusion.org.au, or give us a call at 1800 010 069.
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