9A bags opportunity for real-life learning

The idea for producing backpacks with the Nayland logo and filling them with useful school supplies such as stationery, lunchboxes and drink bottles, canteen vouchers and useful information such as a school map, came out of the class’s learning about the realities that refugees have to face.

“It originally started with our topic of refugees in our class. We explored different types of refugees, where they come from and struggles they face when they depart their country and when they arrive in their new country, and then through that, we actually decided we could help to welcome these people by doing something,” 9A class member Astrid said.

“We had a big class brainstorm and everyone put their ideas in and the ones that were mentioned a couple of times and some of the better ones went through to the final list of the things we wanted,” classmate Isla added.

Like all projects, there were moments when it seemed difficult to make happen. “I guess there were some points when we were like ‘ah, is this actually going to work out?’, when we started looking through the budgets and stuff, but eventually we came to the conclusion that if we all donated (...) then we could do it,” fellow 9A student Amy said.

The bags are now ready to go. The maps and information has been translated into Spanish, in acknowledgement of the fact that most of Nayland’s refugee students at the moment come from Colombia. “I reckon it’s really cool. It was a great idea and it turned out way better than I thought it would,” 9A student Kahu said.

Recently 9A students were lucky enough to build on their learning about refugees when learning assistant Ana Brito De Stanley, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, came to talk to them. 

She started by asking the students what they thought about her, such as what her occupation could have been before she came to New Zealand. She then revealed she had been a GP and a diplomat in various countries by showing them her documents. The point was not to judge, and also that documentation is very important in the immigration process.

Ana went on to divide the students into groups: Colombian farmers, the Colombian government, and a lawyer. She created a scenario to show how life is so difficult in Colombia, with drug lords forcing farmers to grow cocaine, bribing the government, and threatening the right minded lawyer who would dare to speak out. This really helped the students to understand the situation the students were coming from.

“A quote that stuck with me is that Ana said that these refugee students feel they do not want pity or compassion. They are here because they are strong, and deserve respect. She encouraged 9A to be persistent in being kind and compassionate, trying to be a friend, encouraging these refugee students to speak English. It was a very powerful lesson,” 9A social studies teacher Amanda Walker said.