Sada Virsa Punjabi School in Clyde signed off for the term with colour, dance, and speeches—bringing the community together for Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year and harvest festival. Students performed folk dances, sang songs in Punjabi, and received certificates for their efforts in learning the language, watched on by teachers, volunteers, local politicians, and proud families.
The end-of-term event gave students a platform to showcase what they’ve been learning—both in the classroom and at home. From Bhangra to poetry recitals, the performances reflected more than just enthusiasm. They showed a strong link between younger Australians and their heritage, one that teachers say is built on steady weekly lessons, family support, and the occasional reward.
Jason Wood MP, who represents the area federally, attended the event and took the opportunity to thank school directors Jasveer Kaur and Raman Sidhu from the Punjabi Society Australia. “It’s wonderful to see our young generation staying connected to their language and culture,” he said. “That connection matters—for community, identity, and confidence.”
The recognition didn’t stop at the top. Volunteers Jasman Kaur Sidhu, Ashman Singh Sidhu, Ravinder Kaur, Annupreet Kaur and Mandeep Kaur were all named for their commitment to running classes and organising community events. Mr Wood said their role couldn’t be overstated in keeping the school going and praised the broader role of multicultural volunteers in strengthening social ties.
Mr Koomen, Mayor of the City of Casey, also joined the celebration, sharing the certificate presentation duties with Mr Wood. The joint appearance offered a moment of civic pride, as well as a brief reminder of the area’s growing South Asian population, particularly in new suburbs like Clyde and Cranbourne.
For the 40 students who were recognised on the day, the celebration was about more than awards. It gave them a chance to speak and perform in Punjabi—a language that is spoken by over 130 million people worldwide, including more than 130,000 Australians, according to the last census. Teachers said the event helps students feel more confident speaking Punjabi and motivates them to keep learning beyond the classroom.
Parents in the crowd were vocal in their support. One mother said the school had helped her son ask questions about where his grandparents came from and why they speak differently at home. “He’s started telling his friends what Vaisakhi is about. That wouldn’t have happened without the school,” she said.
Still, questions remain about long-term funding for language programs like this. Community-run schools often rely on volunteers and donations to stay afloat. While Mr Wood’s support was welcomed, some parents said they would like to see more direct investment in community language education, especially as enrolment grows.
The event comes at a time when multilingualism is quietly gaining traction in educational and policy circles, even as mainstream political debate rarely touches on it. The Australian government has flagged interest in supporting more language learning, particularly in early childhood, but many communities say delivery on the ground is patchy and depends too much on unpaid labour.
For now, Sada Virsa Punjabi School continues to operate every weekend, with sessions packed into modest classrooms. It’s a rhythm familiar to many migrant communities—juggling identity, language and belonging between weekdays in English and weekends in another tongue.
Whether this blend of celebration, language and local leadership will translate into broader policy changes remains to be seen. But on this day in Clyde, it was enough for families to clap, sing and cheer their way into the holidays.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
🌿 Sada Virsa Punjabi School celebrated #Vaisakhi. 🎭 Students showcased Punjabi language skills & cultural pride. 🏫 Local leaders praised community efforts. 📚 Parents urged more support for language programs. #TheIndianSun @JasonWood_MPhttps://t.co/IXv4I0N33Y
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) April 10, 2025
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
