ST Francis College, Crestmead is one school that could offer a few lessons in racial harmony – it has 65 nationalities among its 870 students.
On Social Justice Sunday, this school is an example of living the challenges and rewards of being a community that ‘welcomes the stranger’ day to day.
Principal Chris Branson said the primary and secondary school south of Brisbane has students whose families come from all parts of the world.
Pacific Islanders – Samoans, Tongans, Maoris, Nauruans and Cook Islanders – are the largest of the ethnic groups, and there are South Americans, South-East Asians, Indians, Africans and Europeans.
As far as the mix goes, Mr Branson says ‘we believe it works very well’.
‘We don’t feel there are overt tensions. Misunderstandings do occur and there is lots we can do to help people better understand each other,’ he said.
He said the college was proactive in developing programs to help promote that understanding, and to help members of the school community to work better with one another.
