Highlight of the Week

First UK Independent School of Sanctuary

We have been working towards becoming a School of Sanctuary for two years and we were delighted to have received the accreditation in July 2022, making us the first Independent School in the UK to join a national network of schools committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for refugees and those seeking asylum.

As we worked towards this award, we participated in and led projects that support and create awareness about local and global issues. As a school, we are continuing to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in Wales, particularly within the Llandaff Diocese.

First UK Independent School of Sanctuary Over the past few years, we have embedded routines, teachings and values which reflect the environment we would like to create to ensure our pupils feel welcome and safe. In July 2021, we celebrated our first Refugee Week, based on the theme We Cannot Walk Alone. During this week, Nursery to Year 6 were introduced to who refugees and asylum seekers are through thought-provoking and wonderfully illustrated stories. This year’s Refugee Week in July 2022 was based on the theme of Healing, and we learnt about how to make ourselves and others feel better through exciting activities inspired by more beautiful books. We have also delivered projects during Advent, Lent and Easter, which introduce children to new concepts, considering topics from Ukraine to the environment, including the Taith Adfent Project, of which we were a case study school for Wales and now continue to deliver each year.

As part of embedding the Schools of Sanctuary ethos, we will be completing monthly projects across the whole school. September has been a month of celebration to acknowledge receiving the Schools of Sanctuary Award, with our #CSLSANCTUARY! letters uniting the children and encouraging us to consider how CSL can continue to support people throughout the school and local community. Miss Morton