A tragic event made way for a united celebration of diversity, with students from Al Zahra College hosting a special Harmony Day this week.
The annual event held a particularly significant meaning this year, following the devastating loss of 50 lives at places of workship that many of the students at the Arncliffe school know all too well.
Friday marks one week since a lone gunman opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
A group of students from Al Zahra honoured the victims, including those injured, by performing the haka - a ceremonial dance in Maori culture.
Children watched silently as they reflected on the symbolic gesture, which later lead the day into a more cheerful occasion of fun, arts and craft and tasty food stalls.
Al Zahra teacher Maral Bardakjian says the school's Harmony Day was a successful event.
"We had an assembly in the morning, and then the students enjoyed eating food from all different cultures," she said.
"We had activity groups and a mufti day - all the kids enjoyed it.
"The boys doing the haka was about showing not just recognition of the acceptance of cultures, but also in memory of Christchurch victims.
"The children have been asking lots of questions about it. Some feel unsafe and that's a shame that they feel targeted, even though it's no one's fault in the community.
"There's been a backlash on social media and that's not nice. The students understand that a horrible thing happened but that's even more reason why we should unite.
"In the spirit of Harmony Day, we promote tolerance and respect, and Australia is a country that does multiculturalism so successfully."
