Welcoming Afghan Refugees to Bannockburn High School
In February 2024 there was an air of anxiety and unknowing filtering the halls at Bannockburn High School as the staff prepared for the intake of 10 new pupils. The new pupils would arrive at Bannockburn High School fleeing conflict as refugees with their families, following nearly a 4000-mile journey from their home in Afghanistan. To prepare for their arrival, donations of school uniform, lunch bags, rucksacks, toiletries and warm clothing (this came in handy!) were collected from staff and pupils. The staff at Bannockburn High and new pupils knew that the biggest challenge that they would face would be the language barrier. Dari is their first language, and with only one pupil able to speak English fluently, this meant that the new pupils would require translators with them for their first three weeks in the school. In these three weeks the pupils would be in school every morning and would be able to get used to their new school, and meet pupils and teachers.
Elaine Del Valle, a maths teacher and the teacher conducting the enrolment of the pupils contacted the Active Travel Hub to provide 3 sessions over three weeks as the pupils began their transition into their new learning environment. Angharad, the Project Officer based at the Active Travel Hub, organised three sessions with Elaine that would provide the pupils with opportunities to explore their new local area through Active Travel and other project activities with additional staff from FEL Scotland.
The first session the pupils set off on a walk around Bannockburn and were given photo bingo cards of things that they would see on the walk to try to complete. This activity during the walk was a great success and the pupils really showed their competitive side trying to tick off all of the photos as they went. This activity was also utilised as way to communicate with the pupils, as they were happy to ask when they would see something on the sheet. The walk itself ended in smiles and thanks, despite muddy shoes and only a small amount of typical teenager moaning wondering when we would be arriving back at school.
The second session unfortunately due to February Scottish weather wasn’t able to go ahead as planned. Facing horizontal rain and strong gusts the pupils instead were set other tasks in school which Angharad lent a hand with. Whilst the junior pupils completed maths and English assessments, Angharad joined the senior pupils in setting up their new prayer room. This involved covering the windows in the room to create a private space for the pupils and allowing them to feel comfortable in the space and make it their own. With a small amount of time left, the pupils decided they wanted to show off their chess skills by beating Angharad, which was very embarrassing but otherwise hilarious to the pupils.
The third and final session was intended to be an outdoor pizza oven and smoothie bike session with Sarah, a member of the Food Team at FEL Scotland. However, once again the Scottish weather got the better of the session. Due to freezing temperatures and strong winds, and despite the best efforts of the FEL staff the pizza ovens could not get hot enough to cook a pizza. So, after a couple of attempts the pizzas were off the menu and a smoothie and walk was on the cards. Going a different route from their first walk allowed the pupils to see a different part of their new town and explore the Bluebell Woods that sit just off the school grounds.
The pupils are now settled into the school and are in full curriculum education, and although they do not take part in any of the activities currently provided by the Active Travel Hub, they often pop by and say hello to Angharad at pop-ups or at her desk in the Pupil Support centre.
