Places We Call Home: Elementary School (ES) Global Village Day 2024
By: Peak Sen Chua and Dan Dudash
With over 50 nationalities represented, M’KIS is proud of our global community!
Held on 27 September 2024, students proudly represented “the places they call home” at our Global Village Day Assembly. Students arrived in national costumes and attire while proudly waving their hand-coloured country flags. The school's diversity was fully displayed, with waves of colours filling the Sports Hall.
Students, parents, teachers, and staff were treated to thirteen fantastic country performances led by our talented ES M’KIS students.
The performances were a vibrant showcase of global culture, with highlights like a mesmerising Dikir Barat from Malaysia, the rhythmic Ganggangsullae from South Korea, and a lively traditional dance from Moldova. Some students took the stage to introduce their home countries, sharing fascinating facts and cultural icons. For example, the audience learned that Colombia’s top exports include textiles, coffee, and petroleum.
Famous cultural symbols were also woven into the performances. Japan’s act featured energetic dancing by students and displayed beloved icons like Pikachu, Demon Slayer, and the PlayStation 5 alongside sushi and tempura. Brazil’s presentation celebrated the nation's passion for football, while China was captivated by kung fu katas, and India dazzled the audience with Bollywood dances. The Netherlands' pride in football and its royal family was on full display, and the American students transported the audience to Hawaii with a hula dance and to California by dancing to the tune of ‘Surfin’ in the USA’ by The Beach Boys.
All performances were memorable and colourful. Whether it was Australia’s yellow and green, Iran’s pink and purple, and Venezuela's yellow, blue, red, and white costumes, each performance was delightful, enjoyable and educational!
The community also had the opportunity to share their knowledge about Malaysia! Ms. Nurul, our Malaysia History & Culture teacher, led the students through several fun question-and-answer sessions. Students identified landmarks such as Melaka and Kuala Lumpur and learned about the 13 states of Malaysia and its 3 federal territories.
After the performances, the ES Students returned to their respective classrooms and enjoyed an international potluck provided by their parents.
Our Head of Community Relations, Daniel Dudash, said, ”This fantastic event highlights the rich cultural heritage of our school community and fosters a deeper appreciation for the unique traditions of our peers. Aligned with the PYP IB Programme and its units of inquiry, Global Village Day offers an enriching opportunity for students to explore and celebrate cultural diversity, enhancing their global awareness and intercultural understanding. Our student performers did an incredible job, and we sincerely appreciate their parents' support in helping with this entertaining, educational, and memorable event.”