World Refugee Week occurred during Week 8 at HBHS, from the 20th to the 23rd of June, 2022.

The week was a brilliant success, thanks to the inspired leadership of Mrs Shah and her team. The annual Tutor Group quiz had widespread participation, and answering the questions was a fun way to spend Tutor Group time. Ms Ashby’s Tutor Group came out on top, with GT, HL, and OV as runners up. On Tuesday at lunchtime, the Academic Committee also held a team quiz which was highly popular, with a large turnout of enthusiastic boys. 

Furthermore, the screening of the film Constance on the Edge in the Library on Thursday proved to be a moving and informative experience for those who attended. A poster-making, poetry and essay writing competition was also held, and we have included the winning entries. The Brotherhood Football match took place on Wednesday and was the main event of World Refugee Week. The work of numerous boys, mentors and teachers from the MMC paid off spectacularly, and a huge crowd amassed to watch the game at lunchtime. The team from the MMC fought hard and, in a nail-biting finish, managed to win the game in a penalty shootout. The match was immensely entertaining and combined with singing and drumming from the Pasifika group, the atmosphere was invigorating and exciting. The after-match function was also a very special occasion and was attended by the players as well as dignitaries and the chief guest, a former refugee Police Officer. It was a great way to celebrate the unity and brotherhood that exists at HBHS. Both Ali, the chief guest and Damas, an MMC member, gave touching speeches about their journeys as former refugees. World Refugee Week 2022 could not have been better!

We have attached a copy of the winning poem, How ironic, by Ayaan Harunani (Year 10), the winning essay by Obaidullah Zaman (Year 9), the runner-up essay by Joseph Guo (Year 9), and the winning posters by Michael Crowther (Year 10) and Oli Jones (Year 10), below.

Photography supplied by Mrs Lynnette Ross and our student photographers.

Thanks to the HBHS Film & Television Department for the video coverage.