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ASSIGNMENT
Research if there are any organisations working with refugees in your community. Post a reflective piece (150 words minimum) on the forum as a reply to this post, on how your school and students could take action to support refugees or welcome them to the community.
Please also comment on at least one other participant’s post.
Think about School Self-Evaluation (SSE) and how Development Education can feed into SSE.
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Schools can play a pivotal role in supporting refugees and welcoming them into the community, fostering an environment of inclusion, understanding, and empathy. Some examples of ideas that could be helpful –
– Establish a buddy system where current students partner with refugee students to help them get used to the new school environment. Provide additional EAL and learning support classes to help with overcoming language barriers, ensuring refugee students can fully participate in school activities.
– Implement school-wide campaigns to raise awareness about the challenges refugees face while also celebrating their culture and identity. This can include hosting guest speakers, organizing workshops, and having themed celebration days in school.
By taking these actions, schools can create a welcoming and supportive environment for refugee students, helping them to integrate into the community and thrive. This not only benefits the refugee students but also enriches the entire school community by fostering a culture of diversity, empathy, and global citizenship.
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Hi Seán,
Schools and community organisations have been able to provide so many additional supports to migrant and refugee children in recent years. It has showcased so much of what is good about local areas. I really like your suggestion around the implementation of school-wide practices to education children about the plight of refugees – very often children already enrolled in our schools have no idea about what life was like for the migrant children that have joined us here. Highlighting this is so important for all involved.
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I completely agree with the points you’ve made Sean about how schools can support refugees and create an inclusive community. Establishing a buddy system is an excellent idea, as it provides refugee students with immediate peer support, helping them navigate the new school environment more comfortably. Additional EAL and learning support classes are crucial in overcoming language barriers, ensuring that all students can participate fully in school life and benefit from the educational opportunities available.
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The school I am in currently does not have any refugees, we did in the past have some Ukranian children but they have since moved on. As a school community we supported them through many school initiatives. These included
Multicultural Fair: we organised an event where students and community members set up booths representing different countries. We included traditional foods, clothing, music, and dance.
Guest Speakers: We invited refugees or representatives from local refugee organizations to share their stories and experiences. This helped students gain firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs of refugees.
Cultural Workshops: we arranged workshops where students could learn about various cultural practices, such as traditional crafts, cooking classes, or language lessons.
Donation Drives: We organised drives to collect essential items such as clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, and household goods.
Educational Campaigns: finally we launched campaigns within the school to raise awareness about the refugee crisis. Use posters, presentations, and social media to share information and dispel myths and stereotypes about refugees.
By taking these steps, I feel our school played a significant role in supporting refugees, promoting cultural understanding, and fostering a compassionate and inclusive community. -
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Our closest organisation for asylum seekers and refugees would be the Irish Red Cross. World events over recent years have changed the landscape of primary schools in Ireland, and have encouraged us to make the necessary changes and take the appropriate measures for ensuring a safe environment for all pupils in our schools.
As stated from other teachers, EAL resources are necessary and our use of such resources has particularly heightened across the country since the enrolment of children from Ukraine two years ago. I do believe that a key starting point as a school-wide approach is that lessons are established in guiding our students understanding of these children’s circumstances. This can be done in a non-threatening manner, for example, through the use of picture books, stories, and the lessons provided in this module.
I love some of the ideas mentioned by other teachers, and I think an intercultural day could be an opportunity to fundraise and create empathy and understanding for all pupils in our schools. Inviting refugee and all other families to share their stories, traditions, and cultural practices would be a fantastic learning opportunity to raise awareness. A simple strategy that many schools have adapted it a Buddy System, where we pair refugee students with local students to help them adjust to the new school environment and make friends. A committee could be set up to facilitate and organise regular meet-ups and activities.
For SSE, schools could establish channels for refugee students and their families to provide feedback on their experiences and needs. Schools should regularly assess the effectiveness of programs and services designed to support refugee students, making adjustments as needed.
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Schools have a vital role to play in creating a safe, welcoming and warm environment for refugees. In my area, Red Cross supports refugees.
As a school, it is important to have all languages represented around the school and also translation options available on school websites and other servers such as Aladdin.
A buddy system to welcome new students is another great idea.
Offering additional classes is a good way for parents to integrate in the community.
A culture day in your classroom is a way for children to talk about where they come from, what their family heritage is and some of their own family traditions.
Fundraising activities can be arranged to provide resources and support. Schools must promote inclusivity, empathy, and a sense of belonging among both students and refugees.
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I work in a DEIS school and we have many children from families who have migrated to Ireland. I think one of the most important things we can do is to foster a culture of inclusion so that when new children join the school, refugees or others, they are made to feel welcome. Helping children to feel that they are in a safe environment and giving them access to any resources needed such as EAL or learning support, as required, is also vital.
I think it is really important that children get a chance to share their culture and past experience, if they so wish. For example a culture day in school would give children a chance to take about and educate others on their culture.
Also I think it’s important to recognise important festivals from other religions or cultures such as Eid.
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I’ve conducted research and found that there are several organizations in our community working with refugees, such as the local branch of the Red Cross and a refugee support network. These organizations offer services like language classes, job training, and social integration support for refugees resettling in our area. Reflecting on how our school can take action to support refugees, I believe we can organize cultural exchange events where students can learn about different countries, traditions, and experiences of refugees. We could also collaborate with local organisations to provide tutoring, mentorship, and donations of essential items for refugee families. By fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusivity in our school community, we can create a welcoming environment for refugees and show solidarity with those seeking a new home and a fresh start.
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I think schools can play a great role in helping parents make connections with other families. Language classes, yoga, art, cooking classes can all help parents feel welcome in the school and local community. We are very lucky to have a parents’ room in our school and our HSCL plays an important role in welcoming new families.
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In our school we have many children from diverse backgrounds. Our school along with organisations such as ‘Longford Community Resources’ work hard to support and welcome refugees into our school and community.
Our HSCP organises workshops, and classroom and parent discussions to educate students and parents.
We have invited speakers from refugee backgrounds such as Ukraine to share their stories and insights with the pupils and staff.
Our school provides English as an additional Language (EAL) programs for refugee students to help them overcome language barriers.
We organize cultural/international days where students can share their traditions, food, music, and stories with the school community. This promotes mutual understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.
Often, our school and community would conduct school-wide donation drives to collect essential items such as clothing, school supplies, and hygiene products for refugee families. Similarly, we organize fundraising events like bake sales, fun days, etc to raise money for local refugee support organizations. We encourage students to take an active role in these events. -
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Our school can take a proactive approach by initiating various programs and activities that foster an inclusive and supportive environment. First, we could establish a “Buddy System” where existing students are paired with refugee students to help them navigate the school environment, make friends, and feel more comfortable. Language support classes can be organized to help refugees improve their English skills, enhancing their ability to integrate and succeed academically. We could also hold cultural exchange events where refugee students share aspects of their culture, such as food, music, and traditions, with the school community. This not only promotes mutual understanding and respect but also enriches the cultural fabric of our school. Additionally, creating awareness campaigns about the refugee crisis and organizing fundraisers to support local refugee organizations can educate students on global issues and encourage them to take meaningful action.
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I think that the cultural exchange event is a lovely idea Colin. In our school the parents and families in our school community host an Intercultural exhibition every year which is an amazing opportunity for children and parents in the school community to get to know each other, to sample food , observe customs and dress and listen to music from all the cultures and an countries at the exhibition
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Our school population is very diverse with over 40 nationalities on the roll. We have a very inclusive atmosphere & inclusive culture where everyone is welcomed. In Longford, there are organisations such as Longford Community Resource, Longford county Development Board, Longford Women’s Link and Longford EDI Centre for the Unemployed that work tirelessly to assist and welcome refugees into the community. Within our school we have great support systems from School Completion programme, Play Therapists and an excellent Home School Liaison Officer who organise workshops, coffee mornings, parent/pupils’ activities e.g. cookery classes, wreath making. Refugees from the Ukraine have also been invited to come and speak to the school and share their experiences, the anniversary of the invasion into Ukraine is celebrated.
Africa Day & Cultural Days are celebrated throughout the year where children dress up in their native dress, bring in traditional food and/or share traditional songs and games. Senior classes also team up with junior classes and create a bilingual book to allow children to express their language/traditional stories also.
There is a dedicated EAL team also with a comprehensive program for refugees to help them begin to learn the language.
Non-uniform days, crazy hair days and discos are held throughout the year to raise funds for local refugee supports and international aid e.g. GOAL. Our student council organise it and encourage all children to take part and donate.
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Hi Catherine,
While many schools have welcomed children from different countries in recent years, it is astounding that as many as 40 nationalities are present in your school. It truly is a sign of the welcoming nature of the Irish people and local communities across the country. It is wonderful to hear about all of the great work that is being done in your school, and across Longford, to help welcome these new families. I really like the cultural days you have mentioned – these sound like they would bring great fun and colour to the whole school, whilst also serving a very important purpose.
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Hi Catherine, my school also has a diverse student population. We have many refugee families who have come to our town seeking shelter. We had our first intercultural day celebration this year and it was fabulous to see all the children in their native dress, bringing in their foods and sharing their culture.
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Our school can be proactive and organize donation drives for essential items such as clothing, toiletries, and school supplies, which can be distributed to local refugee families. Hosting cultural exchange events can also be a powerful way to build connections. These events can include sharing traditional foods, music, and stories, allowing both local students and refugee children to learn from and about each other. A smaller scale of ‘Christmas Shoe Box Appeal’ could be adapted in our school to get each child engaged and make great connections.
Additionally, our students can participate in mentorship programs, offering academic support and friendship to refugee peers. This not only aids the refugees in adjusting to a new education system but also fosters a sense of belonging and community.
Partnering with local organizations that work with refugees can amplify our efforts. By volunteering time and resources, we can help facilitate language classes, job training programs, and other essential services that assist refugees in integrating into the community.
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When the war broke out in Ukraine there was an outburst of support for the Ukrainians – sympathy was given and we the Irish embraced them as best we could. In our school we had our most profitable cake sale ever to support the Ukrainian cause. The most helpful thing to really educate our pupils about the situation was that a few families from the Ukraine had moved into our area and were neighbours of the pupils – Some of these families were invited to come along to the cake sale on the day. They came and were delighted with our support. The children learnt true empathy and understood what it was like to be away from all you held dear. One family had left their cat behind – this caused a lot of upset for the Irish children – something they could relate to.
With all the antimigration demonstrations in Ireland at the moment it is now more important than ever that the pupils are given the facts – education is the key- the amnesty video that we watched will give the message clearly from the voice of a child .There are many refugee support groups in our area as therev are refugees and the children should be encouraged to participate in some way – even giving the local refugees an invitation to join in their local sports club.-
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I think your mention of how impactful the ‘missing pet cat’ was as a relatable experience for the children around those Ukrainian families. It really is about sharing these experiences with many of the Irish children as the media depictions and perspectives of war and displacement are often so horrific that a0children are shielded from the news by parents or b) the portrayal of war and the displacements of others is so traumatic it seems surreal, like a film or something that is not tangible or relatable for children so removed from it. The cake sale also promotes that sense of self system from module one where the children can in their own small way through baking cakes have an impact on a huge social and global issue!
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Hi Emer,
Your post was so well written, like your school, mine was very similar in it approach when the war broke out in Ukraine, families were very empathetic. Our school raised a substantial amount of money which was donated to a local group that was supporting Ukrainian families with clothing, food, support in gaining information about Irish services.
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In my community, several organisations are actively working to support refugees, such as the Irish Refugee Council and Doras. These organizations provide a range of services including legal assistance, housing support, language classes, and social integration programs. They play a crucial role in helping refugees rebuild their lives and integrate into the local community. To support these efforts and foster a welcoming environment for refugees, schools and students can take several impactful actions: Volunteering and community events including cultural performances, food fairs, and storytelling sessions where refugee families can share their experiences and cultures.
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Hi Sarah,
I think that you have hit the nail on the head here…respectful and enthusiastic integration within the community is key i.e. integration that is meaningful and values everyone’s cultures, beliefs, backgrounds etc. and doesn’t ‘other’ it or force conforming to a perceived ‘Irish culture/tradition’ at the expense of a refugee’s own. Schools, as a microcosm of society at large and of societal reform, have an integral part to play in working with the community to do this.
