Principles

 Schools of Sanctuary is not a project, nor a short term school initiave. It is a culture that schools achieve over time to ensure everyone feels welcomed, safe, and included in the school and beyond. 

It begins with 3 core principles:

Principle 1: LEARN

Schools start by learning about refugees and eharing their stories, why people are forced to flee their countries, and the issues and challenges people are facing in Ireland. Also, we learn about the cultures, traditions, food and languages of people who have come to our community.

Principle 2: TAKE ACTION

Now that schools have developed an understanding of the refugees and asylum process in Ireland, we can make an action plan of ways we can support refugees locally and nationally. Here are some good examples of what Schools of Sanctuary do:

• Invite newcomers to share their culture and stories in diversity celebrations
• Prioritise English language and other supporst for newcomer students
• Invite Sanctuary Ambassadors to describe their experience of Direct Provision and arriving in Ireland
• Create 'Welcome Packs' in different languages for parents.

Principle 3: SHARE

• Schools reach out to other schools in their area to encourage them, and to share good practice, successes and stories
• They share their SoS journey on their website and social media platforms
• Some schools contact media outlets and produce video and audio campaigns around Schools of Sanctuary

Want to know more? Check out the Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack