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UNITY

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creating and strengthening networks. For the brothers, the support from the Melaleuca
Refugee Centre and St. John's has been vital in
CEO of Melaleuca Refugee Centre, Kwame Selormey making the transition to life in Darwin a success.
also joined the St. John's Catholic College Advisory Since commencing at the college in 2018, they have
Board to further support the college and provide completed the intensive English program and are
representation of refugee families. now in Year 12 working towards the NTCET.
Supporting students to succeed 'We are very proud of Chol, Wal and all the students
who have joined the college as part of the partnership.
To date, the program has supported the transition of We as a community have been enriched by the
20 students and cotinues to grow. 'It is hoped that contributions of the students and their families,'
over the next few years the program will continue to Hughes says.
grow to support over 50 students,' Hughes says.
Evaluating the impact
The students from this program have achieved great
success, and have taken on leadership positions in Hughes says the school leadership team evaluates
the school, Hughes says. The 2019 college captain the impact of the partnership in several ways,
and 2020 captain and vice-captain have all been including through monitoring student enrolments,
through the program. student attendance and academic progress.

'Students are tracking very well through the academic 'The refugee students contribute a signficant amount
programs on offer at the college, with senior students to the college. All students are highly engaged in their
working towards the Northern Territory Certificate of learning and the co-curricular programs. Students
Education and Training (NTCET),' he says. are excellent role models - valuing education,
excellent attendance, behaviour and work ethic.'
Hughes adds there is a high level of integration of
refugee students and their families into the school In 2020, Hughes has plans for the partnership to
community - through academic, sports, cultural and grow further and hopes to engage more parents and
religious programs. families. He also plans to apply for grant funding or
further support to develop and enhance the program.
He shares the story of two students in particular, Chol
and Wal Akol Jok, who fled South Sudan with their
family and found themselves migrating to Darwin in
2018 as part of the Australian Government's Refugee Author: Rebecca Vukovic (//authors/rebecca-vukovic)
and Humanitarian program.

This article first appeared in Teacher, published by ACER.
Reproduced with kind permission.
Visit www.teachermagazine.com.au for more

Wal Akol Jok delivering a speech to the College Community
at the 2019 Awards Evening

Emu chicks learning to cross the road!