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I discovered that there are several organizations in Knocklyon, Dublin working with refugees. One such organization is the Knocklyon Refugee Support Group (KRSG), which aims to provide assistance and support to refugees settling in the community. Reflecting on this, I believe that our school and students can take action to support refugees and create a welcoming environment.
Firstly, we can organize awareness campaigns to educate students about the challenges faced by refugees, fostering empathy and understanding.
Secondly, we can collaborate with KRSG and other local organizations to establish mentorship programs, language exchanges, and cultural events that facilitate integration and friendship-building.
Additionally, fundraising initiatives can be organized to provide resources and support to refugee families in need. By actively engaging with the local refugee community, our school can promote inclusivity, empathy, and a sense of belonging among both students and refugees, ultimately fostering a more compassionate and welcoming community for all.
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Our community has a voluntary organisation called “New Horizon” who welcome and support people who seek refugee. I wasn’t aware of this until I researched what services are available in our area for refugees. They have a multi cultural choir and I feel that this may provide a link to our school community as they put on performances in a local venue. They are also making links with the community by engaging in a community garden and coming together with a Gateway Youth Project to create animation videos.
This organisation has recently registered as a charity so this is one way that we can support this organisation by having a fundraiser or donation drive. I feel that the lessons included in this module are very good to support the children in their understanding of what it is like to be a refugee. It might be a nice idea to get the children to write a letter to our local direct provision centre and introduce themselves and build a connection with them.
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In recent times, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of children joining our school who are new to this country. Among these are children seeking asylum and living in direct provision. Our school is dedicated to making their transition to education in Ireland as seamless and supportive as possible. Our school community takes pride in leading by example in welcoming new students. Class teachers actively engage with parents, offering any necessary support to facilitate their children’s adaptation to the new environment. We ensure that every effort is made to provide a warm and inclusive atmosphere for all students. Understanding the challenges faced by new families, the school offers assistance in sourcing uniforms and any required school supplies. This ensures that all children, regardless of their background, have access to the resources they need to succeed academically and socially.
The Refugee Council and UNICEF do amazing work to support refugees. In the past, we have organized fundraising activities, including bake sales and non-uniform days, to raise money for the Red Cross. These initiatives not only provide financial support but also raise awareness about global efforts to help refugees.We continuously strive to create a welcoming and inclusive school community. By supporting new students and their families, we aim to foster a sense of belonging and ensure that every child feels valued and supported. -
There are quite a few resource centres and groups/organisations which work with refugees within the Tallaght area. These include a Migrant Integration Team through the South Dublin County Partnership, Crosscare and there is also an Intercultural Drop in Centre based in Old Bawn which is open 5 mornings a week. These are just a few of the organisations that offer support on a more local level to refugees in the Tallaght area.
Within schools something that I think works really well is having a multi-cultural event. During this event all cultures within the community are invited to take part and the school community is made aware of the diferent cultures within our school. Different flags, foods, clothing, homes, hobbies etc are all explored. Children love having the opportunity to tell their classmates different things about their cultures or how they maybe celebrate different events differently. -
There are a number of excellent support organisations for refugees local to me like the Red Cross, Irish Refugee Council and the South Dublin County Partnership. They have migrant integration teams who offer one to one support with mental health/well-being, housing, education, children, while promoting advocacy through collaborative actions.
My school’s EAL team provide extra support to refugee children coming in, making sure they are getting one to one help with English if it is not their first language but also help with integrating into the school. Small play groups for younger classes or social groups with games for older classes are organised. They also organise multi-cultural days where children from different countries get to showcase their country and it’s traditions etc to the school at an assembly. Older classes often take part in project work on various nationalities and traditions too recognising their importance. We do a Christmas shoebox appeal for children abroad but maybe this could be organised (on a smaller scale) for refugees coming to the school as a welcome gift.-
Hi Orlaith,
Thank you for your post. It is heart-warming to hear the extra help and support these migrant children are receiving, both in the local community and at school. It is also great to hear that the Christmas shoe box appeal is still going strong, as in many cases, it is the first real experience children have of relating to the hardship experienced by children in these countries.
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There are several organisations working with refugees in the wider Cork community. The Cork Migrant Centre’s (CMC) programs target people from all five direct provision centres in Cork as well as migrants, including refugees in the local Cork community. It recognises that not all migrants are refugees. To quote their website, http://www.corkmigrantcentre.ie , its ‘psychosocial programs target empowerment by giving these vulnerable individuals a voice and strengthening their physical, emotional, cognitive and social health. It also aids in their integration process.’ It also explains how it focuses on ‘building collaborations, partnerships’ and linkages (Nationally & Internationally) towards creating and enhancing opportunities for equality and equity.’
With this in mind, it would be wonderful to, as a class/school, link up with the CMC to organise a ‘Welcome Refugees’ event in the area. Children could write a letter/article for their local paper welcoming refugees. Children could write to their local and/or national representatives (e.g. Minister for Children & Youth) regarding direct provision and its infringements on SDGs and/or UN Human Rights and/or UN Rights of the Child. Children could link up with/have penpals with children who are refugees in the Direct Provision Centres in the county.
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There are several local big organisations such as The Red Cross, Amnesty International .. working with refugees in my local area to provide shelter, a safe space, counselling, information on their rights and entitlements, information on housing and education etc . However our local swimming / health centre took action during the Ukrainian Refugee crises and set up a weekly swim, coffee morning and chat where they could make friends in a safe space and find out about their rights. Members of the swim club fundraised to pay for the food and a parent volunteered to be a counsellor at the meetings. They contacted all the local schools so we could tell our new pupils and families about the service. Everyone worked together to offer a space to welcome families fleeing war.
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Schools can help support refugee children by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Firstly, providing language support through EAL programmes helps children overcome language barriers, enabling better communication and academic success. Secondly, schools should implement trauma-informed practices, recognizing the psychological impact of displacement and the traumas some children may have experienced/witnessed. Peer mentoring and buddy systems can help refugee children integrate socially, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging. Culturally responsive teaching that respects and incorporates students’ backgrounds promotes inclusivity. Involving parents and the wider school community in school activities ensures a supportive network. CPD for teachers on cultural competence and trauma informed teaching equips them to better support refugee students..
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Our community has a large centre for refugees which is ideal in terms of comfort and space but in quite a rural setting. In 2022, before and after a large group had arrived, a group of men and women in the parish set about gathering all the items these people might possibly need from other willing parishioners. This group got stronger and stronger and began organising events in the area to help with integration. The local preschool set up a 2-day Easter camp for any potential children that may wish to enroll. There was a sports day also. In turn, a year later, there was a Ukrainian family fun day where all the local children and families were invited to the centre for a few hours of fun and games and to try out some Ukrainian food. My favourite project to date has been ‘This Place’ – a photography exhibition in the town showcasing refugees, their families and more importantly their story. Stories of love and loss that resonated with a lot of people proved to be very popular and the pictures taken were stark reminders of the lives they had left behind.
I think our children and school community already do a lot to help families that may be newly integrating. Offers of hurleys, helmets, school uniforms, soccer boots and jerseys are always circulating. Parents are amazing at including others in Whatsapp groups – this is ideal as google translate can be used and parents can digest information at their own pace. The fact that our Ukrainian children have all taken part in our Holy Communion ceremonies says a lot. They feel included and part of a huge day in the parish in our small community.
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There are numerous organisations in my area working with refugees including St. Vincent de Paul, Irish Red Cross and Doras to name just a few.
Schools can do many things to help welcome refugees to the community but educating young children is the first step. We could organize workshops or guest speakers to educate our students about the experiences and challenges faced by refugees. By promoting understanding and breaking down stereotypes, we can cultivate an environment of empathy and compassion. One novel that is very suitable in this regard is “The Boy at the Back of the Class”. This opened up lots of discussion on refugees and explored different views towards refugees.
Schools could also collaborate with community organisations like those mentioned above that support refugees. Guest speakers from these organisations could help tell true stories about refugees and advise children on how they could welcome refugees to the school community.
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Your response highlights an excellent approach to supporting refugees through education. Organizing workshops and inviting guest speakers can foster empathy and understanding among students. Using literature like “The Boy at the Back of the Class” facilitates discussions and challenges stereotypes.
Collaborating with organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Irish Red Cross, and Doras can enhance these efforts, providing authentic insights and practical advice on welcoming refugees to the school community.
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In our community, organizations such as the Red Cross, Refugee Council, and local NGOs actively work with refugees, providing housing, legal aid, language classes, and employment assistance. Our primary school can support these efforts and foster a welcoming environment for refugees through various initiatives.
Integrating Development Education into our School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process is key. Development Education promotes understanding global issues like migration and human rights, aligning with SSE’s goal of improving teaching and learning.
Students can participate in awareness campaigns, fundraisers, and donation drives, contributing resources for refugees. Collaborating with local refugee organizations, our school could host cultural exchange events, allowing young students to learn about different cultures and foster mutual respect.
Creating a “Welcome Committee” where students greet and help new refugee children can be highly beneficial. This includes showing them around the school, helping them make friends, and assisting them in adjusting to their new environment.
By involving students in these initiatives, our primary school can cultivate an inclusive community and support refugees in their resettlement journey, reflecting our commitment to global citizenship and social responsibility.
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Hi Andrew,
The ‘welcome committee’ sounds like a great initiative. The first days can be the most difficult for refugee children joining our schools. I think it’s a lovely idea to give children the responsibility to make the new children feel welcome. It also gives the refugee children a small group of children to get to know, which is less daunting than introducing them to a whole class straight away.
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In my community Tralee International Resource Centre support integration between local and international communities in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
They provide support services to asylum seekers, refugees and broader immigrant communities in Tralee by providing a drop-in facility and moderating inter-agency cooperation.
A few things we could do as a school to support them, possibly organise a centre worker coming to speak to the students and inform them of how they can help in the local community. We organise a zoom call and meet some people from different countries and cultures. Maybe as a class, make cards/letters for children who are availing of this service. Making some sort of link with the resource centre.
As others have said, finding out about other cultures in our community and having information days/celebratory days of the different cultures-food, traditions, sports etc
Anything that brings awareness of inequality and fairness to children in our classrooms.
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The task for this module was a very interesting one for me. I didn’t readily find supports in my immediate area in Waterford but once I found one, it led to many examples of how accommodating and supportive my community has and continues to be to refugees. I started looking at my school. I work in an Educate Together and like some of the teachers here, I am very aware of amazing efforts and supports put in place for all children who come to our schools with refugee (and other) status. It was the small things that really mattered with the children. The breakfast clubs, the after school help, the cultural projects and shared music and food activities done with the classes. It really hit home when I recalled how one of our students who arrived from the Ukraine, with no level of English, had an adverse reaction to the P.E. It transpired that when he arrived to Waterford, they had been sheltered in our school hall and the sight of the hall obviously evoked huge upset for him. It took a while but he returned to the hall, not because of the adult interventions and supports put in place (although I know they helped in some way) but because the children in his class rallied around him and he went there to play with them.) Play is a powerful tool for these young refugees in more ways than language development and social skills. The emotional support he received from his peers was a wonder to see. I thought then of Spraoi. An annual celebration of diversity that promotes multicultural arts and creative expression and every year welcomes all groups to participate. The play and fun that it offers adults has a similar effect. From there I discovered the Waterford Integration Services and spent quite a while looking into all the community projects and advocacy services they offer our refugees. Even the story telling events that are held in places like the Book Centre and Garter Lane in Waterford city and places like Mount Congreve and Lafcadio gardens are wonderful resources to appreciate and connect our local children and new refugee neighbours in the art of play, communication and shared histories.
I think that this module has inspired me to look into the local legends and myths. The theme for Spraoi this year is based on Madame Carat and her cavalcade of curious creatures. I think the children would love learning about the many mythical creatures that are know through storytelling across the world. The extension of creative arts and music activities would be both fun and a gentle approach to sharing the positives that all children experience from various parts of their heritage.
This module contribution made me feel very proud to be a Waterford woman!
