PLC Sydney is a place where diversity shines! Across our wonderful school Libraries, we enjoy making positive connections with all members of the school community. We love to connect with our students and the world around them by celebrating and recognising special events and World Days through our displays, events and lessons.
This week we have been highlighting Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Harmony Day. These celebrations focus on making positive connections, inclusion and the strengths of a rich and diverse community. We are proud at PLC to be in an environment that fosters this, not just on these special days but every day.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for several conditions, such as autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many Australians (15%-20%) are neurodiverse, yet it is often misunderstood, particularly in women.
In the Macindoe Senior Library we have titles celebrating neurodiverse characters and authors on display, along with beautiful Yayoi Kusama-inspired artworks created by Transition students. In the Senior Library our regular classes allow us to provide individual assistance in accessing resources to suit their learning and recreational interests. We also support the Transition program with regular timetabled lessons that foster a love of reading and build familiarity and confidence in using Library resources.
Our Hamilton girls have been focusing on the notable picture books for CBCA Book Week. Our girls love to congregate in the pit area of Hamilton Library to hear a story read aloud. This inspiring space allows our girls to relax and engage in some amazing humorous and enlightening discussions. The common theme amongst these books is the different ways people live, and that our differences can be our strengths. A crowd favourite this week has been That Bird Has Arms by Kate and Jol Temple. The girls recognised that physical differences can often be an advantage and no one should be underestimated.
Evandale girls have also celebrated the wonderful things about each of our different cultures. We read books about inclusion, acceptance, and recognising our differences as being a strength in our community. The girls engaged with these concepts through books such as All are Welcome Here by Alexandra Penfold, Remarkable Remy by Melanie Heyworth and Everyone Belongs by Heather Davis. Students collaborated to make Harmony Day paper celebration chains. These were hung in the library for all to see. As a special lunchtime activity during the year we love having Transition students (or the ‘big girls’ as they are known in Evandale) come and share their creative skills in our craft sessions with Kindergarten. All love this time and is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate making connections across the school community.
Within our broader school community, the richness of neurodiversity shines through in the talents of our Transition students. These individuals immerse themselves passionately in every aspect of PLC life. Whether they're captivating audiences with their singing prowess, demonstrating agility and grace in gymnastics, mastering musical instruments, achieving excellence in sports such as swimming and athletics, or joining the Entrepreneur team with the stalls at Open Day, their talents know no bounds. Despite facing challenges associated with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities, these students thrive within our supportive environment. Events like Transition Eats and the Transition Spectacular serve as vibrant showcases of their abilities, drawing admiration and support of the entire school community. As we come together to celebrate their accomplishments, we recognise and cherish the unique strengths that neurodiversity brings to our school.
Across our three libraries, our physical and digital collections are deliberately curated to allow all students to access information and stories in a variety of modes and formats that suit their learning styles and preferences. Specifically, if you wish to know more about the resources which celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity and cultural diversity, please come and speak to our friendly team or have a browse through our catalogue on the Library PLACES tiles.
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God Romans 15:7
Macindoe Library Team and Vanessa Romero
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