Refugee Bursary | Sydney Catholic Schools

From Iraq to Australia: two sisters’ tale of embracing resilience and finding their dreams

Helen recalls tearing up on her first day of school in Australia, feeling overwhelmed by not knowing how to communicate.

Born and raised in Iraq, the former Sydney Catholic Schools student and her sister Nadeen had a tumultuous start to life, constantly facing the looming threat of persecution from militant groups.

In a country where Catholics make up less than one percent of the population, the sisters and their parents relocated to Australia via Lebanon, seeking better opportunities, a higher quality of life and the freedom to practice their faith in peace.

In 2020, fate led them to Sydney Catholic Schools’ Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), and their academic future quickly became one of optimism, brimming with newfound potential and opportunities.

The CEF supports a number of refugee students via bursaries across 39 Sydney Catholic Schools, easing financial burdens and supporting families academically, emotionally, and spiritually.

“The opportunity to study in a Sydney Catholic School was one of our parents’ main goals. Catholic values align perfectly with who we are as a family. Without the CEF’s support, our parents wouldn’t have been able to afford to enrol us at our dream school, and it gave them significant peace of mind,” Nadeen said.

Starting high school in Year 10 and Year 11, when most students already have established friendships, took significant courage. Additionally, the pressure to perform well academically was immense.

“I struggled with understanding the accent and often joked about needing subtitles. However, through the CEF’s support, intensive English programs and a nurturing school community, we overcame these obstacles,” Helen said.

Helen and Nadeen truly returned their parents’ persistence and dedication in ensuring their daughters had every opportunity available to them during their academic journeys and beyond.

baden.parkerbrown@syd.catholic.edu.auJuly 25, 2024|

Empowering refugee students through a Catholic education

It’s a typical Monday morning at All Saints Catholic College Liverpool in south-west Sydney, one of the largest and most vibrant Catholic schools in Australia. As students gather around lockers and corridors, preparing for another day of learning, the school resonates with a vibrant energy that sets it apart.

Unlike many typical Australian schools, the college echoes with the laughter and chatter of refugee students from Syria, Iraq and Palestine, contributing to a bustling multicultural community.

This is a place where differences are celebrated, where every student finds a welcoming environment to thrive and grow, while honouring their often extraordinary backgrounds

Underpinning this commitment to supporting refugee students, is Sydney Catholic Schools’ Catholic Education Foundation (CEF).

The CEF’s Refugee Bursary ensures all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to a quality Catholic education. It offers crucial support to families who’ve fled their countries of origin to seek safety, peace and opportunity in Australia.

At All Saints Catholic College, the integration and support of refugee students into the school community is approached with a deep sense of compassion. This commitment is evident through various initiatives and perspectives offered within the school community.

A former refugee student returns as a staff member to pay it forward

Former student, Nancy, had only just turned six when war broke out in Syria.

“We were living a normal life until the war started, then things started to deteriorate and get bad. By the end of 2016, it was a threat to our lives to stay there. There was no electricity, we had to find a solution,” Nancy said.

Nancy’s family fled to Lebanon and applied to come to Australia. Six months later, aged 13, she and her family set foot …

baden.parkerbrown@syd.catholic.edu.auJune 24, 2024|

From refugee to advocate: Thang’s journey in support of an inspiring cause

For Thang Phan, a Project Officer within Sydney Catholic Schools’ Vocational Education and Training (VET) team, the Catholic Education Foundation’s (CEF) Refugee Bursary initiative resonates deeply.

The CEF continues to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to a quality Catholic education with its Refugee Bursary providing invaluable support to families who have fled their countries of origin in search of a better life here in Australia.

One of the initiatives top fundraisers, Thang was born in Vietnam, a country left deeply scarred in the aftermath of war.

“I was a refugee along with my entire family. My family’s decision to leave Vietnam was driven by a desire for a better future for their children,” Mr Thang Phan said.

In the midst of a nation ravaged by the consequences of war, Thang’s parents managed to gather their nine children onto a small fishing boat, determined to escape the confines of their homeland.

Thang’s recollections of this harrowing journey are blurred by his age at the time. He was merely five years old when they set sail in the late 1970s, alongside countless others looking for refuge.

His family’s destination was Hong Kong, where they would spend two years in a refugee camp before finding acceptance in the United Kingdom.

In England, Thang’s new life began to take shape. It was a challenging time for his family, grappling with a foreign language and adapting to an unfamiliar environment.

Charities and local religious organisations, much like the CEF, played a pivotal role in their settlement, providing essential support including shelter, clothing, and education.

“I don’t think we could have survived on our own. We were given housing and everything from clothing to furniture was …

baden.parkerbrown@syd.catholic.edu.auNovember 13, 2023|

From Iraq to Australia: two sisters’ tale of embracing resilience and finding their dreams

Empowering refugee students through a Catholic education

From refugee to advocate: Thang’s journey in support of an inspiring cause

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Contact

phone

Links

Follow Us