Students at Sacred Heart College, Napier, dressed in cultural clothing for a mufti day fundraiser, and held a multi-language service for World Refugee Awareness Day. 20 June 2018 NEWS Hawke's Bay Today Photograph by Duncan Brown.
A prayer spoken in different languages sounded around the hall, as students cloaked in traditional garments and blue and white gathered to recognise World Refugee Day.
The day, dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world, resonated with the Year 10 religious studies class at SacredHeart College.
Students said a prayer in different languages to recognise World Refugee Day. Photo / Duncan Brown
Year 10 student Dane Aguinot wore a malong, a traditional "tube skirt", and said as a Catholic school they wanted to help those who are less fortunate.
Dane Aguinot, Sacred Heart College student dressed in Filipino cultural clothing. Photo / Duncan Brown
"We want to make a difference in the lives of others and something as simple as a gold coin donation can go a long way."
Teacher Marysia Airey spoke of her father, who on November 1, 1944, sailed into Wellington Harbour.
He was part of the more than 700 Polish refugee children and their families accepted into the country.
Marysia Airey, a teacher at Sacred Heart College, spoke of her father who was a refugee from Poland. Photo / Duncan Brown
She read an excerpt of a letter he wrote recounting his experience.
"We heard rumours that a small country at the bottom of the world was going to be our new home. We had two picture books of kiwis, sheep, grassy hills and Māori legends that we shared between us - 700 of us. We were scared.
"I stood on the deck of the ship, holding my brother's hand and looking out at our new home - a home without parents, family, my language or my customs. This strange country had offered us a place to live but would it turn out to be our home?"
He died in 2011.
Principal Maria Neville-Foster said she was "really proud" of the students putting into action what they had learned in class.
"It is important that they learn to be leaders of service and this is a great example of them growing their leadership."
The funds raised from the event will be donated to Caritas - the Catholic Agency for Justice, Peace and Development.
