Greymouth Catholic school rich in numbers and cultures

The roll at St Patrick’s School is 50 per cent NZ European or Māori. The school also has pupils from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, various Pacific Islands and Africa.

“It brings such a richness to the school community,” said principal Ian Johnson.

Mr Johnson said that 81 of the school’s 201 children did not speak English at home, so the school set up a programme teaching English as a second language. That helped lift the students’ results in all subjects.

It also introduced cultural weeks every term to celebrate different nations, and holds prayer times in different languages so children can use and be proud of their home language at school, Mr Johnson said.

A recent Sri Lankan week at St Patrick’s School featured food, arts, dance and games.

“The children just love it,” Mr Johnson said. “Not just multicultural families – all our families get involved, which helps rebuild the community connection we lost during COVID.”

According to Census data for the Grey district, the number of people identifying as having an Asian ethnicity rose from 390 in 2018 to 564 in 2023.

Hetti Pathirannalage Samith and Liyana Mohottige Sawani moved to Greymouth from Sri Lanka two-and-a-half years ago for work opportunities and the lifestyle. The couple both work at the Paroa Hotel and their six-year-old daughter attends St Patrick’s School.

Mr Samith said he was happy to have his home country celebrated at his daughter’s school, and they provided Sri Lankan food for the teachers’ and parents’ morning tea.

“This means a lot to us. It’s a big challenge to move to a new country but we like it here. The family who own the hotel have looked after us very well and everyone is very friendly,” he said.

Te Tai Poutini West Coast multicultural council adviser Cassandra Struve said “a really good mix of people” were moving to the region.

FULL STORY

How ethnic diversity brings a ‘richness’ to a West Coast school | The Press (By Joanne Naish/The Press)