Not your average classroom

Dr Graham Thom, Refugee Coordinator 24 December 2009, 10:51AM

Time and time again I've been astonished and inspired by the resilience and positive energy children can muster in times of adversity.

Most recently I had this happy experience while visiting the kids - many of whom are seeking asylum in our country - and head staff of the local school on Christmas Island.

Jessica, Louise and I - the team visiting Christmas Island in December 2009 - were welcomed warmly by principal Ian Francis and deputy principal Alan Thornton. The Christmas Island school caters to children from pre-school to high school. On top of the 370 local students attending the school, it also caters for around 65 to 120 asylum seeker students. The asylum seeker students include both children who have come with their families and a number of unaccompanied minors - predominantly 15, 16 and 17 year old boys.

In 2009 Amnesty International Australia coordinated our school groups on the mainland to write cards to the students - both asylum seeker and locals - at the Christmas Island school. It was wonderful to be able to hand over hundreds of cards, gifts and kites to the kids at the school - and to be there to see the beginning of what will hopefully develop into an ongoing exchange between students from the mainland schools and Christmas Island.

I was greatly impressed with not only the facilities available at the school but also the warm, welcoming attitude that was immediately apparent when talking to staff and meeting students. The asylum seeker children clearly add to the already diverse mixture of local students.

I doubt there are many other schools in Australia that have a Christmas tree in the reception, a regular canteen and also a separate halal canteen to cater for the large ethnic Malay community on the island.

Walking around the school we saw the music and art classrooms where all the children take classes together, as well as the English acceleration classrooms for the asylum seeker children. The school has developed its own comprehensive language program - they avoid the use of interpreters as it has proven to slow down the learning process.

The inclusive philosophy of the school was always apparent. We were invited to talk to a group of boys, indistinguishable from any of the other students. These were Afghan Hazaras - unaccompanied minors who were forced to escape Afghanistan to avoid being forcibly recruited by the Taliban. Despite the horrors they had seen and the fact that they had to leave their families behind, these kids were able to laugh and joke with us about their favourite classes, (English, not maths!), and the opportunities to play sport with their friends.

We also spoke to the Tamil children at the school who are on Christmas Island without parents or adult guardians. They were keen to talk about their favourite Australian cricket players.

It was only when speaking about their families that the smiles faded from their faces and you were quickly reminded they were not like the other students at the school. Fortunately most had been able to contact their families and tell them they were safe, and the smiles returned.

Despite being separated I'm sure if their parents knew of the care, respect and welcoming environment they received each day at the school, it would be some small consolation.

Share: What are these?

Features and analysis

Sorry, commenting is no longer available in this weblog entry.

Make an impact

Migrant workers in Australia are vulnerable to discrimination, exploitation and unsafe working conditions. Tell our government that you want Australia to sign the Migrant Workers Convention.

Stay Informed

Sign up for email updates

Email address:

Subscribe using RSS

Get Involved

Around the world, millions of refugees seek sanctuary from violence and persecution. By giving now you will be protecting the rights of people like these two boys, watching food distribution at Gaga Refugee Camp in eastern Chad.

• Join Amnesty International
• Act locally