School of Sanctuary
On December 6th, 2021, we were presented with the School of Sanctuary award. We are part of a national network of over 300 schools, both primary and secondary, all committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Driven by teachers, school staff, parents, governors and our fantastic school community, we help to support the thousands of young people seeking sanctuary in the UK, raising awareness of the issues facing people in the asylum system, as well as challenging misconceptions and building social cohesion.
What is a School of Sanctuary?
What have we done as a School of Sanctuary?
We have taken part in many activities to promote a positive culture of welcome, inclusion and a kinder treatment of all asylum seekers and refugees, but at the heart of what we do lies turning our learning into action.
Driven by teachers, school staff, parents, governors and our fantastic school community, we help to support the thousands of young people seeking sanctuary in the UK, raising awareness of the issues facing people in the asylum system, as well as challenging misconceptions and building social cohesion.
What is a School of Sanctuary?
- A place that fosters a culture of welcome and safety for people seeking sanctuary, including asylum seeking and refugee families.
- Educates the whole school community about the human right to sanctuary and identifies practical means for schools to demonstrate that commitment.
- Builds empathy and intercultural awareness through promoting the voices and contributions of people seeking sanctuary, encouraging an understanding of the experiences of displaced people and helping to combat stereotypes
What have we done as a School of Sanctuary?
We have taken part in many activities to promote a positive culture of welcome, inclusion and a kinder treatment of all asylum seekers and refugees, but at the heart of what we do lies turning our learning into action.
Here are just a few of the things we are proud to have been involved in:
#FillTheSkiesWithHope
On 23rd September 2022, we #FilledTheSkiesWithHope as we stood with our brothers and sisters across the country, to oppose the Rwanda Refugee Scheme. We gathered on the playground and launched orange paper planes into the sky, filled with prayers and words of hope to show that we stand in solidarity with refugees, who are seeking places of safety and sanctuary.
WE WELCOME EVERYONE, BECAUSE THAT IS #WhoWeAre
The Migration Forum
We were extremely proud that some of our pupils were invited to be keynote speakers at the Migration Forum.
https://birmingham.cityofsanctuary.org/2021/06/28/social-activism-at-st-dunstans-primary-school
We sent Valentines Cards with a difference this year...
Having learnt about the challenges facing people seeking sanctuary, including the ban on people working whilst their asylum claim is being processed, students lobbied local councillors and wrote letters to Members of Parliament. MP Tahir Ali read our some of our pupil's letter in the Houses of Commons.
Valentines Day Refugee Campaign
Love was in the air across the UK on Valentine’s Day 2022, as communities showed their heart for refugees! Take a look at what we and others across the country did to show our heart and love out Jesus’ teachings.
Click here to see a full video of our Valentine's Day Refugee Campaign.
https://bit.ly/3teIo8q
#Pray24Brum 2022
Our children led the City of Birmingham in one hour of prayer, as part of the annual Pray24Brum event. Our pupils spoke eloquently about the work they have been doing to raise awareness for asylum seekers and refugees and prayed for fairer and kinder treatment of all. They were a credit to their families and the school, we were all very proud!
International Churches Refugee Network Conference
Some of our children were invited to be Guest Speakers at the International Churches Refugee Network Conference, led by Bishop John Perumbalath, Chair of Churches Refugee Network. He was very impressed by our pupils! We are proud of our pupil's ability to articulate their views on climate change and migration so confidently and also what needs to be done to change this.
We made the BBC News!
Have a read how, here: https://t.co/KCRcYEOZA
You can read feedback from people across the UK to our School of Sanctuary activities on our twitter page:
https://twitter.com/DunstansPrimary
https://twitter.com/DunstansPrimary