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Making a place for refugees to call home
THE later years of secondary school are challenging for most students, but for recently arrived young refugees, the challenges might seem insurmountable. For many of these students, the ability of their teachers to connect them with education is critical to their future in Australia.
So it seems apt, during Refugee Week (June 15–22) – which this year is themed around ‘A place to call home’ – that a special workshop will be held for these teachers at the Multicultural Education Resource Centre in Carlton.
The workshop is aimed at transition co-ordinators, careers, Managed Individual Pathways and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers and Years 10 to 12 level co-ordinators, and revolves around education and training pathway options for recently arrived ESL learners aged 15 to 18, particularly those whose learning has been disrupted.
There are more than 1600 refugee students in Victorian schools, with the percentage in government schools increasing over recent years.
The Department believes that to provide these students with their best chance to reach their educational potential, it is essential that school communities understand the range of factors which affect them, as well as existing programs and support services in order to employ appropriate strategies.
The 2005 State Government policy statement A Fairer Victoria aims to ensure people have access to the support needed at critical transitions in life, including young people at risk of disengagement from education and training opportunities.
Recently the Department guide – Strengthening Outcomes: Refugee Students in Government Schools – was released recently, along with a $4.5 million support package, to ensure schools are aware of what is available to them in helping their refugee students to succeed.
The special workshop later this month will showcase examples of programs in government secondary schools that cater for the diverse needs of refugee students, with an opportunity for participants to discuss strategies and issues.
It will focus on key considerations for program planning for ESL learners with students from refugee backgrounds in mind and give participants access to a diverse group of providers who will share the issues and challenges in their own settings.
How to find out more
For more information on the workshop, which will run from 4.30pm to 6pm on June 17 at the Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre in Carlton, email juriansz.kelly.k@edumail.vic.gov.au or fax Ms Juriansz on 9637 2040.
See also:
For more information about activities see Refugee Week (http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/newsevents) or contact Ms Juriansz on 9637 2135
Background information about World Refugee Day is available on the UN website (http://www.unhcr.ch) under Special Events.