schools
our voices. our stories.
Our team are passionate about using storytelling, conversation, interactive and creative activities to bring about greater cross-cultural and interfaith awareness and understanding to your school community.
These powerful experiences can change the lives of students and foster compassion, empathy and understanding for one another in the classroom, and in the broader community.
Words from student participants
“An understanding of what people have gone through”
“During the Ethni workshop my peers and I learnt the difference between a refugee, asylum seeker and an immigrant, one host told us her story of seeking asylum. This gave our group an understanding of what she and many other people have gone though. The rest of the work shop was focused on the tradition of henna and what it is used for and how it’s made. The Ethni henna workshop provided an education on cultural tradition and an education of the personal hardships refugees coming into Australia may go through.”
— emma (year 8) | Brisbane
“Awe-inspiring and impressive”
“Not only was the Ethni Henna Workshop a true pleasure to partake in but it also provided insight on the perspectives of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees. These topics were discussed throughout the workshop and the stories that were told were awe-inspiring and impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed how the ladies organised the workshop and tried to let everyone experience a part of their culture. They were super sweet, kind and approachable and didn't get annoyed or mad when I completely screwed up my henna piping bag. This was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend that when given the opportunity too, you should participate in it”.
— sasha (year 9) | brisbane
‘very inspiring’
“It was very inspiring to hear from both Sara and Nas, and all that they have been through. I believe it is so important that their stories and voices are heard, especially to us young women who are so privilege to be in the position we are in”.
— laura (year 12) | brisbane
our workshops
beyond the face
An interactive and reflective session using photograph portraits to dive into how and why we stereotype for people from different backgrounds and our unconscious and conscious biases.
henna stories
Through the beautiful art of henna, the Ethni team will engage participants with their stories of courage and resilience arriving in Australia and create a space for participants to explore and share their own stories of courage and resilience.
power of words
Facilitators will use the beauty of spoken word to share their stories of arriving in Australia as a refugee and the challenges they face as young women of colour. This workshop explores the power of language in how we understand and respect people from different backgrounds.
the book of us
Together we unpack concepts of difference, exclusion and feeling misunderstood as a vehicle to create greater cohesion and connection between students and groups. They will then go on to create their own storybook page that represents their own story and identity
from our educators.
“A holistic education is one that challenges students to not only listen but understand and respect the experience of others. Working with Ethni provides that for our students at Stuartholme. Through engaging facilitation techniques, cultural immersive workshops and vulnerable storytelling the Ethni presenters encourage students to see a world beyond their lived experience. The benefit of these processes is the development of not just empathy, but compassion in our students. Additionally, it highlights the joy, diversity and talent that refugee and migrant members contribute to our community”
— Claire Lawler, Stuartholme School
"Ethni is a remarkable group of creative and empowered women who have inspired our students to continue to develop their understanding of women in our world, through a cultural lens. The activities and workshops organised by Ethni provide a safe, engaging, and inclusive space for our students to connect, learn and grow. Their network of like-minded women and resources have offered our students the tools and understanding that will see them develop into young men that will become positive active citizens in our community. I thank the women of Ethni for what they have done and look forward to many other experiences.”
— James Mendoza, St Laurences College
book now
Enquire about an Ethni experience for your school. Our workshops are flexible and can be modified to suit your student age, group size and preferred times. They can be delivered during school hours or after school. Workshops can be adapted to align with the topics being covered in the curriculum by your teachers, or offered as a peak educational experience for your students.