As part of the Across Barriers school partnership program, new migrant families from St Kilda Primary School had their first meeting with the Barriers Team at the space2b shop.
We met 4 new families from Ethiopia and shared coffee and tea.
Space2b trainee worker Darartu, also from Ethiopia ran the meetings to welcome families, and help with discussions.
Thanks to two volunteer parents from the school, this program is taking off. Plans are to meet up fortnightly to share stories, give support in areas of interest such a sewing, computer skills and English lessons. Three cheers to these schools.
We will also be inviting parents from the school to attend these sessions and connect with new families in a safe and caring environment, a great link between school and community.
Thanks to the South Melbourne Community Chest, for their support to make this possible.
This program was kindly supported by South Melbourne Community Chest
Two events have taken place where parents, schools and communities have been able to meet together to share stories, experiences and just to meet up giving support to new families in our school communities.
Christian Brothers College, St Kilda had a lovely relaxed evening with new families from Sudan. With the assistance of the former school captain Anei Thou, Teachers and parents shared food and stories in a relaxed venue. Children played while parents developed ties, discussing various recipes and trying new flavours such as Okra. There was also a bit of dancing and music too. We are hoping to encourage more families over the year to meet up.
Good planning CBC and well done Anei for getting the ball rolling.
Hi this is jane Leroi, I’m coordinating the Space2b school program called “Across Barriers ” a collaboration between Space2b Social Design and three local schools. The program involves school kids developing a welcome program for new migrants into our school communities. This program has been funded by the city of City Of Port Phillip
Ours first event was at PCW with Abe Nouk, from Creative Rebellion Youth being our guest speaker. Through the voice of poetry Abe mesmerised the kids who were very impressed and inspired to know more about refugees and and how to live the dream with building upon oneself confidence and how to use self motivation to create a future path.
Here is one of the amazing poems from Abe Nouk To be a poet
Following up on our Abe Nouk talk at PCW on 25/8/16
Id like to share some feedback from one of the girls and parents from PCW post event
Here is the piece that Mathilda Pithouse (a Year 12 student) wrote for The Lantern (school newsletter)
“Sudanese-born Abe Nouk landed on Australian soil in 2004 as a refugee, unable to read and write in his own native tongue, let alone the completely new one he was suddenly submerged in. Fast forward 12 years and he is standing infront of a room full of wide-eyed high-schoolers, sharing his story through spoken poetry. I’m sure I can speak for everyone in the audience when I say I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the slam poetry, and I’m also positive I speak for everyone when I say that I left that room speechless.
His profound poems delved deep into his war-torn childhood, the stigma of living as a refugee and the frustration he fought and perseverance he found through his illiteracy. He forced us to ponder our privilege – not to induce guilt, but rather appreciation, and emphasised our own role in creating our futures. Most importantly, he emphasised the importance of our self-forgiveness and acceptance, using his extraordinary life as an example.
I’d like to thank this incredible role model for taking his time out to speak to us. We are inspired and most of all, grateful. I hope many more people are lucky enough to hear these amazing stories from such an amazing person.”
_____________________
Clearly, she was blown away! The school also received the following email from a parent of a Year 12 girl just last night about Abe’s visit:
” the reason why I wanted to contact you is to say that Leah was very impressed, moved and encouraged by the recent visit of the young rapper/ slam poetry artist from Africa. Leah is very receptive to people who come from different cultural/ social backgrounds and who succeed against all the odds. She was in tears telling me about the young man.
Thank you for organizing this event.”
Fantastic
All three schools are embracing the “Across Barriers” program in some format which will be embedded into their school curriculum for 2017.
PCW and CBC are moving towards organising more events in term 4 , St kilda primary school will be looking into the program closely to see how possibly Y5 curriculum can be further enhanced in 2017.
We look forward to working with such great people and children in the near future, for “together we do make a difference.”
Following up on Abe’s visit, Id like to share some feedback from one of the girls and parents from PCW post event
Here is the piece that Mathilda Pithouse (a Year 12 student) wrote for The Lantern (school newsletter)
“Sudanese-born Abe Nouk landed on Australian soil in 2004 as a refugee, unable to read and write in his own native tongue, let alone the completely new one he was suddenly submerged in. Fast forward 12 years and he is standing in front of a room full of wide-eyed high-schoolers, sharing his story through spoken poetry. I’m sure I can speak for everyone in the audience when I say I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the slam poetry, and I’m also positive I speak for everyone when I say that I left that room speechless.
His profound poems delved deep into his war-torn childhood, the stigma of living as a refugee and the frustration he fought and perseverance he found through his illiteracy. He forced us to ponder our privilege – not to induce guilt, but rather appreciation, and emphasised our own role in creating our futures. Most importantly, he emphasised the importance of our self-forgiveness and acceptance, using his extraordinary life as an example.
I’d like to thank this incredible role model for taking his time out to speak to us. We are inspired and most of all, grateful. I hope many more people are lucky enough to hear these amazing stories from such an amazing person.”
_____________________
Clearly, she was blown away! The school also received the following email from a parent of a Year 12 girl just last night about Abe’s visit:
” the reason why I wanted to contact you is to say that Leah was very impressed, moved and encouraged by the recent visit of the young rapper/ slam poetry artist from Africa. Leah is very receptive to people who come from different cultural/social backgrounds and who succeed against all the odds. She was in tears telling me about the young man.
Thank you for organizing this event.”
Fantastic
All three schools are embracing the “Across Barriers” program in some format which will be embedded into their school curriculum for 2017.
We look forward to working with such great people and children in the near future, for “together we do make a difference.”
Hi my name is jane Leroi, I’m coordinating a new school program called “Across Barriers ” a collaboration between Space2b Social Design and three local schools. The program involves school kids developing a welcome program for new migrants into our school communities.This program has been funded by the city of City Of Port Phillip
Our three schools are Christian Brothers College, St Kilda, CBC &Presentation College, Windsor, PCW and St Kilda Primary School, SKPS. Last week Across Barriers had its first event at PCW with Abe Nouk being our guest speaker. Through the voice of poetry Abe mesmerised the kids who were very impressed and inspired to know more about refugees and and how to live the dream with building upon oneself confidence and how to use self motivation to create a future path. Space2b is looking forward to our partnerships with these schools and Abe Nouk from Creative Rebellion Youth to help develop this worthy program.
This program was kindly supported by South Melbourne Community Chest