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Red Cross work in my area with Ukrainians who have came to Ireland since the war broke out. We have many children in our school who have came from Ukraine. The Red Cross has helped them access accommodation and supported them in integrating into the local communities. Our school and community have taken many actions to help all families feel very welcome and integrate into our school communities. We have English classes in the evenings for parents to come along to. We have translated all of our newsletters and any information into Ukrainian. We have set up a buddy programme where children are buddied up and helped throughout the day. We had a whole school gathering to welcome the new students and their families and we hosted a bake sale to include everybody and to allow parents and children to mix together to build up relationships with each other. We also have many other students from other countries and we ask all pupils to share information about their culture and we held a cultural day where every student could bring in food, dress in their traditional dress and showcase any talents.
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Hi Laura,
I think the idea of holding English classes for parents in the evenings is a great idea. It would be beneficial for them as they would get a chance to meet other parents from the community of EAL children. It is a great opportunity for them to share their skill set with the school and could perhaps take part in helping to coach the school’s football team/ choir, or whatever their interest may be. It will help them feel heard, appreciated and respected again.
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There are several organisations in Wexford where I am from: Doras has provided refugee resettlement support since 2015. There are HSE Regional Social Inclusion Office. Other retired teachers I know teach English to Ukranians. One of the ways our school could welcome refugees would be to have signs in various languages of refugees around the world.
For parent teacher meetings they could speak with people who can use these languages to act as translators for parents. School reports and documentation about school routines could be translated into these langauges to promote inclusivity. In previous schools that I have worked in, that had a wide range of international students, we had an ‘international day’ that involved parents and students. A different classroom was assigned to each country. In each classroom there were representatives dressed in traditional clothes/ the colours of the country, you could sample different foods from that country, and listen to music from that country or play games from that country. People could make a donation and the money collected could be used to donate to a local charity that helps refugees.
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In our community, organisations such as the Irish Refugee Council and the local branch of the Immigrant Council of Ireland are actively working to support refugees. These organisations provide a range of services, including legal aid, housing assistance, language classes, and integration programs.
To support refugees and welcome them into our community, our school could take several meaningful actions. First, we could establish a partnership with these organisations to better understand the specific needs of refugees and identify how we can assist.
Additionally, we could create a buddy system where pupils volunteer to buddy up with refugee children, helping them to navigate the school environment, improve their language skills, and make new friends. This not only aids the refugees in their integration process but also fosters empathy and cross-cultural understanding among our pupils.
Inviting refugee parents to the school to talk about their culture and heritage would also be a positive event in the school community. These events can celebrate the diverse backgrounds of refugee students and provide an opportunity for the whole school community to learn about different cultures through food, music, and storytelling.
Incorporating these initiatives into the School Self-Evaluation process can help track the impact of our efforts. By regularly assessing the effectiveness of our support programs, we can ensure they meet the needs of refugee students and promote a more inclusive school environment. Development Education can play a crucial role in this, as it provides a framework for understanding global issues and encourages students to think critically and act compassionately. Through DE, we can embed values of equity, justice, and solidarity into our school culture, reinforcing our commitment to supporting refugees.
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Before welcoming the refugees into the community, it is important to create a group contract with your class to set expectations on how they should conduct themselves. It’s equally important to notify parents as some may feel fearful due to preconceived views in the media.
In advance of their arrival, I believe it’s important to do some work on what circumstances can lead some to become a refugee. This will help to contextualize and build empathy towards the people being forced from their homes.
Teachers can prepare the classroom environment by making labels written in their language and visual cues cards to help the student navigate the classroom and communicate simple needs such as the bathroom or needing a drink. The school can create a Buddy system whereby the student can link up with another student for emotional and social support during yard time- ideally paired with a student who speaks the same language. To help unburden refugee families, the school could hold a Coffee Morning where parents donate clothes and can take newly donated clothes and have a chance to chat with other parents within the school community. As we had many Ukrainian refugees in our school, we worked closely with the Irish Red Cross to ensure what we were communicating to the children and parents was factual and supportive of the families.-
I like how you would draw up a contract with the students on how you could welcome and support the refugees within the school and community. Also, it is vitally important that the pupils are aware of the influence that the media has on our views of refugees. We must encourage them to think for themselves and not to depend on others views.
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Hi Shannon,
I too really like the idea of drawing up a contract with students prior to the arrival of refugees to your class and also contacting parents because as you’ve mooted there is a lot of negative noise and misinformation in the public arena currently and the best way to tackle this is with the facts about the plight of many of these families seeking refuge. As I have mentioned already on this forum, a key focus for schools has to be on the positives of migration and debunking commonly held societal suspicions. As you’ve alluded to, it’s all about developing empathy and respect. We should endeavor to celebrate difference.
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There are a number of wonderful organisations in the area near my school that work to support refugees, including the Irish Red Cross, Doras and the Irish Refugee Council.
Schools of course also have a large role in helping these families and children. In my school we hold ‘sustainable clothing swaps’ termly where all parents are invited to bring clothes to donate or swap clothes or take clothes for free. We also hold a Halloween costume swap, a Christmas jumper swap and a football boot swap.
Additionally our school has partnered with TUD to partake in a local bike library where families can sign up to borrow bikes for adults and children for a school year for free. Families in the school can bring bikes in for repairs free of charge schools they need it or can swap bikes for bigger ones as needed.
We host an annual multicultural week where all families are invited to share their culture and traditions with the school community and the week culminates with a multi cultural food fair where families can bring traditional foods from their culture for others to sample. This is always a big hit and results in the swapping of recipes between parents!
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Welcoming and supporting refugees in our community involves a combination of practical assistance, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement. Start by providing essential resources such as housing, food, clothing, and healthcare. Partner with local organisations to ensure these needs are met efficiently. Language classes and educational support are crucial for helping refugees integrate and become self-sufficient.
Offer employment assistance through job training programs and connections with local businesses willing to hire refugees. Cultural orientation programs can help refugees understand local customs and legal systems, easing their transition. Encourage community involvement by organising social events and cultural exchanges, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
Volunteers can play a vital role in mentoring and offering friendship, creating a welcoming environment. Advocacy for refugee rights at the local and national levels is also essential to ensure policies support their long-term integration and well-being. Together, these efforts can build a supportive and inclusive community for refugees.
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From my research there isn’t any organisations working with refugees in my community as I live in a rural area.
To support and welcome refugees into the community, our school could implement several initiatives:
1. Awareness Programs: Conduct workshops and assemblies to educate students about the challenges refugees face and the importance of inclusivity.
2. Buddy System: Pair refugee students with local buddies who can help them navigate the school environment, make friends, and integrate more smoothly.
3. Cultural Exchange Events: Host cultural days where refugee students can share their traditions, food, and stories, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
4. Language Support: Provide language classes or tutoring sessions to help refugee students improve their English proficiency, facilitating better communication and academic success.
5. Community Outreach: Collaborate with local refugee organizations to offer volunteer opportunities for students and families, fostering a supportive network.
6. Resource Drives: Organize drives to collect school supplies, clothing, and other essentials to support refugee families in need.
By taking these actions, our school can create a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports refugee students and their families, fostering a sense of community and belonging.-
It’s inspiring to see your school’s proactive approach to welcoming refugees into your rural community. Your initiatives, from awareness programs to cultural exchanges and practical support like language tutoring and resource drives, show a deep commitment to inclusivity and empathy. These efforts not only benefit refugee students and families but also enrich the entire school community by promoting understanding and mutual respect. By implementing these strategies, your school can truly make a difference in creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and accepted.
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To quote page 6 of this module, ‘Like during WW2, people are desperate for help. How will history remember our treatment of these people?’ I think this is a great discussion starter and reflective statement that I will use in my teaching on this topic.
I teach in North County Dublin within a largely populated, transient and multi cultural community. My school hosts pupils (or their families) from over 30 countries. I find these pupils to be very sensitive and empathetic on the topic of migration and refugees. There is a number of Ukranian refugees currently in the school and community that have been wonderfully welcomed and encouraged to join the local dance class, sports teams, yoga for parents and community initiatives such as Diwali celebrations. Cross Care have a local office that offers womens support and language clinics and citizenship services.-
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I think the idea of promoting links with dance clubs, sports clubs etc is a great idea. Fundraising isn’t necessarily a great option for our school as many families are struggling themselves but promoting links with community groups would be a good way of bringing people in the community together. The school could facilitate a community fair event where local groups could highlight their services.
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In Dublin city centre, there are several organisations actively supporting refugees and asylum seekers, such as the Irish Refugee Council, Doras, and the Red Cross. These organisations provide essential services like legal support, language classes, and integration programs to help refugees settle and thrive in their new community.
Reflecting on how our school can take action, integrating Development Education (DE) principles into our SSE is crucial. We can start by educating students about the refugee experience through guest speakers, workshops, and curriculum materials that promote empathy and understanding. Initiatives like cultural exchange events, where students and refugee families share their traditions and stories, can foster a welcoming atmosphere.
Practical actions could include fundraising drives for essential supplies or organising volunteering opportunities at local refugee centres. Monitoring our progress through SSE will allow us to assess our impact, adjust strategies, and ensure ongoing support for refugees. By engaging students in these initiatives, we not only fulfil educational goals but also instills values of compassion and global citizenship in our school community.
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Hi Nicole,
I agree, that in Dublin there’s a lot of support available to refugees and asylum seekers but as the usual arrival point, the need is greater and has these organisations working at full capacity. Considering some of the recent experiences across the country, I think a key focus for all organisations and indeed schools has to be on the positives of migration, debunking from the start commonly held societal suspicions often attached to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers before the narrative has the chance to turn negative due to misinformation. As you outline schools have a important role in this ensuring access to education and supports are inclusive. Also continually, celebrating difference through school activities like cultural exchange events as you suggest. It all helps to build a sense of togetherness and community.
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There are lots of ways schools can welcome and support refugee children into the wider school community. This is an excellent opportunity for our student’s councils to develop their leadership skills and student voice as they can represent the feelings and ideas of the general student body. These pupils could help refugee children to settle into their new environment by buddying up with them for yard time etc and explaining daily school procedures. My school has help multi cultural days in the past as we have a very diverse student population and this helps increase the children’s understanding of and compassion for people from different backgrounds. As teachers we can use opportunities presented to us in SPHE lessons to cater for the wellbeing of these children. As my school doesn’t yet have any refugee children enrolled I feel that now would be a good time to being the SSE process to ensure that we would have a workable plan in place should the occasion arise.
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I have research organisations working with refugees in my community and have found Doras Luimni,for its Asylum, Migration, and Integration support service as well as Mary Immaculate College’s Embracing Diversity Nurturing Integration Project. There are other services nationwide such as Irish Refugee Council, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Clare Immigrant Support Centre, and the Irish Red Cross.In order to support refugees in our community the school can play an active role by engaging in cultural days where students can share their traditions, food, music, and stories with the school community therefore promoting mutual understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. Fundraising for these services is another idea such as family fun days, bake sales etc. A collection or donation drive to collect essential items such as clothing, school supplies, and hygiene products for refugee families is another possibility.
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Hi Christine, engaging in cultural days when students can share their traditions, food, music, and stories is a wonderful way to promote mutual understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. Fundraising activities like family fun days and bake sales, as well as donation drives for essential items, are excellent ideas to support refugee services. Your proactive approach will undoubtedly make a positive impact and foster a more inclusive community. Well done!!!
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Having completed some research, I have found that there are many organisations working with refugees in my community. The Resource Centre in my local town does excellent work with refugees. I completed work experience in this particular Resource Centre when I was in transition year and it was clear how beneficial and important their work is. They offer many services such as a food bank, facilities for cooking classes, English language classes, and more. They also provide assistance in job applications and training.
In order to welcome refugees into the community and support them, the school could work alongside the Resource Centre in many different ways. We could host a ‘culture day’ where all of the different nationalities in the locality are celebrated. We did something similar in our school this year and discovered that we had just over 30 different nationalities represented in our school alone. The children in the school would love the opportunity to talk about and celebrate their culture, and it could be an excellent opportunity for refugees in the town to feel welcome and supported.-
Hi Laura,
I think the work done at local level is critical as it’s instigated and driven by people in the community, the same community that welcome, host and support refugees when they arrive and it’s great to read the genuine and practical efforts the local Resource Centre is providing to help refugees and asylum seekers, real compassion and solidarity in action. Your suggestion of working alongside the Resource Centre in your school is again practical and demonstrates real joined up thinking. Celebrating difference with a culture day is a powerful action and will provide an enriching experience for the whole school community.
