Finding Freedom in Refugee Week
Last week, we celebrated National Refugee Week. The theme for 2024 has been ‘Finding Freedom’ and the profound journey of resilience, strength and unity that defines the refugee experience.
Whilst the media is covering fewer refugee stories, we must continue to support those who are still detained on and off Australian soil, as well as those struggling to set up life in Australia and living with the uncertainty of temporary visas.
Food for Refugees
Thank you to all the families who supported Year 9 Horizon’s initiative to collect essential food items that will be donated to the Brigidine Asylum Seekers and then directly to families in need. We will organise an excursion in Term 3 to deliver these items to the Brigidine Sisters.
Mercy Hub Event: Refugee Feast
I had the great pleasure of heading to the Mercy Hub in Carlton on National Refugee Day last week with Year 9 students Mietta, Zoe, Livia, Alexia, Teah, Georgia and Estelle where we met refugee women living in our community. The women cooked up some delicious dishes from their cultures and this opened up conversations and created a sense of community for all involved.
On our way home, we paid a visit to the Container Deposit Recycling Centre, where we dropped off 500 bottles and containers. We collected $50 which will be donated to the Brigidine Asylum Seekers. It was great to have the girls involved. Please continue to bring in your 10c containers next term and deposit them in our purpose-bins around the school.
Thank you to all the staff, students and families who continue to support these Social Justice Programs.
The following is a reflection from one of our students:
‘I really enjoyed going to the Mercy Hub and meeting so many new people. It was so interesting and eye-opening to hear about everyone's different experiences, and it opened my eyes to a whole different world. The food was incredible and I loved how you can pick up different elements of people's cultures through their dishes. You could see that the guests loved sharing their food and their stories. I also enjoyed talking to the other students there, and listening to their ideas of freedom and refugee rights. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I would 100% take part in it again.’
Mietta T (9ACH)
Lauren Marquet
Social Justice Coordinator
