Support for Refugees

These pages provide information and resources to help support students from refugee backgrounds in schools, especially those with disrupted or no previous schooling.

• Strengthening Outcomes - Refugee Students in Government Schools (PDF - 1.0Mb) – information for schools and other service providers about the range of resources available to support students from refugee backgrounds in Victorian schools.

Karen Bilingual Pilot Program

The Karen Bilingual Early Years Project began as an experimental pilot in partnership with Wyndham City Council located in Western Metropolitan Region in 2009.  In 2010 a four year pilot program was established as an alternative model of English provision for Karen language background students beginning four year old kindergarten in two sites in Wyndham.  The University of Melbourne undertook an evaluation and research on the Karen Bilingual Early Years Program in 2010. In 2011 the bilingual program has moved into Wyndham Park Primary School in Prep with many of the students involved in 2010. The program will continue into years 1 and 2 over the next two years. Evaluation and research of the program will continue throughout the program. For further information contact Anita Calore calore.anita.a@edumail.vic.gov.au.

The pages below link to key information from relevant websites. The accuracy of this information relies on those sites being kept up-to-date.

• Safe and supportive whole school environment – topics on this page include:
  • Whole school support for refugee students
  • Promoting cultural awareness and inclusive practices
  • Promoting wellbeing for refugee students
  • Transition support for refugee students
  • Communication with and involvement of parents and guardians of refugee students
  • Improving the understanding of refugee parents and students about educational and employment pathways
• Settlement support & community links
• English language learning support
• Supportive classroom environment
• Refugee Week
• Thinking about the refugee experience (classroom activities)
• Refugee Education Partnership Project

For further information about initiatives to support refugee students in Victorian government schools, contact:

Kelly Juriansz
Tel: (03) 9637 2135
Email: juriansz.kelly.k@edumail.vic.gov.au