Students united by understanding

What do a group of students from as far away as Tibet or Armenia have in common with a group of Australian country kids?            

They are all teenagers ready to develop friendships, challenge stereotypes and embrace difference.            

One little visit five years ago by a Sierra Leone youth group to Wollumbin High School to kick a football around for a couple of hours has blossomed into a successful cultural exchange program run between Chatswood and Beverly Hills intensive English centres (IEC) in Sydney and the Murwillumbah-based high school.            

The program began to crystallise in 2006 when North Coast region community information officer Anne Bowden arranged for the Beverly Hills IEC students to visit Wollumbin High for a day as part of a tour to the Tweed area. The students took part in Cooling Conflicts, a program that addresses issues such as difference and racism through drama. An assembly was also held where the Wollumbin High students introduced their buddy from the IEC to demonstrate the meaningful exchanges that were made during the visit.             

In 2007 Year 10 and 11 students from Wollumbin High were invited to present at a multicultural conference in Sydney. They spent a day at Beverly Hills IEC immersed in exotic cultures from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Armenia and Egypt.             

Around this time students from Chatswood IEC also began to take part in the program, which introduced cultures from countries such as Tibet, Thailand, Japan, Korea and China.            

However, the question still remained of how to build a solid program based on the strong foundation of understanding that was developing between the schools. Again, Anne Bowden led the way.            

Mrs Bowden was successful in a submission to The Myer Foundation to transport 16 students and their teachers from the IECs to the Tweed area with Wollumbin High School families hosting the students for a week.            

The students visited Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Crabbes Creek Public School, the Bowdens’ farm and joined their host families in everyday activities.             

The IEC students answered questions, made sushi, joined together to form a giant musical band and gave two memorable performances – including a rendition of Ben E. King’s Stand by Me – in Murwillumbah’s main street and at the school.             

At the final assembly Wollumbin High students introduced their buddy and shared some of their stories. The IEC students spoke about their experiences, which was an amazing feat because of their limited English skills.             

When the students left there were tears; such was the bond that had been forged between students and their host families.             

Chatswood High IEC deputy principal Julie Ross says one of her students returned to Sydney feeling proud of her cultural heritage.            

“She wrote that prior to the trip she felt embarrassed because she was Armenian,” Ms Ross says. “The people in Murwillumbah were interested in her culture and country and taught her to be proud of who she is.”            

Beverly Hills IEC deputy principal Michael Harmey says the strength of the friendships formed was extraordinary.             

One family had negotiated to fly their billet, a Sudanese student, to the north coast for a visit during the recent holidays.            

“Another family wants to establish an education fund to put money in to cover any school expenses [their billet] might have when he enters mainstream school,” he says.            

The visit provided the opportunity to remove social isolation, challenge beliefs, build tolerance and understand the way conflict can arise through prejudice.            

It was also an opportunity for teenagers from really different backgrounds to just hang out together in a safe and supportive environment.        

Karen Connell is the principal at Wollumbin High School.