Australia Connects Syria – Poem

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Danielle Golle

I used the idea of the title after watching a very inspiring TED talk presented by Melissa Flemming who shared with us true stories about the Syrian refugees and asks us to help rebuild their world. Retrieved from:

http://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_fleming_let_s_help_refugees_thrive_not_just_survive

I envisage this poem to be read at the ‘ACS’ open day.

If I am not a Student I am Nothing

When fear touches painful memories,

and you miss the ones you love…

Plant this tree from ‘ACS’

… be reminded of your happy thoughts

and they too will smile from above.

Each time you water it, watch it grow, see it blossom,

Just as you will do the same…

A new journey has begun.

Hope for the future is what you’ll gain.

When sadness takes a hold of you…

May music soothe and calm.

The strength and connection of cultures,

Will help find your inner charm.

When anger strikes your mind and body,

Let dance and art be your escape…

Your ‘ACS’ friends and loved ones unite with you

to keep you feeling safe.

With a purpose to continue to achieve and learn…

You are NOT nothing…

YOU are a student, but most importantly,

YOU are you…

and that is everything…

                                                                         Danielle Golle 2015

Posted in Community of Practice, Future Learning Space, Refugees coming to Australia, The Learning Space | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Future Learning Space….Australia Connects Sryia – ‘ACS’ (Click on link Below)

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Danielle Golle
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Picture Reference: Tetrault, R (2012). mg_1746.jpg. Retrieved from http://www.richard-tetrault.ca/works-murals/collaborations

I have designed my FLS around this idea of the students all coming together as A CoP which I have labelled “Australia Connects Syria” or ACS

I have thought long and hard about the smoothest scenario for Syrian students to transition from a war torn refugee camp to Australia. My personal belief is that moving to any country would be a huge culture shock let alone them already being subjected to the longest Liminal space one could ever possibly imagine …what the people want is to continue to preserve their past heritage and culture. We cannot bring their homes to them but we as as teachers can help students “feel “they are home by simulating practices that they are familiar with…

Please click and share on this link below for ideas on how you can welcome and help educate the Syrian students to Australia…

http://www.pearltrees.com/daniellegolle

Posted in Community of Practice, Future Learning Space, Refugees coming to Australia, Syrian Refugee Crisis, The Learning Space | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What bodes for the future of 21st century refugees to Australia and what might their impact on the world be? ..…

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Danielle Golle

Students attending ‘ACS’ would receive all the benefits of the educational outcomes already offered to students under the National Educational Curriculum  in Australia. But the real provision the Syrian refugee children will receive is the promise that the education programs offered will continue to develop and recognise academic achievement through successfully implementing culturally rich programs such as the ones provided through ‘ACS. The Syrian families of the students will be able to feel confident knowing that there is hope in the future for their children and that their educational goals of attending university or finding future employment will become a reality.

multicultural-child-illustration

Picture Reference: TimeRime (2015) multicultural-child-illustration.jpg. Retreived from http://timerime.com/en/timeline/1245678/Multicultural+Education/

This program would hopefully bring to others’ attention and impact schools not only nationwide but worldwide, in hope to unite all teachers to join together to offer a successful educational program such as ‘ACS’ to be implemented for the Syrian refugees all over the world…

Posted in Community of Practice, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Future Learning Space, Refugees coming to Australia, Syrian Refugee Crisis, The Learning Space | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Education Capital of the inhabiting refugees to Australia…how this will inform the development of ‘ACS’- My FLS

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Danielle Golle
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Picture Reference: Cullbertson,S (2015),1422890974483.jpg. Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/blog/2015/01/syrias-simmering-crisis.html

‘ACS’ recognises the words below written by Culbertson et al. in the hope that all teachers will acknowledge that the Syrian students in Australia will bring with them an education capital of literacy and numeracy experience and a strong desire to learn. They are part of a generation brimming with potential and ‘ACS’’s role would be to take responsibility to highlight these strengths and provide the educational pathways to ensure that their aspirations are channeled and communicated to all schools nation wide….

“Standing in a classroom of Syrian refugee teenagers in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp, we posed a question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Hands around the room shot up. “I want to be an engineer so I can rebuild Syria,” said one girl. “I want to be a lawyer so I can fight for my country,” said another. Teacher, football coach, archaeologist, carpenter and musician were some of the other aspirations offered by girls and boys. Their answers revealed courage, creativity and determination.” Culbertson, Ling, Henham & Corbett (2015).

