Peace in Ukraine Day - supporting the Schools of Sanctuary
Lesson: Understanding the World
Our Peace in Ukraine Day on Thursday 7th March
Thank you all for your amazing support on the 'Peace in Ukraine Day'. Everyone looked fantastic in their Blue and Yellow as we raised awareness and money for the Red Cross response in the Ukraine. We sold out of all the bracelets and keyrings in our shop- with lots more of your ordering bracelets to show your support. This is on top of your amazing support of donations at our Westwood drop off point. We cannot thank you enough.
Many of you may know that many Ukrainian refugees will be coming to North Wales to seek sanctuary from the horrors happening in their country. Westwood is a place of sanctuary and we hope you will be supportive of our efforts to be a school of sanctuary.
What is a School of Sanctuary?
- A place that fosters a culture of welcome and safety for people seeking sanctuary, including asylum seeking and refugee families.
- Educates the whole school community about the human right to sanctuary and identifies practical means for schools to demonstrate that commitment.
- Builds empathy and intercultural awareness through promoting the voices and contributions of people seeking sanctuary, encouraging an understanding of the experiences of displaced people and helping to combat stereotypes.
Why become a School of Sanctuary?
Schools play a crucial role in helping young people to make sense of the world, to become responsible citizens and to create positive change in their communities.
Schools are often at the forefront of receiving and supporting those forcibly displaced through conflict AND through no fault of their own – for example, nearly a quarter of asylum seekers in the year ending September 2019 were under 18. Young people in the UK need not only to learn about these issues but where possible meet people face-to-face who have lived experience of displacement in order to understand both their local communities and the wider world better. Up to press, in Ukraine, over 3.6 million people have been displaced and are refugees.
Westwood is committed to becoming a School of Sanctuary. Our work to date, has included communities and you as our stakeholders. Our latest curriculum work in Key stage 2, explored ‘Little Amal’ and the plight of refugee children. Our ‘Peace in Ukraine’ day allowed our children to explore the need for peace in our world, it is our children’s world we need to protect. We are also planning events in Refugee week, from Monday 20the June, with a launch assembly on 17th June, with the Flintshire City of Sanctuary Team. Watch this space on how you can support our school community to become not only ethically informed citizens, but a school of sanctuary that allows us to:
- Build a school culture that reduces intolerance, hate speech and bullying
- Build an inclusive and supportive school community
- Increase pupil voice and promoting active & engaged citizenship
- Engage families and strengthening the school’s role in the local community
- Promote well-being & community cohesion by building empathetic school environments
Thank you for your ongoing awareness and support—Team Westwood & our House Captains
