Douce, a refugee from Burundi, is embracing new opportunities at Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mount Gravatt.
After fleeing to Kenya and running her own café, Douce found a new start in Australia through the Work and Welcome program, which offers employment to refugees.
Now working in the school’s hospitality program, Douce is honing her skills and aspiring to open her own café. She said, ‘I find the staff at Clairvaux MacKillop to be supportive and inclusive. The students are also respectfully curious about my life in Kenya.’
Clairvaux MacKillop College Principal Wayne Chapman added, ‘Douce is a great fit for our school and a wonderful addition to our tuckshop. We greatly value her positive and hard-working nature.’
Douce’s journey reflects the power of community support and opportunity in creating a brighter future.
At St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights, the school community is celebrating its cultural richness during Harmony Week, with celebrations including cultural performances and a fun chalk drawing event. Students will also celebrate with a free dress day, wearing traditional outfits that reflect their cultural heritage.
With a student population representing 30 countries and speaking more than 13 languages it’s an important week for the community.
‘Having such a diverse group in the classroom truly enriches the learning environment,’ English teacher Jessica Jones said.
Additionally, the school empowers First Nations students through the Deadly Crew group, which has worked on projects such as designing First Nations story poles.
‘We are proud of the effort we have put into building a harmonious and inclusive community at St Augustine’s,’ principal Graham Meertens said.
These stories highlight the power of inclusivity, cultural pride, and the opportunities that diversity brings to both individuals and communities.
Harmony Week (17–23 March) is a time to celebrate the rich cultural diversity that defines Australia. It reminds us that inclusiveness, respect, and belonging are at the heart of a thriving society. Whether by wearing orange or attending a local event, we can all take part in fostering unity. But celebration must also come with reflection. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) is a day that calls us to confront the ongoing reality of racism.
In the wake of the 2024 Multicultural Framework Review, this is a moment to commit – not just in words, but in action – to building a more just and inclusive nation.
Pictured: Clairvaux MacKillop College Curriculum Hospitality support staff and Douce (second from the right). ©Brisbane Catholic Education, Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mount Gravatt (2025)