Middle School

Stories of Migration – Suitcase Stories Exhibition 

Article by Antonella Di Stefano, Year Level Leader - Year 6

As part of their learning last term, our Year 6 students delved into the rich and diverse history of our nation through the Stories of Migration unit. Drawing on the understanding that migration has shaped so many Australian families and communities, students explored how individual journeys contribute to our shared national story. 

Following interviews conducted with family members, friends or other community members who had migrated to Australia, students uncovered personal accounts of courage, change, opportunity and belonging. They investigated the circumstances that led people to leave their homelands and the hopes they carried with them to Australia. Bringing together these first-hand stories with their studies in English and Humanities, students transformed their research into engaging biographies that honoured each person’s unique experience. 

The culmination of this learning was the Suitcase Stories exhibition, where students brought their biographies to life by creating suitcases filled with symbolic representations of their subject’s migration journey. Each display offered a glimpse into a personal story, highlighting the experiences, memories and aspirations that accompany the journey to a new home. The completed projects were shared with the school community at the Parents and Friends Expo on Wednesday, 16th September. 

Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and friends who visited the exhibition and celebrated the students’ efforts. Your encouragement helped make this learning experience even more meaningful. It was wonderful to see our Year 6 students confidently present their research, speak with pride about the stories they had discovered and recognise the many journeys that have helped shape the Australian community we know today.