Marsden Valley Education Centre - Shantytown

Junior Social Science teamed up with Marsden Valley Education Centre to gain a greater understanding of what is to be a refugee. Year 10's visited Shantytown on Tuesday 2nd May and Year 9's went on Monday 8th May.

Students were welcomed into the classroom by Madame Mayers and the scene was set: 

The country of Ukaonia is in conflict, there has been a military coup, boys aged 11 and over are being conscripted, whilst the girls are being sent to the ammunitions factories. Madame Mears teaches at the Elite School of Business, where wealthy students attend. We were those students! Our parents had a meeting the previous evening and had instructed her to help us flee. We each had a train ticket and some money. We had 5 minutes to pack 1 rucksack and a sack with everything we would need for food, warmth, and shelter. Our only option was to seek refugee status once across the border into Shantonia.

Whistles sounded to indicate approaching soldiers or militia and the student groups escaped through a trap door at the front of the classroom up into the hills. Soldiers blew whistles to notify other units in the area that there are civilians escaping. Students staggered quickly & silently on a trek to the New River Hotel where the owner is a known supporter. Groups had to take cover in the bush as Army patrols were on the track. At the end of the trail each group took an alternative route to reach the New River Hotel. Stealth was required as not only were they trying to avoid the militia, but it is also a known area for criminals, bandits, and rebels.

Safely in the hotel, or so we thought, a bandit arrived to ‘hold-up’ the students. They were forced to open packs and they lost some belongs, documents, money and even train tickets. ‘Families’ had to decide what to do as a consequence of having lost so much. Some had to plan how to get on the train without tickets or money for bribery. Everyone needed excuses.

Groups silently trudged (it was raining on the Year 10’s) down to the gold claim, mixing and mingling as tourists or locals in case the militia come through. Hiding, again, in the bush, students pretended it was the end of the day. From their sacks, they had tarpaulin and rope to make shelters and they had chance to share any food rations (lunch boxes). Some needed to catch up on sleep. Each group had to post sentries in case of patrols. (Waiting, undiscovered for the train ride was a necessary detour, required to obtain maps of the least patrolled border crossing.)

Before ‘daybreak’ groups rose silently and packed up properly, ready for the second most dangerous part of the escape- the train journey! Each group had one person that needed to rendezvous with the train driver at the top of the line to acquire the maps. On hearing the train toot in the township, we awaited the signal from the teacher to enter the sawmill and prepare to board the train. Students needed to hand over train tickets. Some students were missing tickets and needed to have their distractions and excuses planned.

Groups ‘casually’ gathered belongings and used the maps they had memorised, to make their way to the secret location for further instructions. From their new hiding spots, when the signal was given, each of the groups attempted to cross the border into Shantonia from the Cobb & Co Stables vicinity. As always, we were aware that we may have been stopped by the constable on border patrol, soldiers, or rebels.

Across the border all refugees entered the Church to lie silently between the pews. The nun checked documents and helped with processing in preparation for the Refugee Camp…