Culbertson et al. (2015) go further to say;

“ We must not allow the plight or the potential of these young refugees to be overlooked. What might happen to children who grow up realizing that their dreams, of becoming doctors and lawyers, mechanics and carpenters, have been placed beyond their reach? What kind of long-lasting impact will this frustration and wasted potential have on the families, communities and the countries that they live in? The international community must shoulder responsibility for confronting these difficult questions and provide for refugee education to avoid turning the displaced youth of Syria into a “lost generation.”

Culbertson, Ling, Henham & Corbett (2015).

Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/blog/2015/07/help-syria-avoid-a-lost-generation.html

Posted in Community of Practice, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Future Learning Space, Refugees coming to Australia, Syrian Refugee Crisis, The Learning Space | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Breaking down the Liminal …A Tree Planting Open Day for the Syrian Students… Planting a Future Learning Space

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Danielle Golle

Moving to an unknown county is an extreme liminal experience as it would be a huge culture shock for the families from Syria. They have previously been subjected to years of  struggling to survive in refugee camps – an unimaginable space for most of us and yet it is a place the refugees are most familiar with – their Liminal space. What the Syrian people would want along with living in safety and harmony with future job opportunities is to continue to preserve their past heritage and culture. We cannot bring their homes to them but we as teachers can help students “feel “they are home by simulating practices that they are familiar with.

A tree planting day  is an example of how we can break down the liminal…

The tree planting idea is a platform to work with. Hopefully exposing this idea to others will eventually be put into practice for many schools across the country. One idea that comes to mind is to coordinate as part of an “open day” for ACS a tree planting activity. I want to also add the element of joy rather than focussing on what they don’t have…

The tree is a symbol for ACS representing a new beginning and is a symbol of  hope for future generations in growth of learning – A Future Learning Space!

It also represents their country of origin, as the plant itself would be specific to the geographic region from refugees homeland (eg of a particular species of flora that grows in Syria could be the Pinus brutia). Aesthetic beauty will be created to the natural surrounds,  bringing the familiar to the unfamiliar. Breaking down the barriers of the Liminal space and providing a feeling of “home” to the Syrian families young and old.

Posted in Community of Practice, Future Learning Space, Refugees coming to Australia, Syrian Refugee Crisis, The Learning Space | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

My Future Learning Space design for Syrian refugee students arriving to Australia…

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Danielle Golle

I have thought long and hard about the smoothest scenario for Syrian students to transition from a war torn refugee camp to Australia. My personal belief is that moving to any country would be a huge culture shock let alone them already being subjected to the longest Liminal space one could ever possibly imagine …what the people want is to continue to preserve their past heritage and culture. We cannot bring their homes to them but we as teachers can help students “feel” they are home by simulating practices that they are familiar with…

I have designed my FLS around this idea of the students all coming together as A CoP which I have labelled “Australia Connects Syria or (ACS)”

Below is  sneak peek of what is yet to come ahead in my future learning space…stay tuned…

The Mission for: ACS

multicultural-australia-stqh1v

Picture Reference: Moore, C (2014) multicultural-australia-stqh1v.jpg. Retrieved from http://italianoht.global2.vic.edu.au/celebrating-harmony-day-and-multiculturalism-at-holy-trinity/

“Australia Connects Syria” (ACS) mission is to provide a safe and peaceful learning community with a curricular focus on the concept of building on the strength and connection of cultures between Syrian refugees and Australian students. This Community of Practice (CoP) is achieved through powerful enrichment programs that promote participation, collaboration and communication amongst ALL students and teachers. The vision is to create an educational environment that harmoniously yet delicately balances with the daily psychological, physical and social needs and requirements with all respect for our welcomed Syrian students.

The gift of education to the Syrian students is a true celebration of their culture by enriching and preserving the past by providing a strong Arts Curriculum and to continue to strengthen the personal development and well being of each student. In the long term, “Australia Connects Syria “brings hope for the future in Education in Australia.

Posted in Collaborative learning, Community of Practice, Contemporary Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Future Learning Space, Refugees coming to Australia, Syrian Refugee Crisis, The Learning Space | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Letting kids be the ones in charge…

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Danielle Golle
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Picture reference: Biro,P (2015) Duhok-Domiz 161.JPG. Retrieved from http://www.rescue.org/news/photo-essays/disaster-uprooted-syrians

Viewing Clouds over Sidra and other U- Tube videos showing real coverage of the daily life in the Zatari refugee camp has had a huge emotional impact and left me with a feeling of deep sorrow, empathy, confusion, lack of appreciation, helplessness and passion …all these feelings are captured when we see the hardships of what these traumatised people have to experience day in and day out.

