School honours PNG Day – The National

Gordon International students displaying the different blend of cultural traditions with the old and new contemporary Papua New Guinea as part of their Indepedence Day celebrations leading up to Sept 16.

Gordon International School marked the 47th independence celebration through performances of traditional and modern cultural activities yesterday.
Principal Jennie Kaupa said the event, known as the celebrations of the PNG Day, was held a day before the actual day as part of a display of curriculum.
Kaupa said culture and heritage was part of society and environment curriculum.
“It’s a celebration of learning about PNG. For the last two weeks, we were looking at PNG perspective which covers all aspects of culture,” she said. “The message we want to echo to Papua New Guineans is we are one, we stand united in this beautiful nation.”
Kaupa said the school taught cross-curricular in music, dance and information technology.
“We displayed parades with the provincial flags but everything we showed resembled PNG,” she said.
Kaupa said it was a show of a nation coming together, blended with the old and new contemporary PNG.
“As Papua new Guineans, it’s important to know where we are from and our sense of belonging,” she said.“Our children need to know where they come from.”
The event included the display of Hiri trade, cuscus bride, tabu festival, fashion parade, chants, contemporary dances.