School's In for Refugees

07/12/2025

We invite you to join our next meeting of the Victorian Refugee Education and Empowerment Network (REEN) in Term 1, 2026. This will be held online on Thursday 12th February from 9-11am. You can read more details of the agendas and register at: https://events.humanitix.com/victorian-refugee-education-and-empowerment-network-reen-term-1-meeting

We are looking forward to reconnecting in February and continuing our collective work to empower young people and communities from refugee backgrounds.

Term 1 network meeting for Victorian schools, services and communities who are empowering young people from refugee backgrounds through education.

24/11/2025

School's In for Refugees 2026 free PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CALENDAR is out now for schools!

To view the calendar and to book, visit our Education Calendar on our website https://news.foundationhouse.org.au/t/j-i-ydxdriy-l-h/

If you would like to speak to our team about hosting a workshop for the staff at your school you can use our enquiry form and view the suite of workshop options here https://news.foundationhouse.org.au/t/j-i-ydxdriy-l-k/

Our team are also here to provide consultation regarding students and families in your school community who are from refugee or asylum seeking backgrounds. To get in touch email us at [email protected]

10/11/2025

09/11/2025

Students and families in your school communities may benefit from SSI’s (SSI - Settlement Services International) Allianz Refugee Education Scholarship Program.

Applications are now open and will close on November 14th, 2025. We encourage you to consider how you can let students know about the opportunity and support them to apply. The scholarships provide funding to support students pursue their academic goals. There are categories for secondary school, university, vocational education, and skills/qualification recognition.

You can find all the details here: https://www.ssi.org.au/our-services/education-training/allianz-scholarship-program/

27/10/2025

Did you miss the launch of our Victorian Refugee Education and Empowerment Network? You can catch up by watching the recording below.

We were very proud to start the network with our friends from River Nile School and Refugee Education Australia. Thank you to the inspiring panel of students who shared about their learning journeys and hopes for the education system. It has given us lots to think about as we plan how we can contribute to shaping a system that supports students from refugee backgrounds to thrive at school and beyond.

You can watch the recording of our first meeting here: https://sifr.foundationhouse.org.au/news-and-events/launch-of-the-refugee-education-empowerment-network/

Our Term 1, 2026 meeting is scheduled for Thursday 12th February. We will share details for registration soon.

Yesterday marked the launch of our newest education network - R.E.E.N (Refugee Education and Empowerment Network).

The network brings together educators, services, and student voices to strengthen refugee education and empowerment.

A big shoutout to our AMAZING girls - Jess, Madina, Khadija, and Yusra who spoke so powerfully. 🩷

13/10/2025

The Victorian Refugee Health Network has partnered with Foundation House, Mind Australia, Wellways, Neami National and cohealth to produce a set of multilingual videos to promote the Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are a free mental health service for people aged 26 years and over.

These videos provide clear information about what the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are, how to access them, and their key features.

Find your nearest Mental Health and Wellbeing Local at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mhwlocal

The videos are available in twelve languages including Arabic, Assyrian, Burmese, Dari, Dinka, English, Hakha Chin, Karen, Rohingya, Swahili, Tamil and Urdu and can be accessed via The Victorian Refugee Health website https://refugeehealthnetwork.org.au/project/mental-health-and-wellbeing-locals-promotional-videos/ or YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are a free service for people aged 26 and over. They provide treatment, care and support for your mental health and wellbeing close to home.

16/09/2025

We invite you to join us for the first meeting of our Victorian Refugee Education and Empowerment Network. In partnership with River Nile School and Refugee Education Australia, we are excited to launch the network online on Thursday 23rd October from 9-11am.

You can register at https://events.humanitix.com/launch-of-the-victorian-refugee-education-and-empowerment-network

11/09/2025

Today is R U OK? Day, a timely reminder that a simple conversation can make a big difference. It's an opportunity for us to check in with one another not just today, but regularly and create a culture where it's OK to ask for help and to talk about how we are really feeling.

Useful resources can be found here: https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

02/09/2025

On Wednesday, 3 September 2025, we come together across Australia to celebrate Early Childhood Educators’ Day
This year’s theme, “Together We All Shine”, beautifully captures the power of collective dedication—where every educator, family, and child contributes to brighter futures through shared care, collaboration, and compassion.

From the Early Years Team at Foundation House, we extend our deepest gratitude to each Early Childhood Educator who brings warmth, insight, and unwavering commitment to their work—particularly in creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for families from refugee backgrounds. Your daily efforts go beyond teaching; you offer belonging, hope, and connection.

To our educators:

🧑‍🏫 Thank you for showing up every day with open hearts and culturally responsive understanding.
🧑‍🏫 Thank you for being compassionate guides, advocates, and champions of inclusion.
🧑‍🏫 Thank you for embracing the richness of diversity and weaving it into your teaching.

Today, we celebrate you—our dedicated educators—who truly shine together with families and children to build brighter beginnings.

Happy Early Childhood Educators’ Day!

29/08/2025

Today is 'Wear it Purple Day' where Schools, Universities, Community Orgs and Workplaces are encouraged to wear Purple to demonstrate to rainbow young people that they are celebrated and respected, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming.

What can schools do today?

Encourage colleagues to read and share this guide in 'creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ Youth at home and at school:https://www.wearitpurple.org/s/ProudParent.pdf and consider how these recommendations are reflected in your space. 💜🌈💜🌈

04/08/2025

🥸We’re excited to offer a half day workshop "Provision and Support for Newly Arrived Students in Mainstream Schools" for school staff to equip teachers and other staff in mainstream schools with knowledge, skills, and tools to support newly arrived students and families from refugee backgrounds who have not attended English Language School prior to enrolment.

Participants will:
✅Explore common elements of refugee experiences, using both the Foundation House Trauma Recovery Framework and Three Lenses
✅Use a case study to unpack the specific wellbeing needs of newly arrived students and families of refugee backgrounds
✅Consider the language demands on newly arrived students with little English and how to support these students in a mainstream classroom
✅Connect with relevant Department of Education staff who can offer support to schools with newly arrived students from refugee backgrounds and their families

This workshop is suitable for all school staff and is free for all Victorian schools.

📅Workshop details:
Date: Wednesday 20th August
Time: 9:30-1pm
Place: Foundation House Dandenong: 155a Foster Street, Dandenong

Places are strictly limited – register here

31/07/2025

🔜Reminder, our Train the Trainer - Year 7 Transitions Workshops are coming up in September, so book your spot!

Back by popular demand, the program has been running since 2022 and has been well received by schools across Victoria. Places are strictly limited – register now at: https://foundationhouse.org.au/event-template/?eventtemplate=318-refugee-education-support-program-train-the-trainer-year-7-transition-workshop&event=1343

This workshop is suitable for all staff supporting Year 7 students, including teachers, school leaders, wellbeing teams and education support staff.

The workshop dates are:

9.30am-12.30pm, Thursday 4th September – Foundation House, Dandenong Office
9.30am-12.30pm, Thursday 11th September – Foundation House, Brunswick Office