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The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) is actively involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers. The IRC offers various services including advocacy, housing, education, and youth work, aiming to ensure a fair and inclusive society for those seeking international protection . Additionally, the IRC also provides significant support to refugees in Ireland, working to safeguard their rights and promote their integration into local communities.
To support and welcome refugees in our community, our school could implement several initiatives. First, we could organise educational workshops to raise awareness among students about the challenges refugees face and the importance of inclusivity. This can be done through guest speakers, including refugees who can share their personal stories, or through collaborations with organisations like the IRC.
Furthermore, students can participate in community service projects aimed at supporting refugee families. This could include organising donation drives for essential items, setting up tutoring programs to help refugee children with their studies, and creating buddy systems to help new students acclimate to the school environment.
Encouraging students to take part in advocacy campaigns, such as writing letters to local government representatives to support refugee-friendly policies, can also be impactful. By fostering a culture of empathy and action, our school can play a crucial role in accelerating local-level actions to support refugees and contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development and social justice
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I teach in a school near Blanchardstown. I’ve visit Blanchardstown library from time to time and know that they make a big effort to welcome Ukrainian refugees in the area. They’ve organised English classes for Ukrainians and give them use of meetup rooms for social events. They also have a section of their website in Ukrainian. In Dublin 15, various organisations work diligently to support refugees, including the Irish Refugee Council and the Dublin 15 Community Fund.. To assist these efforts and support refugees, incorporating Development Education into our curriculum can help raise awareness among students about global issues, including the plight of refugees. This aligns with School Self-Evaluation (SSE) by promoting a holistic educational experience that fosters empathy, critical thinking, and social responsibility.
Students can engage in fundraising activities such as bake sales to support local refugee initiatives financially. Another meaningful action is organizing welcoming events or cultural exchange programs that allow students to interact directly with refugee families, facilitating cultural understanding and friendship. In our school we run an intercultural week which is always very successful. The school could host information sessions or workshops on refugee issues, inviting speakers from these organisations to share their experiences and insights. By embedding these initiatives into SSE, the school not only enhances its educational framework but also contributes positively to the wider community.-
Hi Seamus,
Your efforts to support Ukrainian refugees in Blanchardstown are commendable. It’s heartening to see the library organizing English classes, social meetups and providing website access in Ukrainian. These initiatives greatly aid the integration process and help refugees feel more at home. Your suggestion to incorporate Development Education into the curriculum is an excellent idea. It will raise awareness among students about global issues and foster empathy and social responsibility.
Best wishes, Kate
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Doras Luimní supports refugees and asylum seekers. They provide comprehensive services including legal aid, language classes, employment support, and advocacy. Doras Luimní also offers mental health services and community integration programs. They work to empower refugees by ensuring they have access to necessary resources, promoting human rights, and fostering social inclusion within Irish society. Their holistic approach aims to improve the overall quality of life for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland.
Schools can support and welcome refugees by implementing several key actions. Establishing language support programs, helps refugees overcome language barriers. Creating a culturally inclusive curriculum ensures that all students feel represented and valued. Offering counselling services and peer mentoring programs can address the emotional and social needs of refugee students. Schools should also engage with local refugee organisations to provide additional resources and support. Organising cultural exchange events fosters understanding and integration within the school community. By taking these steps, schools can create a welcoming and supportive environment for refugee students.
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Several organizations are actively working with refugees in our community. One such organization is the Irish Refugee Council, which provides support and advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers. Another is NASC, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre, which offers legal aid, education, and integration programs.
To support these efforts, our school and students could organize donation drives for essential items such as clothing, toiletries, and school supplies. We could also host cultural exchange events where refugees can share their stories, food, and traditions, fostering a welcoming environment and mutual understanding.
Implementing a migration module into our School Self-Evaluation (SSE) can enhance our school’s inclusivity and support systems. This module can help us assess our current practices and identify areas for improvement in welcoming and supporting refugee students. Integrating this module ensures that our policies and activities promote equity, respect, and understanding, aligning with our broader educational goals.
Incorporating the migration module into our School Self-Evaluation (SSE) can significantly enhance our approach to supporting refugee students. This module can guide us in reviewing our existing policies, teaching practices, and support services to ensure they are inclusive and responsive to the needs of refugee children. By regularly evaluating our progress, we can identify gaps and implement targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes and well-being for refugee students. This process not only benefits the refugee students but also enriches the entire school community by fostering a culture of empathy, diversity, and global awareness
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I had an internet search for organisations in our community and it is hard to figure out to be honest. I know that if I was back at school, it would be easier to figure out as our school has a very diverse population and we have a number of Ukrainian children for example. I had a child arrive late into the school year and in order to help her settle in, we used a number of resources we had made including picture word cue cards with info such as toilet, lunch yard etc. There was another Ukrainian girl already in our class and she acted as a buddy to this child to help her settle and get used to the school routine etc. We had talked as a class about how we could help our new student settle in and the children took on various roles of guiding and support. We are working as a school to show that we are a diverse, multicultural population. We are exploring ways to show this in the environment with different flags and languages highlighted around the school.
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It’s wonderful to hear about the efforts both you and your school are making to support new students, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Using picture word cue cards and pairing new students with buddies are commendable strategies to help them settle in. I like your class’s involvement in welcoming and supporting new students is commendable and fosters a strong sense of community. Displaying different flags and languages around the school is a great idea to celebrate diversity and make everyone feel included (as well as boost our knowledge in Geography).
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I had a similar experience in the classroom this year Fiona with late arrivals to the class. I would have been lost had it not have been for a fluent Russian speaker of Lithuanian descent in my room. I was lucky that 2 of my new students also spoke Russian and they were in a position to then translate again for the 3rd child who only spoke Ukrainian. It was also a huge comfort to them to have people in their group who they could communicate with freely.
Unfortunately I relied heavily on Google translate for a child who only spoke Urdu which was not always accurate and at their age their language was oral. In a busy classroom waiting for Google to read out my responses for the child to hear definitely proved challenging. But they took it in their stride and frustration was minimal.
I don’t know where we could look for this level of support from outside agencies??
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My community has a group called Kildare Integration Network which promotes integration across multiple districts in county Kildare. Our school does a lot to promote inclusion to people from all backgrounds into our community. Our EAL teachers provide extra support to refugees coming into the school, ensuring that their English improves to help them across all their subjects and help with their social skills in school. We hosted a massive multi-cultural day, with over 38 different nationalities represented on the day. Each stall contained food from the different countries, clothes from the different countries, flags and games and activities. Each class got to go around to the different stalls and talk to the parents at the stalls about their culture. This was one of the best days in the school year as I had nine different nationalities represented in my class. At the end of the day, there was a performance by children from different countries which was a great success.
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This module was the most relevant to the events in our classroom this year. We had a number of students join our class, frightened, nervous, overwhelmed and without English language. For the most part these students mastered communication and made friends. Some students stayed, some moved on to more desirable accommodation. The ripple effect of the changes in the room were felt by all of us and I was so proud of the students for their welcoming nature and their care and compassion for the students who found themselves in this predicament. As education is key, organising awareness campaigns or events is crucial to educate students about the challenges faced by refugees and highlight the importance of welcoming them in an inclusive way. Providing social stories and guest speakers to give the children concrete experience will lend to their development education.
Our school has done a wonderful job to date in providing a welcoming environment for all students and their families. This was displayed during our International Day both last year and this year, celebrating all the nationalities and cultures within our school.
The Wicklow Volunteer Centre have made great headway in linking the Ukrainian community and those living in direct provision to groups and activities such as Tidy Towns, Active Retirement, Chess Clubs, Athletics Clubs, Sports Clubs and more. The organisation supports voluntary and community organisations throughout the county and acts as a go between to enable those wishing to volunteer to find a suitable role in many areas such as translation, English language tutor, counselling, choir groups, providing local information, educational advice or acting as a local area guide alongside being a friendly face.
As an example of the end result of such an organisation, I had the pleasure of watching the Kippure Community choir at Kaleidescope this year and I admired how from a place of forced migration, from a variety of countries, with an array of different languages, they came together and found something beautiful.
As our schools continue to welcome students from non-English speaking countries or places of conflict and persecution we need to continue to develop our specialised orientation programs. The department has facilitated extra hours over the last 2 years to allow for language tuition and emotional support for newly arrived refugee students to help them navigate the school system, understand academic expectations, and access necessary resources. This needs to continue alongside further support from schools and local communities.-
Organising awareness campaigns and events, like your International Day, is a fantastic way to educate students about the challenges faced by refugees and the importance of inclusivity. The efforts of the Wicklow Volunteer Centre in connecting the Ukrainian community and those in direct provision to local groups and activities are remarkable in my opinion. Your mention of the Kippure (beautiful scenery) Community choir beautifully illustrates the positive outcomes of such initiatives.
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Through doing research for this module I discovered that we have 47 Direct Provision centres in Ireland. There is one not too far away from my locality which was established a number of years ago. There are more than 7,000 asylum seekers in Direct Provision centres including over 2,ooo children. It’s not something that I have really explored in the classroom and I would really like to raise an awareness of this among the school/classroom. Our local hotel also accommodates a number of Ukrainian refugees. One of the teenage girls is in my daughter’s year, 4th year. They were organising their TY Ball this year and they were so inclusive – explaining what the event was, inviting her to the invent etc My daughter and her friends even pooled together and purchased a dress for the student. They pretended that they had enough “points” on their account to get a free dress because they didn’t want her to feel embarrassed. She had a wonderful time with the girls that night and it was so lovely to see inclusion among the children. At primary school level, we work hard to include children from different cultures, countries and situations (refugees). Our Educate Together ethos promotes this where we strive for inclusivity and a child-cantered approach.
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Following some online research I found that there are quite a few organisations working with refugees in my local community. Some of these organisations I had heard of before and was familiar with the work they do, some organistations were new to me. A helpful resource I found while researching was the directory of migrant organisations and support groups in Dublin by the New Communities Partnership. It showed me lots of organisations in my area working with refugees.
In my school/ classroom we have had refugee children join us. Two things I did in my class I found really helpful in welcoming the children and making them feel safe.
EAL buddy: each class in my school has a nominated EAL buddy in class. Their job is to help children where English ins’t their first language. This can be from things like helping with spelling to playing oral language games linked to new words. The EAL buddy would also help the other children work through their EAL workbook that went through the basics from family, clothing, hobbies, etc. The EAL co-ordinator in my school would also take the children out with their buddies periodically to check in.
Classroom signs in their local language: in the past couple of years I have had a few students join from countries like Ukraine. A simple, yet very effective tool I found useful in helping these children feel welcome and safe in my class is, where possible, have labels/ signs in their home language around the class. These can be for things like the toilets, books, stationary, coat/bags area and lunch areas. If I couldn’t find a sign or label in their local language I often used a picture/ clip art to go along with the sign in English. I found this to be helpful in making the child feel welcome but also helping them in their transition in a new class/ school.
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Hi Chelsey, The EAL buddy system sounds so supportive, helping children with both academic and social integration. I agree using classroom signs in students’ home languages is a thoughtful way to make them feel welcome and help them transition more smoothly. These efforts not only support refugee children but also foster an inclusive and empathetic classroom environment. Great work!
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Schools have a very important role to play in implementing awareness and discussion about refugees in Ireland.
as a teacher in a DEIS school, it is very important to not only educate the children about these matters, but also be very sensitive towards the topic.I think the idea of a body system is a very effective and engaging idea to merge both the students and the refugees.
In Dublin, there is an organisation that helps refugees in the city. This organisation is called the city of sanctuary, Dublin. This organisation is associated with a network of places, activities and establishments that welcome refugees into the community. Linking with this organisation, I think the school could organise various activities, events and create awareness around refugees in Ireland.
