School multicultural festival bringing students together

Face painting, competitions, food stalls, performances and fun sporting activities transformed the grounds of Canterbury Boys High School (CBHS) for their annual Cantervale festival on Friday 14 November.

Sponsored by Canterbury League Club, Cantervale is a celebration of cultural diversity within the school’s student population – 92 per cent of CBHS students come from a non-English speaking background.

This is the third year Canterbury has supported this event and the Club’s $2,100 donation went towards stall hire, sound system hire and technician, and security personnel on the day.

Over 900 people including students, ex-students, family, friends, and local primary students from Canterbury Public School and Canterbury South Public School attended this year’s affair.

Students and guests participated in a variety of sporting activities including mini soccer, table tennis, sumo wrestling, and basketball. Other events included face painting, an X-Box competition, dance and talent quest shows as well as a teacher performance. There were a variety of food stalls on the day serving up tasty treats including Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese, Pacific Islander and Vietnamese dishes.

Canterbury Boys High School Principal, David Hill, said everyone had a great day enjoying the entertainment and festivities.

Former CBHS student and Canterbury League Club Chairman, Dr George Peponis OAM said, “It is great to see the school embrace and celebrate multiculturalism, and festivals like Cantervale are fantastic for the community – not only does it help bring together students and their families, it is also a positive way to build understanding about different cultures.”