On the 9th of April 2025, Presentation Secondary School Waterford proudly held its annual culture day, which led to the sports hall temporarily becoming a colourful beacon of cultural diversity. The event is always a highlight of the school year, giving students an opportunity to share their cultures with the entire school and loudly celebrating the diverse community of the school.
The event was carefully put together by students and spearheaded by dedicated members of staff. In the weeks leading up to the event, meetings were held to give the students a chance to get together and plan their stands and fashion show acts, a few students even planning private meetings in their groups to further refine their ideas. These weeks taught the students important lessons, such as how to work in a team and how to plan a big event, their hard work resulting in an incredible event.
Over the week of the 7th of April, activities such as Kahoot quizzes took place at lunchtime, which built up to the Wednesday. These events were also put together by students with the help of a few staff members. They helped students share with others fun facts about their cultures, such as superstitions and beliefs.
During the Culture Day event, students dressed in their own cultural clothing or clothing in the colour of their country’s flag when coming to school. The students involved in setting up the stands prepared their countries’ individual tables, putting up flags, covering the tables with colourful tablecloths and displaying diverse items such as books and even swords! Last but definitely not least came the food, dozens upon dozens of cultural dishes lovingly prepared by the volunteers to showcase the culinary diversity of the school that everybody could taste.
Students and staff were free to walk around the hall and stop at whatever stand they desired, trying delicious foods and talking to the people who stood at the stands, and after two rounds of visits, the fashion show commenced. The entire audience applauded and roared with excitement at each act, the atmosphere electric as people showcased cultural dances to their carefully chosen music.
From translating songs and creating Kahoot quizzes to introducing fashion show acts and handing out plates to incoming students, the Culture Week committee fully devoted itself to the event, which is why it ended up being a major success. Everybody who attended the meetings filled their roles with incredible dedication, and ultimately Culture Day 2025 would not have been possible without them.
By Alessandra Ghercă