This would give the students and authentic experience with refugees and asylum seekers in the local area. ultimately, this would encourage sympathy and hospitality towards refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.-
Working in conjunction with the City of Sanctuary, Dublin, to develop activities and events is a superb idea. This would provide students with real-life experiences and foster empathy and hospitality towards refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. This kind of programs can make a lasting impact on the school community and farther afield.
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The organisations working with refugees in our community include; Cultúr Migrant services, The Irish Refugee Council and Cross care Migrant project. I found that our local library provided great support for the migrant families and refugees in our school. It offered services such as STEAM classes, yoga for kids and ART sessions for children who had come form the Ukraine and this was a great support for these families. The local family resource centre also offers a community development approach, and they are always there for people who need advice or information. Their services include: CoderDojo Coding Club, Conversational English classes, Rainbows programme for children, Drop in Family Support, a low cost counselling service, Play therapy for children, family events and trips, Health and Wellbeing programs/workshops.
Our school has many cultures in our one community and we celebrate all of these cultures throughout the year but especially during Intercultural week where the whole school is involved is singing and dancing events, a “show your colours to the world day”, our intercultural exhibition which takes place during the week and is hosted by our families of many cultures. The children get the opportunity to walk around all the stalls representing our many cultures and taste the delicious food, listen to music, observe traditional dress, and study other aspects of the many cultures on display. Events and initiatives such as these really deepen our children’s awareness of other cultures and our awareness of migration. Parent speakers visit classes to speak about their home country, what life was like there and why they came to Ireland.
The migration module can feed into our School Self-Evaluation (SSE) as it would enhance our school’s inclusivity of many cultures , one community. This module can help us assess our current practices and how our school and students can take action to support refugees and welcome them to the community.-
I love the idea of the intercultural week and the intercultural exhibition sounds fantastic. It is a brilliant way to let the children experience all the cultures in the school and I think all the children would really enjoy it. Also having parents speakers would make the children more aware of the difficulties some people faced in making their decision to relocate.
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Our school and students can take several actions to support and welcome refugees:
Awareness Campaigns: Educate students about the refugee crisis through classroom discussions, guest speakers, and documentaries. This can foster empathy and understanding.
Cultural Exchange Programs: Organise events such as cultural day where refugee students can share their culture, food, and traditions. This promotes mutual respect and integration.
Safe Spaces: Create safe and inclusive spaces where refugee students can share their experiences and feel supported.
Working with the Kerry Immigrant Support Centre (KASI) in Killarney, students can assist in offering language classes, advocacy, and community integration programs.
Engaging with the Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) can allow students to support migrants and refugees through information sharing, advocacy, and a variety of integration services, including language classes and cultural events.
These collaborations can be complemented by school-based initiatives such as awareness campaigns to educate students about the refugee crisis, cultural exchange programs to promote mutual respect, and a buddy system to help refugee students navigate the school system and make friends. Language support through classes or tutoring can further help refugees overcome language barriers and succeed academically. Community projects like food drives, clothing donations, and fundraising events can also provide practical support for refugee families.
By taking these actions and leveraging the resources and expertise of local organisations, our school can play a significant role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for refugees
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There are many ways in which my school and students could take action to support refugees. The first should be to identify the refugees in our school, learn as much as we can about their country and culture so that we can find ways to make them comfortable in our school. It would be important to find obstacles that may be in the place of the refugee’s learning and help find solutions to combat this. This could mean ensuring they get a good meal in school or can complete their homework in a quiet place in the morning before school. We can never fully replicate their own school environment but we can do our best. The next step could be to set up a buddy system, find out what children would be interested in and pair them with refugees to help with fitting into school. This buddy system could then also develop into peer tutoring between older classes and younger classes. This could allow children not to fall behind in academics.
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As a teacher in a diverse community in Dublin 24 I am aware of some of the supports available to help refugees integrate into the area. There is a specific Migrant Integration team, Crosscare and an Intercultural drop in centre to name just a few. HSCL teams in the area also target this.
One part of our SSE DEIS plan review we focused on transitions to our school and integration. One of the ideas we have come up with is making a welcome information booklet translated into different languages to provide information about the school. This is especially for people who come mid-year and may miss out on information evenings and messages at the start of the year. Other information such as reports and important notes can be translated too. We have welcome displays in our lobby in different languages and maps throughout the school that children have coloured in to represent the different nationalities and languages that feature in their classes.
We also hold a world cafe during arts week to celebrate different cultures. Language classes for parents are also arranged in the school with activities to encourage more parental involvement such as a community choir.
Breaking down the barriers to social inclusion is vital to enable refugee children to settle in school and prosper. Often we are so caught up with how jam packed the curriculum is and continue the usual work when new pupils arrive. I will definitely use the lessons from Plan International and the Amnesty video ‘Who do you think I am?’ in the future, in a sensitive way, to help develop more empathy and awareness in my class about the challenges some of their schoolmates and indeed people in their community may have faced . Life is so busy sometimes that I think both teachers and pupils need to be reminded that there are bigger things going on in the world!
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Translating welcome booklets and relevant information into various languages is an invaluable way to ensure new families feel informed and included, especially those arriving mid-year. The cultural activities, such as the world cafe during arts week and language classes for parents, are wonderful ideas to celebrate diversity and encourage community involvement.
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Michael, that is a lovely (and obvious!) idea to have a welcoming booklet. We have it for Droichead and for substitute teachers. Prospective pupils come on Open Days and for visits (if their enrolment applications are successful) – I’m making a note to put together a booklet also which can be readily translated – thank you for the tip. 🙂
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I think the key skill to teach when studying this topic is that of empathy. With the Far Right increasingly spreading misinformation, inciting violence and seeking political power worldwide, children also need to be somewhat media savvy and taught how to differentiate truth from fiction (something that can also be covered in digital literacy – see the wealth of suitable resources on http://www.webwise.ie).
When it comes to refugees, I thought the YouTube clip ‘Who do you think I am?’ (created by Rania Ali, Syrian refugee and journalist); was really well done and effective at getting the viewer to put themselves in her/the refugee’s shoes. We can sometimes hide behind overwhelm in the face of the crisis, rather than looking at what we CAN do to help.
I would use the example of a Ukrainian girl integrating into a school I know locally, as a case in point. When she first arrived in 2022, she had PTSD and required the services of NEPS (and Google Translate) initially. In the classroom there were additional challenges of not just learning a new language, but learning a new alphabet/written characters also. All of this in tandem with the trauma of having everything you knew previously upended, escaping to a SAFE country on the edge of western Europe – but where the food, school, culture etc.differ greatly. I would elicit from the pupils how they can volunteer their time, friendship, unwanted clothes, gifts or other necessary items… they could share their homes, knowledge and choirs/music/sports etc are generally universal languages.
In recent years in my own school we’ve held annual Global Citizenship Days, such as Africa Day on May 25th, where children are exposed to multifaceted aspects of different cultures (food-tastings, music, dress etc) in the interests of increasing knowledge of Ireland’s rich and diverse population.
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Unfortunately in todays society structural inequality is prevalent across many areas such as education, housing, healthcare.
Personally I can see first-hand in school how housing inequality can have an affect both at global and local level.
Traditionally we may have associated homelessness with third world countries however unfortunately it has become a crisis in our country and this can be seen in our schools. Many children are living in direct provision centres, B&B’s, hotels, inadequate social housing and this has a profound impact on their quality of life. Many children have no adequate playing areas, cooking facilities, proper beds and naturally this would affect them. This then affects them in school as they many come into school tired, frustrated, hungry and this impacts on their learning. As well as this children may feel shame and embarrassment about their social situation. I would encourage my class and my school to engage in exploring and understanding these situations more to help better empathise and assist these children and their families. -
I researched organisations in the area that I teach and I found out about the Irish Refugee Council based in Dublin 1. They offer free and confidential information and advice to International Protection applicants and refugees. They can advise on housing, legal matters, direct provision, education and much more. They provide services and support for people seeking protection and people recognised as refugees in Ireland. I am also aware of Sanctuary Runners through parkrun. Sanctuary Runners is a solidarity-through-sport initiative which uses running, jogging and walking to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and all Irish residents. I run at parkrun every Saturday and it is a great way of meeting refugees and asylum seekers in a friendly positive way. It allows for community integration and improves physical and mental health. In my own school we have many migrant families. We are very lucky to have a parents’ room where our HSCL arranges parents events such as yoga, art with their child, language classes, cooking and so on. Parents from Ukraine recently hosted a morning where they cooked traditional food and staff and other parents attended. We also regularly invite parents into the school for events such Stay and Play or parents can come and read a book in their home language. We also value the different languages and cultures in our school. In my class children can answer the roll by saying “I am here” in any of the nine languages the children in my class speak.
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Hi Hilary, it sounds like your school has some great initiatives already running! I love the stay and play idea. We also have an amazing HSCL who recently created a cookbook with parents in our school. They created recipes from their respective countries and the proceeds of the cookbook went to charity. I will definitely suggest the stay and play idea for our school this coming year.
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Unfortunately, as I live in a very small rural area there is no organisations working with refugees in my area. However, schools and students can take various actions to support refugees and welcome them into the community. For example – community events, schools could host community events that celebrate diversity and inclusion, providing a platform for refuges to share their experiences and talents. A buddy system – students could offer peer support to refugee students to help them navigate the school, feel welcome and make friends. Fundraising – students could organise fundraisers to support refugee families with essential items, school supplies, or clothing. We organised a jumble sale this year in school and the proceeds went to St. Vincent De Paul. It was a fabulous idea and we were all blown away by the generosity of families. By taking these actions, schools and students can create a welcoming and supportive environment for refugees, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion in the community.
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There are quite a lot of refugees from Ukraine in our community in the past few years. It is a very new situation in our area as we never had any refugees at all ever before now. I think that the community has really welcomed and helped them in so many ways. English language classes were organised with some retired teachers helping as well as teachers from the surrounding schools helping out too. Arts and crafts classes were organised for adults and children. The people living in this accommodation shared their ideas with us too. The other classes that were organised were yoga classes which helped a lot to help people relax. The schools could organise a community day where people share their cultures such as showing the various sport and different foods. These community gatherings will help everyone get along well and really feel as if they are part of the community . It will also help the children integrate more easily into schools when there is a positive attitude in the community.
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To help the students to learn how to welcome refugees I would show them some of the videos to change the way you see refugees.
Diversity days are a tried and trusted way to integrate students from abroad and this could be extended to focus on areas where refugees are coming from.
We could reach out to Doras to see what resources they have for school children.
We could also set up a welcome café to celebrate diversity and encourage intercultural exchange.
Celebrating and valuing different cultures, religions and backgrounds is key to welcoming those from different backgrounds to our own.
We could educate the students about how and why people become refugees and watch videos and listen to stories of the children affected (making sure they are not too much for a younger audience first.
It can be difficult to celebrate different cultures whilst being wary of tokenism so this must be kept in mind.
A lot of this is measurable in an SSE context, from surveys to milestones I think it could a great topic to focus on for SSE
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To help the students to learn how to welcome refugees I would show them some of the videos to change the way you see refugees.
Diversity days are a tried and trusted way to integrate students from abroad and this could be extended to focus on areas where refugees are coming from.
We could reach out to Doras to see what resources they have for school children.
We could also set up a welcome café to celebrate diversity and encourage intercultural exchange.
Celebrating and valuing different cultures, religions and backgrounds is key to welcoming those from different backgrounds to our own.
We could educate the students about how and why people become refugees and watch videos and listen to stories of the children affected (making sure they are not too much for a younger audience first.
It can be difficult to celebrate different cultures whilst being wary of tokenism so this must be kept in mind.
A lot of this is measurable in an SSE context, from surveys to milestones I think it could a great topic to focus on for SSE.
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After doing some research, I have found that there are a number of charities and organisations that do work for refugees in my community. Amnesty international is an organisation that I have always been interested in supporting.
I think amnesty international could be a good organisation to work with to engage my school in learning, fundraising and volunteering in a number of ways. I think it would be a good idea to use the lessons provided as a stimulus to teach the students in my school about migration and refugees. As I stated in a previous forum, I also think picture books can be used here as a school wide resource and there are so many gorgeous books that touch on the challenges for refugees in a sensitive way.
