On Wednesday June 11 Rutherford College hosted its Cultural evening for International Languages week

Persian Culture Club  at International Languages and Culture evening— June 11, 2026 

On the evening of Wednesday June 11 Rutherford College hosted its  Cultural evening for International Languages week. This was an evening of performances, food, and community that brought students, families, and staff together in celebration of the diversity that defines this school. 

Outside the hall, the grounds came alive with food stalls representing cultures from across the world. Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and many other cuisines filled the air with incredible aromas as families and students moved between tables, testing dishes and sharing in each other's transitions. It was a reminder that the Rutherford community stretches far beyond the classroom.

Among the stalls outside was one that carried particular significance, the Persian Language and Culture Club’s very first Cultural Night stall. Club members Yalda Bahrami, Mursal Basiri, Hamdan Ahmad and Mohammad Mohammadi, Roqeia Ghaznawi. Everyone came together to present authentic Afghan and Iranian food, offering the school community a genuine taste of Persian and Afghan culture. We sold Mantu (Afghan dumplings), Bandari (Iranian wrap) and Persian tea and sweets.  For the club it was a proud debut, a first step in making their presence known at Rutherford, and a statement that Persian culture has a place at this school. 

Inside the hall, performances  from students across the school brought energy and heart to the evening. Music, dance, cultural dress and spoken word filled the stage, each performance offering a glimpse into a world that might otherwise go unseen. Having families present made the atmosphere feel less like a school event and more like a true community gathering. 

The evening was organised with the support of Ms Hsiao and our teacher-in-charge of our group, Mrs. Catherine Anthony, alongside other students and staff who contributed to making the night happen. Events like Cultural Night do not come together without people who genuinely care. This year, that care was visible in every stall, every performance, and every family that walked through the doors.  

By Roqeia Ghaznawi.