Dear Parents and Carers,

This Sunday 14th June marks the beginning of Refugee Week.

Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. 

Originally celebrated in 1986, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June).

Refugee Week is a unique opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through theatre, music, dance, film and other events which take place all over Australia and highlight the aims of the Week which are:

• to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia;
• to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia;
• to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community;
• to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees;
• for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world; and
• for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.

Teachers will be exploring the stories of refugees and the acknowledging and celebrating the diversity of our wonderful country. Please share in this prayer that reminds us of their story and how we are all a part of God’s family..

God, no one is stranger to you 

And no one is ever far from your loving care. 

In your kindness watch over migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, 

Those separated from their loved ones, 

Those who are lost 

And those who have been exiled from their homes. 

Bring them safely to the place where they long to be, 

And help us always to show your kindness to strangers 

And those in need. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord, 

Who too was a refugee and migrant 

Who travelled to another land 

Searching for a home. 

Amen