Today we celebrated ANZAC day. This is a holiday that some of us have grown up with and some of us have never heard of. This year is the 100-year anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli in WWI. It is a national holiday in New Zealand and Australia and some might say the defining moment in those countries national identities. Why is this important to celebrate these defining moments? Is national identity important for our children who are growing and developing thousands of miles away from their parent’s homelands?

The children of ex-patriots do not share their parents’ cultural context in the same way they would if they were growing up at home. Yet tradition and family values, whether they be patriotic, religious or heritage culture ARE important. It is also important for our International School Community to be aware of and respect each other’s identities. Many of us took the opportunity of an international assignment in order to become immersed in a multi-cultural experience where we could learn more about the world. Global Citizenship is one of our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results and our school values include international mindedness and diversity.

Being aware of the history and culture of others AND helping our children learn about their own heritage is an important part of growing up in a community like ours. Please help ISR to provide our students with the important parts of your family’s heritage. Keep us informed of “teaching moments” so that we can celebrate culture together. Happy Anzac Day to all of our Australian and Kiwi friends and to all of the rest of us who have learned a new point of pride and history.

Learn more about ANZAC DAY



Learn more about Third Culture Kids and Identity