Celebrating our Refugee Families _________________Page

Celebrating our Refugee Families

St Joseph’s College is a school of diversity and inclusiveness. We are extremely blessed to have refugee families contributing to our school community. Some have endured hardships we could never imagine but continue to share their stories of strength and determination to encourage others to live their best lives. We began our year with a Welcome Afternoon Tea held at the College. Refugee families, staff and students got to know each other and shared stories of hardship and hope whilst enjoying some sweet and savoury treats. Due to COVID-19 restrictions we were unable to celebrate Refugee Week as a community at large but still managed to educate our staff and students as best we could. Staff and student leaders gathered in the Peter Chanel Centre to form a Solidarity Circle. The circle began as a line, this line symbolizing the barrier between danger and protection. This barrier may always exist but it can be changed and designed differently to support those seeking asylum. We then stood together in a circle, in solidarity, showing compassion for those facing extreme adversity and suffering. We represented hope and connectedness. Banners were unravelled from the upper balcony with the powerful message of REFUGEES ARE WELCOME HERE. It was an extremely moving moment. Although only a small gesture the impact within the group and audience was huge. COVID-19 has affected many refugee families and those seeking asylum. Many have lost their jobs as a result of this, as they often work in the service sectors who have been some of the worst affected. As a school community, we held a Service Learning opportunity signing a petition to ensure adequate support is provided for people in this situation. The campaign is called ‘No Child Left Behind’. The students that signed the petition earned one hour of service learning and a house credit point. As a school community, we are committed to justice and peace for all and together the actions of our hands, hearts and our voices in solidarity, bring peace in our world.

Di Makings, Refugee Co-ordinator 2020

Refugee Week

Refugee week involves many important activities, including the Solidarity Circle that I was fortunate enough to be in. The experience was powerful and eye-opening and made me feel more empathetic for refugees and asylum seekers. These are good human beings just like us, and we need to learn to be more accepting of others for who they are, and not where they come from Max Jones, Year 12 Leader With students holding up signs of hope and welcome in the Solidarity Circle, we showed unity, cohesion and connectedness. We know that we are all equal in the eyes of god and within the circle together we showed justice, empathy and kindness towards refugees and asylum seekers. At St Joseph,s we are lucky to have opportunities and to live in safety and with a hopeful future.

Michael Ahearn, Year 8 Leader

Circle of Solidarity