Each year we have an intercultural day in our school, this could be an opportunity to fundraise and to welcome some refugees into our school to see our lovely school, the different cultures we celebrate and possibly speak to some of the students about their situation.
I think it could be good as a staff to volunteer at an organisation like the Red Cross to give back some time, and show our students that we can all do something to help.
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Hi Robyn,
Organising an Intercultural day in your school is a great way to include all parents and develop empathy as events like this help build better understanding and in turn better relationships in the school community. I also like your idea of getting some parents to share their experience of involuntary migration. Having people recount in the first person what it’s like will really bring home to the students what being a refugee is like. No matter what we do as teachers to encourage empathy we can’t replicate the real-life experience.
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The Irish Red Cross in Dublin 15 would also be our closest organisation as a resource for asylum seekers and refugees. The enrolment of Ukrainian children in the school has opened up a discussion that hasn’t been had on such a relevant level to the school in some years. As a result, it is more important than ever that we are educating our students in terms of awareness and understanding and the upholding of rights for these children. There are many fantastic EAL resources available to us as teaching aids, however I think the most important thing that we can do is create a safe environment. School should be a safe haven where children feel secure and at ease, feeling part of a community and I think there are many different ways we can do this as a school community. The school has been involved in a local toy appeal also which had a fantastic response.
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Using EAL resources is definitely beneficial, but ensuring that children feel secure and part of the community is important as well. Engaging the school in initiatives like local toy appeals not only provides immediate support but also helps build a sense of solidarity and compassion among all students. Keep up the great work!
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Crosscare is an organisation in the local area that works with refugees. They provide support and advice to refugees, migrants and their families. They help people to renew Irish residence permits and provide translation services for people too. This organisation runs many groups for young people such as Outdoor learning, counselling and youth club. Furthermore, crosscare provides hot food to refugees, migrants and others at risk of homelessness and food poverty.
This organisation promotes the inclusion of refugees and migrants into our society and works to best support them. It would be beneficial for our school to get the opportunity to listen to someone who works in crosscare or to someone who uses crosscare’s services. As a school, we could complete fundraising events for crosscare, so they can continue the good work they do. We could run an event called multi-cultural day where students and families from all different backgrounds can educate each other on their culture, language, foods, and traditions from their country. It is important to provide students with the opportunity to learn about new cultures and appreciate differences and similarities from each.-
Thanks for submitting this info. These initiatives would help students learn about and appreciate diverse cultures, fostering an inclusive environment. For instance, we’ve hosted similar events where students shared their cultural traditions and cuisines, enhancing our community’s understanding and empathy. We display country flags in our hall at school with each nationality in our school represented.
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The local community and resource centre is a great resource for refugee families who are availing of accommodation in the locality, and it provides access to housing support and legal advice along with further adult education opportunities. Establishing a buddy system in a classroom whereby pupils are paired with refugee pupils to help them to make friends and to become familiar with the classroom and school environment, and it gives the pupils more confidence in improving their language skills.
International days are a great way to welcome all families into the school community in a friendly and informal setting. All family members are invited to be part of the day and this helps build relationships and makes newcomers feel valued and accepted.
Schools can also review their policies to ensure that all pupils have access to resources and supports to help them reach their potential in school and that there are no barriers to education. -
We have an organisation Doras in our area who work with refugees and their families.
Our school would get advice and guidance from the Doras to support and welcome children into the school, creating an environment of safety, inclusion and having empathy .
This could be done by ensuring the whole school is informed through SPHE of the background, challenges and circumstances the refugees have endured. Schools could hold workshops, guest speakers through Doras.
Within the school each class could create an environment that would celebrate the culture arriving with welcome signs in their language and items from their culture to welcome them. The children would form friendship groups or a buddy system to help with the regular daily activities, Eal classes and learning support. The aim would be to form as much of an inclusive and welcoming environment as possible to ensure each child arriving could participate to the best of their ability. By taking these actions and applying them to the school plan, this would create an inclusive school and community environment
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It’s great to see your school working with Doras to support refugee children. Implementing their culture into classrooms and forming buddy systems are steps that I really like to hear. Apart from that, creating cultural events and bringing together multilingual resources can help to promote inclusivity and understanding among students. Keep up the great work
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<span style=”font-size: 17px;”>In Dublin there are many organisations working with refugees such as Crosscare, Migrant Homeless Action Team and A Place to Call Home to name but a few. Working in Community National School, we have a huge number of students from all around the world with different backgrounds and circumstances. We provide EAL to students. This is hugely beneficial and integral to the students success in our society. We often have community days where all of the children can bring in things from their culture, such as food, clothes, music and items of importance. This is also open to parents. It’s a fantastic way to help parents and students settle in and feel seen in their new lives here. Everybody learns from these days, teachers, students and parents alike. We could also think about hosting days like a talent show/school play/bake sale to help in raising money for local organisations that get all the children involved. </span>
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I live in Kerry and there’s a fantastic organisation called the Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) . The TIRC provides a range of services to integrate and support newcomers and refugees. TIRC offers language classes, social activities, legal advice, and other vital resources to help refugees adapt to their new environment.
There are definitely a number of steps our school could implement to support and welcome refugees. Firstly, organizing cultural exchange events can promote understanding and inclusivity. These events could involve sharing meals, storytelling sessions, or music and dance performances from different cultures
Also raising awareness through school projects and presentations can educate the student body about the challenges refugees face and the importance of a welcoming community. Fundraising events, such as charity runs or bake sales, can also be organized to support local refugee services. By taking these steps, our school can play a crucial role in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for refugees in my area.
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Hi Rachel,
Great to hear there is so much support for refugees in the Tralee area through the work of the TRC. As I’ve mooted previously in this forum, I think the work done at local level is critical as it’s instigated and driven by people in the community, the same community that welcome, hosts and support newcomers when they arrive. The local schools have a pivotal role to play as well and your suggestions of cultural exchanges, school projects and different fundraising initiatives all help raise awareness and ultimately develop student’s empathy.
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Supporting refugees and welcoming them into the community can be a transformative experience for both the refugees and the local population. Our school took in a large amount of Ukrainian pupils at the time of the outbreak of the war and these were the things that worked.
Before the Ukrainian children arrived into the school we taught children about the impact of the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in an age appropriate manner. We decorated the windows of our class with Ukraine flags to ensure the children felt welcome. We explained that these children would have very little English and would not be in school uniforms etc. It was lovely to see the way in which the children responded and there was an outpouring of support and empathy across the school.
There are also several local organisations who are involved in supporting refugees in the local community. The local international resource centre, and HSE social inclusion put on a training day for teachers called Understanding the needs of those seeking international Protection in Ireland in the education system which was very helpful and informative.
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In my community , I have found out that there is a Refugee Resettlement Group in the locality. This group also has links with the Irish Red Cross. The local Refugee Resettlement Group works to support refugee in the local community by providing essential resources, guidance and advocacy. In terms of how the school can support the refugee population in the school community, a variety of cultural events could be initiated. These events could include activities such as traditional music and dance performances, food tasting and traditional leisure activities. This would be an ideal environment for refugees to share their culture and experiences with the school community and maybe the wider community. These kind of cultural events would create an inclusive environment for the students and their families. It also provides great opportunities for the students to create friendships and understanding with each other. Another way for students to take an active role in the inclusivity of refugees would be to engage with a tour around the school and offer advice and information about the daily running of the classroom and the yard.
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From researching this topic I have discovered that there are two local organisations that work with refugees and people in need in my community. The first is Saint Vincent de Paul. This organisation does fantastic work in the community – providing food, clothes, energy vouchers etc. for people. It also provides services that check in on refugees and elderly people. There is also a direct provision centre in my local area. A group of teachers volunteer in the centre a few times a week teaching English to the adults. This is something that I personally would love to get involved in in the coming school year. As a school we can help out the local Saint Vincent de Paul by holding an open day for refugees where people can meet with our students and parents and celebrate different cultures. This could be done as part of Intercultural Week that we celebrate every year. In this we invite parents and family members in to the school and celebrate the diverse cultures through food, dance, stories etc.
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Supporting refugees and welcoming them into the community can be a very positive experience for both the refugees and the local population. Our school population is very diverse and we have a large proportion of pupils who have sought international protection.
There are also several local organisations who are involved in supporting refugees in the local community. The local international resource centre, and HSE social inclusion put on a training day for teachers called Understanding the needs of those seeking international Protection in Ireland in the education system which was very helpful and informative. Our HSCL in the school worked with the local international resource centre who researched the needs of migrant families arriving into Tralee. They received funding to employ an education support worker whose job is to link with the main town schools to support those who are arriving into the local area and to make to the transition to the Irish education system a more fluid and positive process.
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Hi Claire,
Another participant from your area mentioned the Tralee Resource Centre, too and it is great to hear there is so much support for those seeking international protection in your part of Kerry. As I’ve said before, I think the work done at local level is crucial as it is driven by people in the community, the same community that welcome, hosts and support these families when they arrive. Interesting to hear about the training day the schools received from the TRC and the HSE. I hadn’t heard of such training events before but are a great idea as school’s have a huge role to play here and the better informed teachers are the better the outcomes. I would imagine theses days are being organised elsewhere too…
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I found this module most interesting. I liked the way the complexity of terms of “migrant” and “refugees” was highlighted. I agree that there can be rhetoric of “deserving” refugee versus a “voluntary” migrant in society.
Many of the children in my school are migrants or refugees. It is so important to have sensitive and appropriate support. Building a sense of community and trust can be challenging. As a school we arrange English language classes, cookery courses and general meet ups for all parents. We foster an inclusive school environment. We host an international day which is always a high light of the school calendar. We have murals by parents from different communities on our senior yard representing our diverse and inclusive pupil body. We ensure that we take a coordinated approach to EAL, planning closely with class teachers e.g. explicit teaching of language in smaller EAL groups before a topic is taught at a whole class level and use of EAL support within the mainstream classroom at times. From a practical level we have some documents translated into the most common of our school population’s languages and use of Google translate when speaking with parents as well as a range of signage in different languages within classes and throughout the school.
Tralee International Resource Centre is one of the largest organisations working with refugees and migrants in the community.
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During the devastating war in Ukraine Stradbally in County Laois had one of the 5 largest designated accommodation centres for Ukrainian refugees. This was located on the grounds of the Electric Picnic music festival. There is a great group of community volunteers who stepped up to assist migrants and involuntary refugees in their hour of need. In my school in Ballyroan we did not receive any Ukrainian refugees however in some of my friends schools in the nearby schools in Portlaoise they welcomed some and the teachers and management did their utmost to ensure that they provided a welcoming, safe environment for them. A number of initiatives and steps were taken to provide as much support and assistance to both children and parents . The statistics included in this module on the number of refugees worldwide is shocking and the lessons included will be helpful to teach this topic in my classroom next year.
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Also in my local town the Red cross provided a lot of support for refugees.
The Irish red cross has different programs to assist refugees when they come to Ireland. They have program that matches Ukrainian people seeking temporary refuge in Ireland with householders throughout the country. They provide support under this program for both the newly arrived person and the family hosting them.
They also have a program that supports people living in life-threatening situations in their own country to travel to Ireland. In many cases, this program reunites these refugees with family already in Ireland.
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It’s really heartening to hear how communities and schools have come together to support Ukrainian refugees during such a challenging time. It’s impressive how much effort went into making them feel welcome and safe. The stats on global refugees can be eye-opening, so having these lessons ready for next year will definitely help raise awareness and empathy among students. Thanks for sharing this—it’s a great reminder of the positive impact communities can have in tough situations.
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In my local area there are a few organisations that help refugees settle into the local area. Irish Refugee Council and Cross care are 2 big organisations that do a lot to help refugees. As well as that, my local library hosts events for refugees from Ukraine.
To welcome refugees into our community our school can implement a number of strategies to make it an easy transition.
Firstly, we can organise donation drives for clothes and food to create a welcoming environment. This could be set up in the school hall with essential clothing/food e.g old school uniforms, clothes, jackets and non-perishable foods.
Secondly, making sure the school, school website and the documents are available in different languages will create an environment that is inclusive and welcoming.
Thirdly, hosting international days/weeks where children are able to showcase everything their culture has to offer, such as, food, clothes, their language and their traditions is a great way for people to gain knowledge of the different countries and their cultures.
