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Schools in Harmony
has grown out of the Awakening 2000 movement across Australia. The three main elements of the Schools
In Harmony project have been the Celebrating 2000 event in Stadium Australia in June 2000, the Advent Pageants that began
in 1999 and the Pilgrimage to Uluru.
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Celebrating 2000
In June 2000 students from 120 schools from across Australia gathered in the Sydney Olympic Stadium to celebrate the
2000th birthday of the Christian Church. Of the 3500 students that made up the Combined Schools Choir, 36 were from WA.
The three WA schools that were represented were Treetops Montessori School from Darlington (4 students), Regent College
Victoria Park (2 students) and Strathalbyn Christian College Geraldton (30 students). These students travelled by coach
from WA to be part of these special celebrations. The WA students also had the opportunity to sing at a number of venues
along the way and to also perform to 600 people in the Sydney Town Hall.
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Advent Pageants
As our nation approached that enchanting transition from 1999 to 2000, the question was ask, How do our school get to
celebrate this historic time? The answer, on the Friday before Advent, the traditional launch of the Christmas season,
invite students to take pride of place in a celebration that will focus on the event that took place 2000 years ago and
that will frame the millennial celebrations.
In 1999 thousands of school children took to the streets of cities and towns around the nation. Dressed as shepherds,
Roman soldiers, sheep, camels, and wise men the children participated in some of the biggest nativity dramas in the
nations history.
In Perth 600 students from 9 schools gathered on The Esplanade before making their way up Barrack Street to Forrest Place.
Lead by Mary and Joseph the procession stopped at a number of shops along the way looking for a place to stay. No room
was found until a concerned shopkeeper in Forrest Place pointed out a small stable on the stage in Forrest Place.
Students then presented a hour long concert to shoppers and passers by.
In December 2000 over 30,000 students across the nation took part in Schools in Harmony Advent Pageants. The radio
broadcast for the event was carried by 120 radio stations from every corner of the country.
Communities across the nation are preparing now for Advent Pageants to take place on Friday 30th November 2001.
If you would like your school to be involved in an event in your area please contact the Perth Schools in Harmony Office
on 9221 5574.
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Pilgrimage to Uluru.
As Aussies celebrate the Centenary of Federation hundreds of young people have been taking part in a pilgrimage to the
heart of our nation, Uluru. Over a 7 week period between April and June over 500 people have journeyed from the lush
green of their coastal cities to the still red of the centre. Along the way pilgrims have had the opportunity to
reflect of their life and the things that are important as well as spending time with aboriginal along the way.
The coach from WA took the short route to Uluru via the Great Central Road. Along the way participants spent time with
traditional inhabitants at Mount Margaret Community, Warburton Ranges, and Warakurna. Those that made the pilgrimage
returned to civilisation with an entirely different view of Australia and her people.
Already plans for the 2002 pilgrimage are well underway. There will be three journeys happening from Perth. Each trip
will be of ten days duration and they will depart on Monday the 1st April, Monday 22nd April and Monday 13th May. Costs
are still being finalised but will be approximately $800 per person all inclusive. For a brochure and the latest
information contact us at fusionwa@fusion.org.au
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For more information on Schools in Harmony visit our national web site at
www.schoolsinharmony.org
Please click here for our contact details.
Last revised: 28/09/2001 Fusion Australia (WA)
ABN 26 001 273 105
