At Bremore Educate Together SS, we believe in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all our students, staff, and the wider community. Our journey to becoming a School of Sanctuary is one of dedication, reflection, and a shared commitment to providing a safe space for everyone, regardless of their background, culture, or circumstances

What is a School of Sanctuary?

A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to creating a culture of welcome for people seeking refuge and safety. It involves embedding the values of respect, kindness, and understanding into all aspects of school life, ensuring that those who have experienced trauma, displacement, or hardship feel safe, supported, and valued.

Our journey to becoming a School of Sanctuary is built on these principles, and we strive to live out these values daily, in everything from our classroom activities to our school policies and wider community engagement.

The Path to Becoming a School of Sanctuary

Our School of Sanctuary journey began with a shared vision among staff, students, and families to ensure that everyone—no matter their background or experiences—feels respected and supported. As a school, we recognized the importance of promoting the values of empathy, equality, and inclusion. This led us to explore the School of Sanctuary initiative, which supports schools in becoming places of welcome for people seeking asylum or refuge.

We started by engaging with resources and training provided by the Schools of Sanctuary program, which helped us better understand the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the ways in which we could offer practical support. Our staff worked closely with external organizations and local community groups to deepen our knowledge and strengthen our commitment.

Key Steps in Our Journey

1. Staff Training and Awareness

   We began by ensuring that all our staff received training in understanding the issues faced by refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable groups. This training emphasized how to create safe spaces, foster understanding, and provide emotional support for those who may have experienced trauma.

2. Curriculum Integration

   We integrated themes of diversity, inclusion, and global citizenship into our curriculum. Through history, geography, PSHE, and art, students learned about different cultures, the refugee experience, and the importance of empathy and solidarity.

3. Celebrating Diversity

   We made efforts to celebrate and recognize the diverse backgrounds of our students, staff, and families. Events such as cultural days, storytelling sessions, and collaborative art projects helped raise awareness of the importance of inclusivity and respect for everyone, regardless of their origin.

4. Creating Safe Spaces

   We ensured that our school became a safe and nurturing space for all students. We established peer support systems and appointed members of staff who are specifically trained to provide support to students who may be feeling isolated or vulnerable.

5. Engaging with the Community

   Our journey to becoming a School of Sanctuary also involved extending our reach to the local community. We connected with local organizations that support refugees and asylum seekers, and we collaborated on projects that could make a tangible difference to those in need.

You can follow our progress here: https://padlet.com/amooney40/school-of-sanctuary-bremore-etss-qihzvm10gp5hmy8n

What Becoming a School of Sanctuary Means for Us

Becoming a School of Sanctuary is not just a title—it's a continuous journey of learning, growing, and reflecting on how we can better support all members of our school community. It is a commitment to ensuring that every person, regardless of their background, feels heard, valued, and respected.

As we continue this journey, we aim to be a place where all students can thrive and feel safe, a place where differences are celebrated, and where the values of welcome and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.

Looking Ahead

Our work as a School of Sanctuary is ongoing. We are committed to regularly reviewing our practices, engaging with our community, and ensuring that our school continues to be a place where everyone can feel part of a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment.

Together, we can make a positive difference—building a school culture where sanctuary is not just an idea, but a lived reality for everyone.

We meet every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:40 in the interlinking labs. At the moment, we are creating scripts for Intercultural Day, focusing on themes based on ethical education principles.

Jenna Dempsey and Iris Garcia-Murillo designed, scripted, and filmed an outstanding video (link to be included), demonstrating impressive dedication and creativity. Their hard work, including mastering challenging pronunciation, truly deserved this recognition. They even used their free time to bring the project to life!

A special thank you as well to Alessia Tabara, who contributed to the production but was unable to officially participate due to the competition's two-student entry rule.

Congratulations to Jenna, Iris, (and Alessia) for their fantastic achievement! 

https://youtu.be/b0z_CfEhTdw

https://www.bremoreetss.ie/Content/2025/8/yu97-Bi_Cinealta_AntiBullying_Policy.pdf