During Refugee Week between 15th and 18th June, our KS3 students took part in a range of activities designed to increase their understanding of the experiences of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. This year's theme, "Courage," encouraged students to reflect on the bravery shown by those who are forced to leave their homes and start new lives in unfamiliar places.
Throughout the week, students learned about the challenges many refugees face, including leaving family members behind, adapting to a new culture and language, and rebuilding their lives after experiencing conflict or persecution. Students also considered the importance of kindness, inclusion and community in helping people feel welcome and supported.
Many students shared thoughtful reflections on what they had learned. One Year 7 student commented, "I didn't realise how difficult it would be to leave everything behind and start again somewhere new. It made me think about how we can make new students feel welcome." A Year 8 student said, "Learning about refugees helped me understand that everyone has a story and that we shouldn't judge people without knowing what they have been through."
To help develop empathy and understanding, students were placed in the shoes of a refugee and asked to make a series of difficult decisions. Working in groups, they considered four key choices that refugees may face during their journey to safety, discussing the risks, consequences and emotions involved in each decision. This activity encouraged students to think critically about the realities of displacement and the courage required to navigate such challenging circumstances.
Refugee Week provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop their awareness of global issues while reinforcing our school values of self-belief, integrity and caring. We are proud of the maturity, thoughtfulness and engagement shown by our Y7-Y9 students throughout the week and look forward to continuing these important conversations in the future.
