Refugee Week

Refugee Week in Australia includes 20 June (World Refugee Day). In 2023, it is held from Sunday 18 June to Saturday 24 June. This week students watched, listened and discussed several stories by Refugees who have made the journey to Australia for a variety of reasons. One of those refugees was Anh Do who wrote the book, The Little Refugee. His journey explained how at a very young age he and his family escaped South Vietnam after the war on a very small fishing boat and made the dangerous ocean voyage to Australia. It also explored the challenges that they faced once they had arrived here and the contributions that they hoped to make in their new home.

"I think it would be scary to move countries." Grace.

"I think they would be really nervous because they had to leave their families." Mia

"People had hard times." Jonathan.

"I can see them having no food or water." Lachlan.

"People don't have what we have." Leeroy.

"They said that they moved to Australia when they were little and went to school but no-one understood them." Saanvi.

"I think it's sad, devastating." Ellie.   

"I wonder what it would be like not being able to speak English when you come from a different country." Austin.

Students also explored 'Area', constructing a fishing boat floor the size of 14 m2 and seeing just how many people could fit into this space. The boat that Anh Do made his journey on was only 9 metres long and carried about 40 people.