'A Contents State: A Joyful and Secure Environment Fosters educational growth'
Going for Gold: St John's Bid to Be a Haven of Hope
St John the Baptist's College in Portadown, County Armagh, is gunning to break new ground as the first school outside Belfast and Londonderry to earn the prestigious title of a School of Sanctuary.
A School of Sanctuary isn't just any ol' school; it's one that goes the extra mile, giving a helping hand to students who are in need of refuge and a place to call their own.
This official accreditation is bestowed upon schools that meet a slew of criteria, and St John's is taking a swing at reaching those goals with around 540 students, over 200 of whom hail from different parts of the world.
But, what exactly does it take to become a School of Sanctuary? Here's a sneak peek:
Stepping Up as a School of Sanctuary
- Join Forces with the Locals
- Networking with Neighbors: Reach out to organizations like the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Team in Northern Ireland to learn how your school can be a shining beacon of support[1].
- Creating Allies: Partner up with local community groups, churches, or NGOs that are passionate about helping those in need.
- Cultivate an Inclusive Environment
- Training and Enlightenment: Offer workshops for teachers, staff, and students to broaden their understanding of refuge, asylum, and cultural diversity.
- Safe Spaces to Share: Establish areas where students can share their stories and connect with fellow students from similar backgrounds.
- Adjusting the Curriculum and Policies
- Curriculum Makeover: Integrate topics related to migration, refuge, and asylum to foster empathy and understanding among students.
- Policy Overhaul: Revamp school policies to ensure they cater to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
- Supporting the Family Unit
- Resources for Refugees: Provide resources to help refugee and asylum-seeking families navigate the educational system.
- Community Gatherings: Organize events that bring together refugee/asylum-seeking families and the wider community.
- Applying for Accreditation
- UK Schools of Sanctuary: Check out the Schools of Sanctuary UK program, which honors schools for promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for students seeking refuge[1]. Alternatively, consult local authorities to learn about the certification process in Northern Ireland.
- Continuous Improvement
- Regular Reviews: Regularly assess the school's practices and policies to ensure they continue to support students seeking refuge and their families.
By following these steps and adapting them to local circumstances, St John the Baptist's College can work towards becoming a beacon of hope and a truly inclusive educational environment for all students.
[1] Asylum Seeker and Refugee (ASR) Support Team, Northern Ireland: https://www.asrsupport.org/
St John the Baptist's College in Portadown, County Armagh, recognizes the importance of education-and-self-development and learning as crucial components in their bid to become a School of Sanctuary. In this journey, they aim to establish safe spaces for students to share their stories, learn about refuge, asylum, and cultural diversity, and integrated topics related to migration into their curriculum, which will help foster empathy and understanding among students.