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Schools play an important role in supporting refugees and welcoming them into the community, However, it is only in the last few years that schools have received funding from the government to provide support for these children.
– In our school children receive EAL and learning support classes to help with overcoming language barriers and to help settle into the school, so that they can fully participate in school activities.
– Schools can create a safe haven for these children and can provide some support also for their parents, providing them with information to help them to integrate into the community. As we are a community national school, we tend to get the majority of Refugee children coming to our school. This can prove to be a benefit for adults and children in the school as we can see when we host intercultural day.The special education team helps to support these children who very often have been in very tough situations.
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The closest facility to my school would be Tralee International Resource Centre which provides a drop-in facility and services for asylum seekers, refugees and the broader international community.
I think educating the students on the countries and lives the new students have come from is so important. EAL classes for the students will help integrate them into the school as well as helping them to learn the language. A buddy system would also be very useful. Having clothes, toys, school supplies donated would also welcome the students to the school.
During the year hosting international days for each culture would be a great way of celebrating diversity within the school and would make all students feel valued and accepted and would let the students share information about their lives and cultures.
As part of the school’s SSE parents and students could complete questionnaires on how they have found the transition to their new school community and could share ideas which may help in planning.
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Another Kerry based teacher on this forum but yes Tralee International resource centre is a huge asset for migrant families and those seeking international protection. They also run language classes for different age groups at different times of the year. TIRC provided funding to our school to run a parenting course for Ukrainian parents with a translator. This course ran for 6 weeks and was a huge help to explain the Irish education system to these parents and to answer questions we would never have predicted. In Ukraine parents would have the phone number of the teacher and could contact them directly and they were all surprised at the differences between the systems.
NEWKD – North East West Kerry Development also do alot of work with migrant groups and put on anti racism training during the year.
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From my research there are a number of organisations in my area working with refugees. One in particular that stood out is the Kerry Refugee Resettlement Programme. Support provided under this programme includes Coordinating resettlement support for refugees arriving in Kerry, providing assistance with housing, education, employment, and healthcare and working in collaboration with local agencies to ensure comprehensive support. There are so many ways my school and any school could help with welcoming refugees to both the school and community. 2 ideas would be ensuring strong anti-bullying measure by implementing and enforcing policies against bullying and discrimination. I heard about another local school in my area allowing flexible attendance. It’s important to show understanding of any difficulties refugee families might face, such as attending school regularly or participating in school events.
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Hi Rachel,
I really like both ideas for the SSE. It is very important to be accommodating, especially given the extent of moving to a new country. Anti-bullying is a great way to help refugee children come to school, as it will be a warm environment for them and hopefully make it a more meaningful experience for them which will help them to excel academically and socially.
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Supporting and welcoming refugees into the school community requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses their unique needs and challenges.
Here are some effective strategies schools can implement:
1. Creating a Welcoming Environment
Cultural Sensitivity Training: Provide training for teachers, staff, and students on cultural sensitivity and awareness to foster an inclusive atmosphere.
Buddy Systems: Pair refugee students with local students who can help them navigate the new school setting and develop social connections.2. Providing Language Support
ESL (English as a Second Language) Programs: Offer tailored language classes to help refugee students improve their English proficiency.
Language Resources: Provide resources such as dictionaries, language apps, and language clubs to aid in language learning.3. Addressing Academic Needs
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Develop IEPs for refugee students to address their specific academic needs and track their progress.
Tutoring and Homework Help: Offer after-school tutoring and homework assistance programs to help refugee students catch up with their peers.
Flexible Curriculum: Adapt the curriculum to include content that is relevant and accessible to refugee students, considering their previous education and experiences.4. Engaging with Families and the Community
Family Outreach: Conduct home visits and regular meetings with refugee families to understand their needs and involve them in their children’s education.
Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, NGOs, and community groups that support refugees to provide additional resources and support.
Cultural Events: Organize cultural events and activities that celebrate the diverse backgrounds of refugee students and promote cross-cultural understanding.
By implementing these strategies, schools can create a supportive and inclusive environment that helps refugee students and their families feel welcomed and valued. This holistic approach not only addresses the immediate needs of refugee students but also promotes long-term academic success and social integration. -
The Mosney camp for Assylum Seeekers is the first one that came to mind. I volunteered at a summer camp for children in Mosney a few years ago and it was an eye opening experience. These camps appear to be doing good for these people, proving them with a place to stay and food. However, it is not good enough. These people are seeking assylum in our country as they have been forced out of their own. It is not fair to place them in the middle of the countryside with barely any access to public transport and expect them to be able to build their lives back up from scratch. The conditions they are living in are detrimental to mental health and provide little to no opportunity for growth and development. In reality, they are stuck rather than being provided with adequate aid in order to regain self efficacy and start their lives again in a new setting.
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I have been fortunate enough that as a school we work directly with a EROC (Emergency Reception and Orientation Center) and have done since 2017. We have been welcoming children from various different war-torn countries into our school for over 7 years. The children and their families stay in the center for a period of time upon their arrival to Ireland. In my experience this time frame can vary from 6months to 18months before their families are settled somewhere else throughout Ireland. We have worked with other community groups in the vicinity making this children and their families feel welcome by organising workshops and events for the children and their families with organisations such as the GAA, Foróige and Community Games.
Directly as a school our school has organised additional English classes for parents as part of our HSCL program as well as knitting classes and flower arrangement to help the parents feel part of the school community and to feel welcome.
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Hi Ferghal,
Thank you for your post and for sharing your experience of your schools links with the work of EROC. Contrary to what may be perceived at the present time, organisations have been helping migrants and refugees in Ireland for many years. Your post is a testament to this, and it is likely that your school community has seen the value that can come rom collective work across communities. You have mentioned the work of certain organisations such as the GAA and Foróige – it is so important to recognise the massive social and cultural impact these organisations have across communities, and how they can rally to welcome new members from many nationalities and backgrounds.
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Although there are no specific organisations working with refugees in our community, our school and students can still take meaningful action to support and welcome refugees. We can partner with national organisations like the Irish Refugee Council to provide assistance and resources. Students could organise donations for essential items, create welcome packs, and establish a buddy system to help refugee children adapt to the new environment. Hosting cultural exchange events and informational sessions can promote understanding and inclusion. Incorporating a migration module into the curriculum can enhance School Self-Evaluation (SSE) by fostering empathy and global awareness. This module can help evaluate how well the school supports and integrates refugee students, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere. It can also measure the effectiveness of the school’s efforts in educating all students about migration issues, promoting a comprehensive understanding.
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My school and students are very used to supporting and welcoming refugees into the school community. We are a school in close proximity to Mosney and our student body is very diverse and we have a lot of children living in Direct Provision there as well as Ukrainian children in the past few years.
There are lots of supports for all of these children who come into our school. We have very efficient EAL teachers as well as a home school liaison teacher to build links with parents and help with the transitions. We have a school completion programme.
Although we are a catholic school we enjoy celebrating other cultures and religious celebrations that students in our school are passionate about. The children are very welcoming to all new children as it is almost commonplace in our school for students to come and go.
I fear with all the anti immigration demonstrations lately that these children will feel less welcome but I hope through correct education on these topics, using some of the PLAN international lessons provided in this module, this will not be an issue.
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In my local town there is a Refugee Support Group who fundraise and have a collection centre for clothing and household supplies needed by refugee families. They also have cultural and craft days as well as talks by the refugees themselves trying their stories, which helps develop empathy and understanding among the local Irish citizens. I think schools could organise similar activities for refugee families joining the school community, thus providing a greater understanding to locals of the plight of these people. The book ‘my name is not Refugee ‘ is a great resource to use to help children empathise with refugee children and families. I also liked the PLAN international lessons provided in this module as a good resource for teaching children correctly about the whole refugee crisis and how to tackle negative stories in the media.
From a SSE point of view, leading by example would benefit all. Schools could create buddy systems for EAL children, which would be especially effective during play time. Another idea would or work with local GAA or soccer groups to help refugee children learn English through play.
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There are many organisations working to support refugees in Cork, such as NASC – The Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre, Together – Razem Centre for Ukranian Economic Migrants and The Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place.
However, I feel there have been great efforts made by the local school community. When families arrived from Syria, a local lady organised volunteers to teach English to them over the summer. The teacher in our school who runs the homework club offered the service to these children free of charge as their parents didn’t speak English and would not be able to help with homework. Collections were organised and the parents and children were very welcoming. EAL support was given to these children.
As there are more families arriving now from Ukraine, it would be beneficial to get advice from one of these agencies on how better to organise support for immigrant families as a school community.-
Hi Ciara,
Thank you for sharing the work of some of these Cork based organisations with us, as well as the excellent efforts made within your own school community. It is often at times of crisis that the best sides of humanity are shown. You have made a really important point regarding the arrival of people from Ukraine – greater collaborative efforts and communication between schools and these organisations will allow us to support these pupils in the best way possible.
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An organization that assists refugees in Dublin exists and it is called The City of Sanctuary, Dublin. This organization is connected to a network of locations, events, and businesses that assist in integrating refugees into the local community. By collaborating with this organization, I believe the school may plan a variety of events and activities to raise awareness of refugees in Ireland. Schools are crucial in raising awareness and fostering conversation regarding refugees in Ireland. It is crucial for teachers in DEIS schools to be highly sensitive to the subject matter while also educating the students about these issues. Students would gain real-world experience dealing with local migrants and asylum seekers as a result. In the end, this would promote kindness and generosity toward migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. I believe that the concept of a body system is a really interesting and successful way to integrate the refugees and the students
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In Kerry, where I’m based, organizations such as the Kerry Refugee Resettlement Programme and the Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) are actively working to support refugees. These organizations provide vital services, including housing, language support, and integration programs, to help refugees settle into their new living environments in Ireland. They also work on fostering understanding and acceptance within local communities, ensuring that refugees are welcomed and supported as they rebuild their lives.
Schools can play a pivotal part in helping refugees settle into a community. They could, for example lead community drives to collect essential items like clothing, school supplies, and household goods for refugee families. They could also create welcome kits that include personal messages, artwork, and information about local services to help refugees feel more at home.
By taking these actions, our school would not only support the practical needs of refugees but also foster a culture of compassion and inclusivity among students, preparing them to be responsible global citizens who understand the importance of solidarity in a diverse world.
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Hi Muireann,
Thank you for your post and for sharing some insights into the work completed in Tralee by that organisation. You are right when you say schools can be key drivers in getting messages out and collecting resources/supplies for those who are in need. Schools generally have access to families from a range of backgrounds, interests and socio-economic status, which makes them an ideal place for seeking help, resources, etc. for those in the greatest need.
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Refugees face many challenges when adjusting to a new environment, and I believe we have a role in helping them feel welcome. First, we could organise awareness campaigns to educate the students about the experiences of refugees. By fostering empathy and understanding, we can create a more inclusive classroom culture where diversity is valued. I would also like to collaborate with local organisations, such as the Knocklyon Refugee Support Group (KRSG), to set up mentorship programs and language exchanges. These initiatives could help build connections between the students and refugees, making it easier for them to integrate into the community. Additionally, organising fundraising efforts could provide essential resources to refugee families in need. Through these actions, my classroom and school can become a welcoming space where refugees feel supported and included, and my students can learn the importance of empathy and community.
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We as teachers definitely have a huge role to play in ensuring they feel welcome in their new school and communities. I made a big effort to get my student involved in the local GAA team and in Irish music as she showed a keen interest and knew this would be a way of helping her integrate with the community.
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The school that I am in has taken in a lot of children over the past number of years and as a staff, we have implemented some things that have eased the children’s into the school.
-Teachers can learn a few words of the language that the child speaks if they do not use English as their first language. This will create a great community of welcoming for the child as it would do wonders for the child to hear their home language in school, a new place for them.
-A community day/international day for the parents and children to teach the other members of the school about their own country. Families can also be encouraged to bring in food from their own country and this will provide opportunities for all children to see and feel other cultures.
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In my community, Dublin 24, there is an excellent support available which assist refugees within the locality – South Dublin County Partnership. The group is based in Tallaght but has other location in Clondalkin and Citywest as there are large numbers of refugees in these areas. The SDCP aims to ensure all people feel welcome and included within Irish Society therefore they provide supports on social housing and accommodation, education and employment along with teaching English and promoting positive mental health and well-being. They are a fantastic support to many in our community.