In Clouds over Sidra , the little girl spoke a phrase that I thought was very wise beyond her years and yet is probably very true… “Sometimes I think us kids are the ones in charge”… how impacting! This could be interpreted many ways but I’m only guessing it is because her understanding is that because of ‘the adults’, there is war and if it was the children to make the important decisions our world would be a happier place. Children are simple, innocent and peaceful thinkers…just like Sidra and she also understands forgiveness and patience. What a great leader she could become if she is only given the chance to live the life that we call ‘normal’.

These children own very little and do not ask for much. What we have to offer plenty- we can show them we care by connecting and responding to the refugees. We need to communicate and talk to them. (Still not sure how and through which channels to do this?)

Although we will never experience first hand the pain and suffering they endure each day, we could unlock education in this liminal space with the help of technology. Communicating through ipads, and iphones would help them to be in touch with others…more importantly in touch with other children from around the world that want to help and support the refugees.

For Sidra and alike all refugee children alongside her have a dream to someday be treated as ‘normal’ where they are able to live in their homeland under permanent shelter that they can call home and be given the opportunity to learn.

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Teachers without Borders

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Danielle Golle

Teachers without Borders primary focus is to ensure all children worldwide have access to quality free public education and to connect teachers around the globe and to offer help and support to countries particularly affected by war and poverty.

What I found most interesting is that according to the mission, “Teachers are the largest professionally trained group in the world- the key local catalysts of change and hope”. It is the Cof P of teachers who all share a common goal – a collaboration of teachers working together, networking together to share thoughts and ideas, their success stories, offer educational support and opportunities to provide a brighter future for children worldwide.

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Picture reference: Ozler, L. (2012), 25757.jpg. Retrieved from http://www.dexigner.com/news/25757

Posted in Calais, Collaborative learning, Community of Practice, Refugees coming to Australia, Syrian Refugee Crisis, The Learning Space, Zaatari | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Welcoming Refugees to Australia…

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Danielle Golle
iStock_000062989617_syrian-refugee-649x337

Picture Reference: Starts at 60 Current Affairs (2015), iStock_000062989617_syrian-refugee-649×337.jpg. Retrieved from http://www.startsatsixty.com.au/current-affairs/first-wave-of-refugees-will-do-not-harm

The decision by the Australian government to accept 12,000 refugees who have been forced to abandon their homelands due to conflict and war in Syria and Iraq to live in Australia is going to be a win -win situation for all involved.

Ms Goodrich who is one of the first families in Australia who chose to offer space in their family home to Syrian refugees as she believed “there would be benefits to introducing her children to another culture and that it would be useful and a learning experience for them to see how other children play and learn” (ABC News 22nd Sep 2015).

I would have to totally agree that one to one interactions between children stems their innocent nature of curiosity and wonder. Having an opportunity to share two cultures together sharing simultaneous experiences and living and growing together would be a life long journey. From an educational perspective, these learning situations would be such a positive impact and would definitely be a lasting memory that would be cherished for both the Australian and Syrian people for a whole lifetime.

Actually, (along with the Syrian people), all Australian people young and old would also benefit with this living arrangement, however there would be a slow transition from the liminal space of the unknown from both cultures. Australian’s could be asking questions to themselves such as, “What are they going to be like?” ,Who will we be staying with us? Will they understand us?” and “How can they fit in with our personal day to day lives?”.

Time will hopefully heal the pain previously encountered by the refugees and with support networks in place for both Australian family hosts and the refugees, the transition from a Liminal space to a comfortable place will hopefully be smooth with minimal disruptions or any major racial concerns.

This opportiunity for Austalian host families would not only provide the opportunity to experience the true joy of giving to a family in need but will also create personal growth – not to mention gratitude in knowing how lucky we are to be living in Australia- “The lucky Country”.

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Calais… is there any Hope?

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Danielle Golle

Syrian refugees in Calais in Northern France are desperate to reach the UK understanding they are able to receive better entitlements and stronger government financial support. Photos and messages shown from news footage such as BBC depict a crisis of extreme magnitude where the people are very traumatised and frustrated wanting to escape this ‘no man’s land’. They are placed in a situation where all possibilities are exhausted and their liminal space is an endless place where the question of “Is their Hope?” must be a message running through their minds by the hour.

The people are willing to risk their lives to enter new land in exchange for freedom and a safer place to live. For families with children living in this extreme environment all they would be wanting as we speak is answers, a place to seek comfort and reassurance. Education for these people would not be an issue of importance as the primary focus is on safety and survival as this would be all that initially matters.

However during this transitional “waiting” space – using people power and a C of P of courageous people joining together where they can share uplifting thoughts and new possibilities would itself be an education. Making new and brave decisions and finding more positive outcomes would be the most valuable of all life’s lessons learnt . For example- looking at what France can offer in the short-term?

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