♥ School of Sanctuary ♥

What is a School of Sanctuary?

At St Martin de Porres School, we welcome people from any background into our already diverse community. We are proud to have received the School of Sanctuary award in June 2023.

A School of Sanctuary:

Is a place of welcome for all.
Educates about why people are forcibly displaced.
Recognises that the UK is enriched by new arrivals.
Supports pupils from all backgrounds to feel seen, supported and included.

We feel that the values that are promoted through the Schools of Sanctuary and City of Sanctuary are very much in line with our own Gospel Virtues and Catholic Social Teachings.

Work so far...

School of Sanctuary Award Assembly - July 2023

It was wonderful to gather together to accept our School of Sanctuary award. I was really lovely to be recognised for the loving, caring community of St Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School as a place where we know that ALL are welcome!

School of Sanctuary Award Ceremony

We were delighted to accept our award to become a School of Sanctuary.

Visit from 'Stories of Hope & Home' - July 2023

Stories from Hope & Home are a story-telling project offering Asylum Seekers and Refugees a space to share their stories and others a space to hear them. The children were astonished by their stories and felt real empathy for some of the things they heard.

Stories of Hope & Home

We were visited by 'Stories of Hope & Home' a story-telling project offering Asylum Seekers and Refugees a space to share their stories and others a space to hear them. The aim is to empower those who have been forced to flee and seek refuge to recognise the value of the stories of their humanity, and to create spaces of powerful personal encounter in order to challenge and change perceptions around these issues.

Refugee Week - June 2023

Children read a variety of books, listened to famous authors and engaged in several activities aimed at having compassion for those fleeing their homes. We were extremely lucky and honoured to have Mrs Braggs with us to talk with all the children about her personal experience of fleeing Uganda with her family and what that was like.

Refugee Week 2023

World Book Day - March 2023

World Book Day this year was themed around teaching the children about refugees and their unique journeys. The books chosen not only raised awareness, but provided inspiration around themes of hope, determination & courage.

World Book Day 2023

Christmas Appeal - December 2022

The children and community collected money and went shopping for Christmas presents for refugees new to the country.

Cards for Newly Arrived Refugees - November 2022

The children made cards to welcome refugees from Manston when they arrived in Birmingham.

Christmas Cards for Refugees

The children made cards to welcome refugees from Manston now arrived in Birmingham.

Refugee Week - June 2022

We led an 'in school pilgrimage' showing that we care - that we are walking alongside refugees.

Refugee Week 2022

Sunflowers for Ukraine - April 2022

To show our support and compassion for the people of Ukraine, our children created beautiful sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, and displayed them around our school and in our local village.

Sunflowers for Ukraine

Ukraine Foodbank - March 2022

A large amount of donations from our school community to support Ukraine from families taken to Moseley Hive to be sent to those in need.