In schools there are many ways to welcome refugees into the school community. First there is education, in my current school we have an inclusion day where we celebrate all the different nationalities in our school. This year we had 37 different nationalities – each nationality was celebrated by holding up the national flag, stating some facts like, the currency, capital city, population and a greeting in their language. After the group celebration each class went and researched a different country. The students really enjoyed the inclusion day and the children from the various different countries really loved being celebrated.
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Hi Emma,
Thank you for your post and for sharing your own experiences on the forum. I am particularly taken by the ‘inclusion day’ you have described. It’s amazing to think that as many as 37 different nationalities can be present in the same school. It really does signify the open and inclusive society that Ireland has become in the main. I love the idea of all children being able to share a piece of their identity and for all people in the school to be exposed to small snippets of information about the places they have come from. All of this, I’m sure, will contribute to an excellent and inclusive atmosphere throughout the school.
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That’s great to hear about the South Dublin County Partnership and all the support they’re providing! It’s clear they’re making a positive impact in Dublin 24.
Your school’s Inclusion Day sounds fantastic! It must have been really special to celebrate so many different cultures and help students learn more about each other. It’s wonderful to see these efforts making everyone feel included and valued. I love this idea.
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There are lots of organisations working with refugees in my community including The Red Cross, The Family Resource Centre and The Mayo Intercultural Action project. These groups provide support, information and advocacy to migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and their families living in Mayo. They provide English classes to adults and can give advice on supports available.
Within my school community we have a diverse range of nationalities and they have arrived in Ireland in many different ways. Some are fleeing wars and unsafe environments. Others have come to Ireland to work in the local hospital. Others are voluntary migrants hoping to improve their lives. We have a large accommodation centre for International Protection applicants in the town. There are new children being enrolled most weeks. It is important for us that each child feels safe and welcome from their first day at school.
After meeting the Principal our secretary is the next point of contact for students and parents. She ensures that the child is brought to their new class and introduced to their teacher. The teacher always has a space ready for the child in class. They will have basic supplies ready for the child. If possible the child will sit beside another child who speaks their language. This provides huge comfort to them especially in the initial settling in phase. EAL withdrawal is always available for new commers. The child is brought on a tour of the school and given basic phrases to use e.g.Can I go to the toilet? They can be matched with a buddy/mentor to help them.
We support refugees by learning about and celebrating their religious and cultural celebrations. We learn about foods in their countries and what school is like. We include important songs for them in the Christmas concerts. All this ensures that they feel safe and welcome in our school.-
Hi Stephanie,
Think you for your post and for sharing your experiences with us. It is great to see the variety of the work being done up and down the country by various outreach centres and organisations. This is really complementing the excellent work going on in schools. Like so many others, you have outlined various specific steps you take to ensure these children feel included. The inclusion of significant songs to these children and their culture is a lovely idea within Christmas Concerts and other shows.
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When I was teaching in Senior infants 2 years ago our class received a Ukrainian student. The children in my class had previous knowledge on the war and I had heard them chatting about it in class. Before our new student joined the class we had a class discussion to help them process / understand what was happening and ask some questions. It was wonderful to see how caring and empathetic they were. I had all of them wanting to volunteer as her buddy so much so we had to take turns. As a school we made a big effort to put up signs in Ukranian to welcome her and I had Ukranian resources to help her in the transition. She has settled so well into the school and has embraced Irish culture. Joining the GAA team, learning Irish tunes on her violin. She has also brought her culture to her classmates. I have worked in schools where they did a multicultural fair to share different cultures in the school. I would like to promote this in our school next year as I think its great for all the students to learn about different practices, traditions and religions.
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Hi Roisin,
Thank you for your post and for sharing this experience with us. I think it was an excellent idea to facilitate a group discussion on the war so that the children had some idea of what their new classmate was fleeing, and different ways in which they could make them feel welcome. It’s always so heart-warming to see children go out of their way to help new child fit in, and it certainly seems like that was the case within your class.
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I really wasn’t aware of what supports there are outside my school for refugees so I had a google search. I found the South Dublin Migrant Team. Through a range of actions in the South Dublin Area, the team assists those people navigating Irish society. Their mission is to make community services accessible to migrants and to help them integrate into society, something which is not always easy with a language barrier.
In our school, we have many children from various cultures and countries. We try to celebrate and educate the whole school about the diversity that exists not only in our school but in our country. Education is so important so that our younger generations realise from a young age it is ok to be different. As I teach in a Junior School this is always to the forefront of my mind. We had a some children this year join us from Ukraine and it was so important to make sure they didn’t feel isolated because of their lack of English. We always made sure to communicate school notices to the parents through Ukranian as well as English. In my class, we learned about Ukraine and some of the language.
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Supporting Refugees in Our Community
Tullamore, like many communities, has a role to play in welcoming and supporting refugees. Organizations such as the Irish Refugee Council and local community groups are actively engaged in providing assistance.
Our school can be a beacon of welcome by:
Raising awareness: Organizing assemblies, workshops, and film screenings to educate students about the refugee experience.
Language support: Offering language classes or conversation partners to help refugees integrate into the community.
Community engagement: Collaborating with local refugee support groups on joint projects or events.
Student action: Encouraging students to volunteer their time, raise funds, or create welcome packs for new arrivals.
By fostering empathy and understanding, we can create a more inclusive school and community. Incorporating these actions into our School Self-Evaluation (SSE) can demonstrate our commitment to social justice and intercultural understanding. Development Education can provide the framework for understanding global displacement and inspire students to become agents of change.-
Hi Declan,
Thank you for your post here and for sharing so much of the great work that is happening with organisations based in Tullamore and around the midlands. You have shared so many suggestions for how a school can help – the idea of student action’ is particularly important. Getting children involved in campaigning and raising awareness around these issues can have a profound effect on building empathy to the plight of others.
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Organisations that can help are the Red Cross and the Refugee Council.
In the past some of the schools I have taught in have had refugees and my current school has children from the Ukraine. Along with additional educational supports like EAL hours and resource hours some other ideas that we have used in the past are:
Cultural days so that the families can showcase their own traditions, cultures and experiences. Parents and other family members were invited into the school where they brought in or cooked traditional foods and drinks, dressed in traditional clothes and played traditional instruments. The class children loved this.
Fundraising activities to help families: Toys, clothes, school uniforms and school supplies.
Children were invited to join the local sports clubs: Soccer, GAA, Track and Field etc
A buddy system is a great idea.
In Gaeltacht areas Irish classes were offered for both students and parents.
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The UNHCR provides a toolkit on how to welcome refugees into your school. Some of their suggestions include
1. Create a buddy system.
- Identify newly arrived refugees.
- Find students who would like to help
- Be a buddy!
- Buddies may help new refugee students with finding their way around the school – showing them where the office is, PE hall, equipment room, staffroom etc.
- Identifying specific issues that refugee students are facing, and help bring them up to the attention of the teacher or school.
- Being a friend.
2. Identify obstacles to refugee education in the school.
- Language
- Cost
- Access to internet, devices, email for school’s messaging service through Aladdin
- Transport
- Access to afterschool clubs and activities
Once obstacles have been identified it is important that the decision makers (principal/deputy principal/ HSLO) identify solutions to the barriers to refugee education.
3. Create a voluntary tutoring programme in the school provided by garda vetted teachers/SNAs/ Student teachers.
4. Organize events to bring people together and make refugees feel part of the broader school community. It could be a storytelling event, a series of performances (music, dance, etc.), a sport tournament, or a food festival to
share each other’s cultures.5. Integrate material about refugees and their plight into the curriculum.
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After looking into it, I found that groups like the Irish Refugee Council and Doras are doing great work supporting refugees in our area. Schools can really make a difference by weaving refugee stories into history or social studies classes to help students understand and appreciate different backgrounds. Bringing in guest speakers or setting up cultural exchange programs can also expand students’ perspectives.
Schools can boost community involvement by hosting events like cultural festivals or international food fairs. These gatherings can bring local residents and refugee families together in a fun, relaxed way. Creating after-school clubs or mentorship programs focused on supporting refugees can offer practical help and build empathy among students.
Including Development Education in School Self-Evaluation (SSE) is a great move. It ensures schools are not just hitting academic targets but also promoting global awareness and social responsibility, helping students grow into thoughtful global citizens while actively supporting refugees.
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I am grateful for the many resources and links to organisations that were linked in this module. Our school has a multi-national student population and many refugees and migrants in the past years.
I liked the lesson depicted where the class discussed the difference between voluntary and involuntary migration, and learned about circumstances that may lead to a person choosing to or ebing forced to leave their homes. I think awareness of circumstances is important to allow for and create empathy. I liked how the lesson highlighted the gifts of immigration too such as opportunity to learn languages, culture, food and workers.
I think cultivating a school wide culture of inclusion and respect for all sentient beings is an important baseline for supporting all of these development education topics. Celebrating diversity of all kinds and creating awareness of the beauty inherent in all of it. On a whole school level, having a display that recognises and celebrates all of the nationalities / cultures in the student population, hosting multi-cultural and multi-faith celebrations – inviting students to share about their heritage. It would be a benefit to invite people to donate uniforms, books, clothes, supplies etc in good condition to the school that can be offered to students who may need them. I think it would be beneficial to set up an intercultural commitee with teachers and parents who can organise educational / community gathering events to create opportunity for relationship development and support cohesion within the community.
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In county Meath Cultúr was extablished in 2000, it is community organisation that supports ethnic minorities, including immigrants, migrant workers, asylum seekers, and refugees. The strive to address the challenges faced by new communities, particularly those in the Mosney Direct Provision Centre. The organisation initially provided support through volunteer-led initiatives like conversational English classes, mother and toddler groups, and information services in multiple languages before it became a registered charity, Its mission is to empower these communities, promote their rights, and combat poverty, social exclusion, and racism.
To support refugees and welcome them to the community our school could host fundraisers to support Cultúr. We could also establish a buddy system, pairing students with refugee peers to help them adapt and feel welcomed. Hosting community events that celebrate diverse cultures can further create a supportive environment. We could ensure that they are include in the school council and their parents invited to be part of the ATP (action team partnership). For our SSE , it would be important that Additional EAL and learning support classes prioritised as they are crucial in overcoming language barriers, ensuring that all students can participate fully in school life and benefit from the educational opportunities -
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One meaningful action could be organising a “Cultural Exchange Day,” where refugee students and their families share their traditions, food, and stories with the wider school community. This not only fosters mutual understanding but also helps refugee students feel valued and included. Additionally, students can participate in mentorship programs, where they partner with refugee students to help them navigate the school system, learn the language, and adjust to the new culture. Hosting fundraisers to support local refugee organisations or starting a school-wide donation drive for essential items can also make a significant impact. These initiatives would not only provide practical support but also build empathy and global awareness among students.
Integrating the Migration Module into School Self-Evaluation (SSE)
The migration module can significantly contribute to School Self-Evaluation (SSE) by providing a framework for assessing how well the school supports diversity and inclusivity. Through this module, the school can gather feedback from refugee students and their families about their experiences, which can then inform improvements in school policies and practices. For instance, the SSE process could evaluate how effectively the school has integrated refugee students into the academic and social fabric of the school, identify gaps in resources, and set goals for enhancing support systems. Additionally, the module can help measure the impact of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and fostering a welcoming environment, ensuring that the school’s efforts are both meaningful and sustainable. -
Children are fantastic at seeing the similarities between themselves and others instead of surface differences. Children in Primary school are at an ideal age to really connect with refugees as people from other cultures and communities and to make them feel welcomed and included in our community.
School is a perfect place to learn more about other cultures and the lives of people from other lands. I believe that education is the key to resolving the problem of inequality and injustice. Through education, through a deeper understanding of the culture and place of origin of refugees into our country, children can gain a connection to refugees and develop an interest in learning more about them and their lives. This is where a desire to help and to include can be fostered. In school, we could launch a project on the different countries and cultures that the refugees from our community come from. This could be done on a whole school level with shared learning throughout the different classes about different places and cultures.
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