Transition support for students from refugee backgrounds

Refugee students in schools

Refugee students• come from diverse cultural and linguistic

backgrounds• come from different educational and socio-economic

backgrounds• have had a range of life experiences• have all suffered trauma associated with refugee

experiences

Need for transition support

Young students from refugee backgrounds may need support in learning and negotiating:

• school expectations, culture and new ways of learning – transition from IEC to mainstream

• English language, literacy, numeracy skills• settlement, education and family responsibilities• peer relationships and social acceptance • aspirations, expectations and reality – future pathways• transitions towards citizenship in a new cultural space

Role of schools and teachers

• Refugee young people see education as a source of hope for future

• Schools can provide a sense of safety, attachment, belonging and wellbeing – links with broader Australian community

• Relationships with teachers and school staff very important

• Schools can assist students to develop peer relationships

Successful Settlement and Learning

Safety

Trust

AttachmentResponsibility

Skills

STARS

Refugee Transition Program (RTP)

Aims to support high school aged refugee students:

• in transition from intensive English programs into mainstream high school

• to plan their transition from school to further education, training or employment

Participating schoolsSouth Western Sydney Region

Parramatta HS (2009)Fairvale HS (2009)Auburn Girls High SchoolChester Hill High SchoolFairfield High SchoolHolroyd High SchoolLurnea High SchoolMiller Technology High SchoolLiverpool BHS (2011)Liverpool GHS (2011)

Western Sydney Region

Doonside THS (2009)Mitchell High SchoolArthur Phillip High SchoolEvans HS (2011)

North Coast RegionOrara High School

Riverina RegionWagga Wagga High School

Hunter Central Coast RegionCallaghan College – Waratah

CampusIllawarra South East RegionWollongong HS PA (2011)

Challenging authentic learning tasks • Students form a political party and design a how-to-vote

brochure for their families/carers• Students make animated films about traditional games and

share at childcare centre• Students research and make a film about a career path that

interests them, including interview• Students plan a cultural tour of their local area for students

from another school• Students complete barista training and plan and run a café• Students build a website to provide information for refugee

communities

Social Inclusion Pathways for Refugee Youth

Work readiness programs

RAW: JobQuest Penrith• Employability skills• Vocational learning and

preparation for work/• Work with career partners

/partnership brokers /community organisations

RAS: Refugee Action Support

In-school and after school tutorial assistance from university students

Macquarie Mentoring program

University student mentors assist high school students from refugee backgrounds to develop study and learning skills, think about their future life after school and plan their transition to further education and training.

The Welcome Program

• Orientation program for refugee / ESL students in transition to HS from IEC

• 8 x weekly sessions including :• orientation to HS• expectations• getting organised• homework and

assessments• pathways• challenges at high school

Whole school professional learning