Faith, Justice and Formation
Refugees and People Seeking Asylum in Australia
Earlier this term, Dr Lavorato wrote in the Especean about the plight of many people seeking asylum in our nation, after our staff had the good fortune to hear from one such person who has given so much back to Australia. She offered many suggestions on what we can do, starting with educating ourselves and seeking to listen to the stories of those who are often the nameless and faceless. People like Craig Foster AM, former Australian Socceroo, do amazing work advocating for refugees and people who seek asylum in Australia through invaluable campaigns such as #GameOver and others. I urge all people to look into these areas as we approach Refugee Week (20 – 26 June) for we too can join this great work for our common good.
Our staff have sought to make a difference by meeting with our local Federal Member and understanding what we can do to help. We have started a petition to show that we care for all people – one that we plan to take to Parliament in the hope that we can build a fairer and more inclusive society.
We would love you, parents/carers, and students, to sign the petition if you are so inclined and pass it on to any others who you feel would like to sign also. Click on this link.
The petition reads as follows:
As a community of staff, students and parents we support the human rights of all peoples. We want to affect change in federal policy around refugees and people seeking asylum, particularly those who arrived after 2012. We would like a more compassionate, case by case basis used when assessing refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. We do not want people who have contributed to our community, and will continue to do so, to have to live in 'limbo', awaiting possible deportation and death at any turn, with the indication from our leadership that they will never be settled in Australia. We want people to feel included and know they are respected as an equal human being. Economically it makes sense to invest in refugees and people seeking asylum - for every $1 spent it is proven that refugees and people seeking asylum in our country return $3 in the long run. This may differ for people traumatised by time in offshore detention. Legally, it is never illegal for a person to seek asylum from all sorts of situations in their homeland. No person would ever truly want to leave their home and risk their life if it were not for a legitimate reason. Aside from the economics and legal reasons, it is morally just to care for those in need. We are a country which has much, and so in return much is expected of us to care for others. We understand that there needs to be policies and guidelines to ensure the safety and quality of life for all, thus we advocate for more resources put into fair and just assessments of those who seek our protection. We have plenty to share and so would like all governments of our nation to know that we want to be able to help people, not treat them as if they are less worthy of life's basic needs. We also advocate for some specific cases of people connected to our community - people who will only improve the lives of all whom they meet.
As a College, we will focus on Refugee Week in the final week of term. Please pray for all those who need our help when simply looking for a better life or, in many cases, simply seeking life itself. Thank you for your support.
SPC Winter Sleep Out
As previously mentioned in the Especean, the SPC Annual Winter Sleep Out will take place on Friday 27 August. Students and staff will sleep overnight at the College and experience some of what it might be like to sleep rough. All details for the event can be found in hard copy documentation and may be collected by students from my office at the College from lunch tomorrow.
There will be a limit of 25 places per year group from Year 5 to Year 12 (if not all places are filled, they may be taken up by boys from other year groups). Notes can only be handed in from Wednesday 14 July next term – places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
We invite participants to raise funds for homelessness through sponsorship, but this is not compulsory. Participation in the Winter Sleep Out earns students five SOL Service points.
If you need any more information after reading the documentation you are welcome to contact me via email at gillian.daley@spc.nsw.edu.au.
SOL Service in the Holidays
There will be many activities advertised for students from Year 5 to Year 10 for SOL Service throughout the upcoming holidays. I ask that boys know what other obligations they may have before committing to an activity as this will save people pulling out and leaving places that others could have taken up.
Many Year 9 and Year 10 students will be working with adults with disabilities, while other year groups will have the opportunity to participate in different gardening and service activities offered at the College.
All boys should have started their service by now, and this might be a good opportunity for other students to kick things off. Boys will be emailed regarding opportunities, and must make sure they are checking their emails regularly as places for these are also limited.
Students in Year 11 have plenty of opportunities to complete Social Justice Service these holidays; there will be no excuses at the end when spaces are left vacant, and opportunities are passed up.
Thank you for your support.
Gillian Daley
Director of Identity