Student leaders at Kooringal High School and The Forest High School have taken initiative to organise meaningful Refugee Week celebrations, creating platforms for refugee students to share their stories and build stronger school communities.
At Kooringal High School in the Riverina, student leaders worked with teacher Zahraa Nahem to coordinate assemblies where refugee students shared their personal journeys. Leaders organised storytelling sessions that sparked conversations about empathy and understanding across the school community.
Meanwhile, at The Forest High School on the Northern Beaches, student organisers planned a comprehensive cultural program featuring the Pacifica Lei Dance group and Tibetan student slam poets. Year 11 student, Tenzin Khenrab, one of the featured poets, exemplified student leadership by using his platform to represent his refugee background with pride. Student leaders also coordinated a bake sale fundraiser, directing all proceeds toward Tibetan Children’s Village and refugee support programs.
Both schools demonstrated how student leaders can move beyond token gestures to create lasting impact through year-round programs supporting refugee families.
What you can try: Organise storytelling assemblies where students share cultural experiences, and establish ongoing fundraising initiatives that support refugee organisations in your community.
