3rd February 2023
HEADLINES
By James Saunders
Pikheyr) ريخپ
(Salâm) مالس
We are excited to welcome a new group of Afghan children to our school as part of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. These children and their families were evacuated from Afghanistan due to the dangerous and unpredictable situation in the country that emerged a little over a year ago following the US troop withdrawal and have found a safe haven in the UK. Their journey to get here has been long and challenging, but we are proud to say that our school is a place where they can find support, friendship, and a sense of belonging. Our school is committed to promoting equality and inclusion for all, and we believe that diversity enriches the learning experience for everyone. In Afghanistan, families face numerous challenges, including poverty, lack of access to education, and the threat of violence. Despite obstacles such as these, the families we welcome were able to support the UK and UK armed forces in important roles, such as translation. It is because of their dedication and bravery that they have been able to resettle in the UK and start a new chapter in their lives. We believe that our school community has a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of these children and their families. By welcoming them with open arms and showing them kindness and compassion, we can help them feel valued and included. Our school is a place where everyone is encouraged to be themselves, and where diversity is celebrated. You will recall the feedback I shared a few weeks ago from our Ofsted inspection - 100% of learners were positive about the following statement: ‘my school encourages me to respect learners from other backgrounds and to treat everyone equally’. I am confident that Honywood is the right place to help these learners to be themselves and thrive.
It is important for our community to understand that these children and their families are not refugees by choice, but rather because they had to leave their homes and communities in order to protect their safety. We encourage families to be understanding and patient as these children adjust to their new surroundings and make new friends. It is easy for us to build up our understanding of global political issues through snippets of mainstream and social media. Rarely does this capture the full nuance of a situation on an individual level. At Honywood I am confident that everyone will demonstrate kindness and live up to our core values of Trust, Respect, Equity and Excellence. We would like to invite everyone to help us to create a warm and inclusive environment for our new learners. Simple gestures, such as introducing yourself and making conversation, can make all the difference. By coming together as a community, we can help these children feel at home and support them as they begin their journey at Honywood. In conclusion, we are honoured to have these new children and their families join our school community and believe that their presence will enrich our lives and bring new perspectives and experiences to our classrooms. We are committed to promoting equality and inclusion and believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. By working together, we can create a school community that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of all cultures. Our families speak one of two languages: Pashto and Dari. Below are a few phrases in both languages that we can use to welcome our new learners to our community. Have a nice weekend.
James Saunders