Fairfield awarded the School of Sanctuary award
Fairfield is proud to have been awarded the School of Sanctuary award in recognition of the way we welcome and celebrate refugee and asylum seeker students.
Janice Callow, Excalibur Academies Trust lead for Wellbeing and Professional Development comments: “Many people have contributed to this award and it is a tribute to their consistent hard work. We are proud to be a School of Sanctuary; it reflects our belief that Fairfield is a place where all are welcome, all are cared for, all are respected and all thrive.”
This month students from across the year groups attended a celebration event at the official residence of the Lord Mayor, the Mansion House in Clifton, Bristol, to formally receive the award.
Year 11 student Ritaj, who came to the UK from Syria in 2017, gave a speech at the event in which she said: “I would like all refugees to have the opportunities that I have had at Fairfield High School – from help in class to help with the uniform and finding my way around.”
Ritaj and the other students also listened to speeches by the Lord Mayor and other people in the City of Sanctuary movement, as well as attending a drumming workshop and having the chance to explore the plush Victorian building and gardens.
The School of Sanctuary award comes after years of work to make the school even more inclusive and welcoming. Janice explains: “Events like World Hijab Day and the Community Iftar are examples of events which help to bring community together. More importantly, the daily work of supporting students in their learning and providing a curriculum which celebrates wisdom and history from a variety of cultures ensures we are preparing students for life in a rich and diverse world. The Covid emergency made us pause the work for a while, but we completed the rigorous application process once it was over.”
Students at Fairfield are now making plans to celebrate Refugee Week from 19-23 June with fundraising, displays, a treasure hunt and an art workshop.