School of Sanctuary 2024

We would like to tell you about a new journey we are undertaking as a school to become what is known as a School of Sanctuary.

A school of Sanctuary is a place of welcome for all; it educates about why people are forcibly displaced; it recognises that the UK is enriched by new arrivals and it supports pupils from all backgrounds to feel seen, supported and included.

Over the years we have taught the children about migration and why people are forcibly displaced, in order to understand both their local communities and the wider world better. We have also done some fundraising during refugee week, made food collections for refugee organisations at Harvest time and the children have drawn welcome pictures for newly arrived people seeking asylum. We plan to continue this good work looking for ways we can further support refugees at a local and national level.

Receiving a School of Sanctuary Award from City of Sanctuary UK will recognise this good practice in fostering a culture of welcome, belonging and solidarity for those seeking safety.

https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/

We appreciate your support and all you do in helping make St. Stephen’s a warm and welcoming community.

You can see the evidence of our pledge to schools of Sanctuary here

https://data.cityofsanctuary.org/supporting-organisations?contact_sub_type=All&name%5B0%5D=9&page=2 

Watch this space for further developments!

Thank you so much for your amazing response to our appeal for Christmas presents for families who are refugees and living in Leeds. Take a look at the photos - it was lovely to hear what a difference your generosity had made. 

We were pleased to welcom Katherine Hogg from the School of Sanctuary movement in Leeds to lead our collective worship.  She told us what it means to be a School of Sanctuary and showed us the symbol which we then made by joining hands with our neighbours.  Katherine brought Wan from Malaysia with her.  She taughrt us how to count to 10 in Malay and gave us suggestions on how we might make children from other cultures feel welcome,

Thank you for all the amazing migration stories that the children have brought in - it shows how diverse and interesting we are as a school community!  Please check out the display in the hall.

Global club have learnt a lot about asylum seekers and refugees this half-term.  They played a simulation game pretending to be families forced to leave their homes - they were so sensible and empathetic whilst they were playing.  They have made more welcome posters for asylum seekers arriving in Leeds.

We were very pleased to welcome into school Mohammad from Yemen, Fathelratman from Sudan and Yeserah from Eritrea, all asylum seekers currently living in Leeds. They spoke to the children in years one, two and five.  Fathelratman shared a video message from his little sister, aged 7,  who has fled Sudan and is currently living in Egypt.  He hasn't seen her for over a year.  The children asked some great questions about the weather in their countries, the journeys they made to get here and whether they had felt welcomed.  Year one asked to learn to count to 10 in their languages!  Our visitors loved coming to meet the children, Fathelratman said "This has been a wonderful experience, my best day since coming to the UK".

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