Celebrating Freedom at Cecil During Refugee Week
In Week 9, Cecil Hills High School celebrated Refugee Week. The school community came together to learn and acknowledge the adversity faced by refugees and the resilience exercised in their everyday lives in their new home, Australia.
Students started off the week by engaging in a Connect Lesson which focused on the Refugee Week 2023 theme: Finding Freedom.
Students were provided with statistics and an outline of what the contemporary global climate for refugees looks like and how Australia has provided aid. Our students also had the opportunity to interview our Relieving Deputy Principal, Ms.Adia Sahid and hear about her family’s incredible experience of coming to Australia from Afghanistan and how her experience has motivated her to strive for success.
STARS connect students also worked together to fundraise money which will be donated to the Refugee Council of Australia which support refugees on their journey to Australia and those which are held in detention centres, including children and people with disabilities.
At the end of the week, our refugees along with their parents and executive staff of Cecil Hills High School and guests from the wider community, were invited to the Refugee Week Lunch which was extremely moving to witness. Many students from Cecil Hills High School shared their experiences and stories. Some snippets from these speeches include:
| “We have finally found our freedom but there are still many challenged for people who have to flee their homeland and start new in another country. We are still learning the Australian way of life and the English language." Anna Youta, Year 7. |
“My journey does not finish here. Here in Australia the biggest problem is not only learning a new language but also a new culture. Additionally, also making new friends is not easy, especially when you don't know how to speak to them in English.” Shahad Aljorani, Year 9. |
“So let me thank everyone for being part of my journey. I would like to end telling you all students here that your journey will be difficult and rocky but with hard work and determination you can achieve the impossible. If I did it, you can too.” Christa Warda, Year 12 |
Overall, this was a fantastic event and on behalf of the two Refugee Coordinators, Mrs Rattos and Mrs Ishak, we would like to thank all those who had a role providing support to make this annual event possible.
Nina Ishak & Marilyn Rattos
Refugee Coordinators