Cathedral School Provide Refugee ‘Sanctuary’ as Government Legislation ‘Makes it Even Harder'

Refugee Week is a ‘powerful reminder’ of our calling all year round to make Wales safe for all while legislation makes it 'harder' says Outreach and Social Justice Officer Christoph Auckland.

While church schools across South Wales ran activities around the Refugee Week 2023 theme 'Compassion', Cathedral School, Llandaff, reflected on the constant need for a culture of welcome as the school enters its second year under the ‘School of Sanctuary’ status.

Christoph Auckland said, “Refugee Week is a powerful reminder of the incredible contribution new-comers to Wales and the United Kingdom make to our society, our culture, and our communities, and offers us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both them and the amazing our work our churches and schools, particularly our Schools Sanctuary, do to welcome them.

“But God’s heart for the vulnerable and his challenge to show love, hospitality and welcome extends beyond Refugee Week; it is something he invites us to participate in every day. Perhaps now more than ever, as legislation makes safe and legal access to sanctuary in Wales even harder, we need to rise to that invitation, as individuals, as churches, and as a nation, for all those who seek a safe home here in Wales.”

Schools of Sanctuary are a national network of over 400 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms all committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for refugees and people seeking asylum.

In July 2022, The Cathedral School, Llandaff, became the first independent school in the UK to gain the Schools of Sanctuary accreditation. After two years of research, training, projects and working with schools from the Llandaff Diocese, pupils and staff were very proud to be presented with the award.

This year was the 25th anniversary of Refugee Week, and Cathedral School’s third year of taking part in the project but now as a School of Sanctuary.

Head of Cathedral School Clare Sherwood said, “The last few years have been challenging for all of us. We are still adjusting to new realities post-lockdown as well as responding to new crises. With this in mind, the theme for our third Refugee Week was Compassion.”

During the week, Cathedral School’s Schools of Sanctuary Coordinator, Miss Morton, and Mrs Fletcher, who works with different charities that support refugees and asylum seekers, led assemblies and presentations across the Primary and Senior Sections, teaching the pupils about displaced people around the world. Pupils in Years 3-6 attended webinars led by the authors of The Waiting Place and Where Stars are Scattered, who are also refugees themselves; this was the inspiration for their own story writing. At the end of Refugee Week, they were pleased to welcome Viktoriia, someone originally from Ukraine with lived experience as a refugee, who was happy to share the story of her journey with the Primary Section and some Senior year groups. It was an inspirational and informative week enjoyed by staff and pupils.

Clare Sherwood said, “We are so proud to be a School of Sanctuary and we continue to strive to embed the values in our staff, pupils, and parents, and sustain a culture of welcome through The Cathedral School. Our main thoughts are always considering how we can make all people feel included: in our communities, our schools, and our lives.”