The Upper Mt Gravatt community is home to one of Queensland’s most diverse education hubs at Clairvaux MacKillop College, where students from 41 different countries speak 51 different languages at home.
Local Schools Leading the Way
While the local area is a focal point for this cultural mix, the broader Brisbane Catholic Education system supports nearly 80,000 students across 146 schools. St Augustine’s College in Augustine Heights currently holds the title for the most linguistically diverse school in the system, with 56 languages spoken. During Harmony Week, held from 16 to 22 March 2026, these schools are focusing on how different backgrounds help students learn.
At St Thomas More College in Sunnybank, which is the third most diverse school in the group, leaders noted that having many different perspectives in a classroom actually helps children improve their grades and learning growth.
New Career Paths for Refugees
A major part of the local effort involves the Work and Welcome programme, which helps people who have moved to Australia find steady jobs. At the college in Upper Mt Gravatt, a refugee from the Republic of Burundi named Douce began working in the school canteen this year. This programme allows migrants to practice their skills in a supportive environment.
Douce is using this experience to learn how to run a hospitality business, with the goal of eventually owning a café in Australia. During the recent celebrations, students also participated in a project where they marked their birthplaces on a massive world map to show how many parts of the globe are represented in one suburb.
Strengthening First Nations Connections
The focus on identity extends to First Nations students through a series of dance workshops and cultural days held between 24 and 26 March. These events are led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Team and take place across the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast. A new session is also planned for the South Burnett region on 1 June.
These workshops are designed to be safe spaces where over 200 students can connect through traditional storytelling and music. The initiative is part of a larger plan for 2026 and 2027 that focuses on wellbeing and helping young Indigenous people become leaders in their communities.
Training for Staff and Future Growth
To ensure teachers and staff understand these diverse backgrounds, many participate in learning days at the Ngutana-Lui Cultural Studies Centre. These sessions cover topics like spiritual traditions, weaving, and the history of different cultures. This training helps staff follow the system’s Reconciliation Action Plan and brings more cultural awareness into daily lessons. As these school communities continue to grow, new buildings like the Giramee Hall are being finished to make sure there is enough space for everyone to gather and share their stories.
Published Date 26-March-2026
