Celebrating Inclusion Within Catholic School Communities
Rosaly McNamara (CEOM New Arrivals) and Leonie Lisiecki (CEOM Student Wellbeing)
Celebrating Inclusion Within Catholic School Communities is a Catholic Education Office Melbourne project that acknowledges the range of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) students in schools today. St Mary’s Dandenong, St Anthony’s Noble Park, Holy Family Doveton and St John’s College Dandenong have been a part of this initiative which seeks to improve transition and engagement practices for all students.
Cultural and linguistic diversity and the promotion of wellbeing has been celebrated as a positive educational experience with emphasis given to strengthening the link between the primary schools and St John’s, building positive partnerships with parents and community agencies.
A partnership with Foundation House has been established to assist the schools in building supportive environments which are critical for the wellbeing, health, happiness and achievement of all students, but in particular for students who may have experienced trauma and disruption in their lives.
To further strengthen the partnership with parents a key event was held at St John’s Regional College Dandenong. The school hosted a Sudanese Education Support Program for parents with students currently enrolled at St John’s and the primary feeder schools.
Forty parents participated in a highly interactive and informative day of workshops centred on various topics including:
- Identifying key concerns and finding solutions to deal with challenges young people from CALD communities face
- Understanding the Australian education system,
- Enhancing the transition process
- Learning about school policies and practices
- Supporting young people with homework and study
The day concluded with a panel made up of representatives from St John’s, CEOM and Foundation House responding to a wide range of questions about the wellbeing needs of young people. Participants found the day invaluable, many commenting that all parents would benefit from an opportunity to share experiences. Most significantly the program highlighted the importance of building strong partnerships between schools and parents in order to enhance student wellbeing.
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