Jerudong International School (JIS) hosted their annual International Day celebration on the 8th of November 2023. This event encourages students to develop as a global community and celebrate each other’s nationalities, cultures, customs and languages. The event opened with a parade for the Junior students, followed by different activities for students across the school throughout the day; a diverse range of food vendors during lunchtime and a multicultural range of performances on the Arts Centre stage to end the day. With a campus community of over 1,660 students from 45 countries; it was truly a day filled with cultural joy and unity.
Easily one of the most anticipated parts of the day was the musical performances by the Pipes and Drums of The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR). The soldiers also performed an outstanding display of their skills with their famous Khukuri dance and jaw-dropping taekwondo demonstration.
A Year 8 British-Nepali student at JIS, shared: “I thought the Gurkhas’ performance was really entertaining because it had many amazing stunts and mesmerising sounds from their instruments. I’m filled with so much pride to be part of the Gurkha community, because this is a unique experience not many have.”
Both acts gave a fantastic performance and JIS is extremely grateful for them joining us to celebrate International Day. A key part of our community are the families from the British Forces Brunei (BFB), who have been welcomed by JIS for nearly two decades. This enduring relationship has led to a partnership with the BFB, enabling our school community to cherish extraordinary performances like these, fostering cultural exchange and mutual appreciation.
JIS Principal Nicholas Sheehan commented: “As we reflect on the success of International Day at JIS, we are reminded that our strength lies in the rich tapestry of cultures woven into our community. The outstanding performances by the 1 RGR personnel not only showcased musical talent but also highlighted the power of cultural celebration. We extend our deepest appreciation to the British Forces Brunei (BFB) families, whose presence has been integral to our community. Through these shared celebrations, we continue to build bridges of understanding and celebrate the unique cultures that make our international community truly extraordinary.”
