Refugee Week 2022 – Healing

Refugee Week 2022 – Healing

Celebrating the courage and resilience of refugees

Students gathered together at lunchtime on Wednesday this week to celebrate the courage and resilience of refugees everywhere. The theme for Refugee Week this year is Healing. Students coloured a collaborative artwork (an illustration by Nima Javan, a refugee and artist specialising in traditional Persian art); made origami hearts with messages of hope and kindness to decorate our large ‘Healing’ banner; wrote poetry; and penned letters to the newly appointed Immigration Minister (requesting an end to Temporary Protection Visas, as promised pre-election). Our celebration was hosted by the JAM (Justice and Mercy) group, in collaboration with a number of refugee students within the SAC school community.

In the words of one of the students involved: “At the gathering I saw many beautiful young girls living here in Australia going to the same school as me and with different backgrounds. There were songs playing from different languages and we had a little Origami section which I really enjoyed helping the little kids. I really enjoyed it and I think it is very important to have everyone there.”

Ms Suzy Penberthy
Teacher/JAM Support

A big congratulations to Year 11 student Isabelle Chen whose poster was runner up in the state-wide Refugee Week, Youth Poster Awards. Isabelle’s powerful poster with the caption ‘Seeking Safety Should not be a crime’ creatively captures the plight of refugees. She received $100 for her win and the school $300. I would also like to congratulate Francesca Capozzi whose inventive poster was also chosen to be exhibited at the Poster Award Exhibition.  A selection of posters created in Ms Toubia’s 2021 Semester 2 Design class are currently on display in the foyer. Please come and look at these engaging images as we all take time this Refugee Week to reflect on the plight and strength of refugees.

‘Seeking Safety Should not be a crime’ by Isabelle Chen

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