Northland school opens doors to refugees

Year 12 and 13 students of Pompallier Catholic College with their principal, from left, Sarah Atkinson (left), Richard Stanton, Dominique Carrick, Iri Edwards, Emma Turner and Daniela Powell inside one of the rooms in Marist House. Photo / John Stone

A Northland school is opening its doors to Syrian refugees and is calling on the Government to do its bit by increasing the refugee quota.

Senior students at Pompallier Catholic College in Whangarei have asked their principal Richard Stanton and the board of trustees to allow the on-site Marist House to be utilised by newly-arrived refugees if some ended up in Northland.

The double-storey building has 12 rooms and it used to be the school priest's residence until about 10 years ago and is now used by students from throughout Northland for meetings, kapa haka practice, and sleepovers.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse yesterday announced New Zealand would welcome 750 Syrian refugees over the next two and a half years at an estimated cost of $48.8 million. Of the 750 places, 600 will be by way of a special emergency intake above New Zealand's annual refugee quota of 750, and 150 places will be offered within the quota. There are currently no Syrian families in Northland.

Pompallier Catholic College Year 12 student Iri Edwards and Sarah Atkinson of Year 13 are spearheading the push to accommodate refugees on site since joining the school's Social Justice Committee last year.

"We need to start thinking globally and projects like this puts political pressure on the Government to act and to act faster," they said.

"It's such a big, complex crisis that it's easy to overlook but it's made so many people passionate about it. We as students feel we have to do things that the Government should be doing."

They called on those following the international humanitarian crisis not to paint a negative picture of the refugees.

"Some people think the refugees cannot assimilate in our culture, that they'll take our jobs but all they want to do is to live peacefully ..."

Both said a war-torn country such as Lebanon with roughly the same population as New Zealand welcomed about 1 million Syrian refugees so it made sense for Kiwis to raise the quota.

Mr Stanton said it was a great opportunity for his school. "We have facilities and network even for two or three families. It means we'll practise what we're preaching," Mr Stanton said. "With a school-type environment, there'll be a lot going for them in terms of their children connecting with students here and resources they can readily use."

The school board was to meet last night to discuss routine matters and Mr Stanton said it would be an ideal opportunity for Sarah and Iri to present their proposal.

Abdul Arwani of the Syrian Solidarity NZ said the school's offer was fantastic.

"We're very grateful for the offer," Mr Arwani said.