Resilience..Strength..Unity

Celebrating at Cecil

Refugee Week, held from Sunday 16 June to Saturday 22 June, was not just another event on the Cecil calendar. 

This year’s theme, “Finding Freedom – Diversity in Community,” powerfully captured the resilience, strength, and unity that define the refugee experience.

To commence the Refugee Week, the Week 8 Focus Connect presentation, created by me/STARS, along with a full week of engaging Connect activities, provided the Cecil community with the opportunity to pause, reflect, and honour the journeys of millions who have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety, dignity, and hope.

As in previous years, one of the highlights of the week was the Refugee Week Lunch celebration, where refugee students and their families were joined by selected staff, senior executive members, and invited guests. The lunch event was a heartwarming welcoming gathering that brought together diverse cultures and backgrounds. Shared over tables of delicious food, the lunch featured traditional Iraqi dishes lovingly prepared by a refugee parent, alongside pizza and drinks that ensured everyone had something to enjoy. 

Throughout the lunch, both students and community members delivered heartfelt speeches that moved the audience. Invited refugee guest speakers Basim Shamaon and Sam Matty shared stories of their courage to leave behind everything they own, their determination to rebuild their lives from scratch, and their unwavering belief in a better tomorrow. Refugee students and parents shared their stores too of the courage it takes to begin anew in a foreign land, of the sacrifices made, and of the dreams they hold for the future. These personal reflections were powerful reminders that behind every refugee journey lies a deep well of resilience, determination, and hope. The warmth, sincerity, and gratitude expressed by the speakers resonated deeply with everyone present these stories shared at the lunch acted as a reminder that behind every statistic, there's a story—a story of loss, of fear, but also of incredible strength and resilience.

As a refugee myself, and currently in Year 10, Refugee Week is more than a time to look back - it is a moment to look forward with purpose and optimism.  It is a call to continue creating a world where compassion triumphs over prejudice, and where diversity is embraced not as a challenge, but as a strength.

Let us carry the spirit of Refugee Week beyond just one week of the year and commit to fostering a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued - regardless of their background or journey.

Imeelya Jameel, Year 10 

(Ms Rattos,  Refugee Coordinator)