In those early weeks , there was an opportunity for the wider school community to contribute financially , as we launched a Ukraine fundraising appeal . Parents and others responded generously , and to date we have received donations of over £ 32,000 for the British Red Cross Ukraine Disaster Relief Fund . It soon became clear that the UK would shortly be receiving its first wave of Ukrainian refugees , and the school began to consider how it could best use its considerable resources ( in terms of both people and facilities ) to help those displaced .
Working alongside the charitable organisation Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees , the school has offered a range of weekly events , at which refugees who find themselves in the local area can find a new community . In May we started running a sports and social evening in the Sennocke Centre on Fridays , and over 20 people have regularly attended . Badminton and tennis have been the most popular sports , but guests have also enjoyed learning squash and using the gym . In addition , we have run a family sports and social event on Sunday mornings . The family swim on Sunday afternoons has sometimes been attended by over 30 guests . Most of all the refugees seem to have enjoyed the warm welcome offered by a team of staff and student volunteers , and a chance to have a new routine among new friends .
In June we also made a very positive start with our series of English classes , which have taken place on Thursday afternoons , during our normal VSU service slot . We have had over 50 people attending , with a wide range of needs . Some near beginners have been working with me , and other more advanced adults ( and children ) have been working with other Sevenoaks teachers and pupils , many in very small conversation groups . From next year we will be welcoming some refugee children into the school .
All this feels like a good start . But there is certainly more we can do as a school . To those who have been given much , much is expected . We must continue to do what we can , to show empathy and not pity as we seek to build relationships , and to challenge ourselves to be sacrificial in helping those who have lost so much .
Jon Drury , Head of Russian
A STORY FROM VSU
Each Thursday afternoon a party of children comes to Sevenoaks School from one of our local primary schools for a VSU gamelan workshop with our students . One day it was the turn of a Year 4 group from Lady Boswell ’ s school .
When the children arrived it transpired that one of the pupils was a Ukrainian refugee who spoke no English , only Russian . The class teacher was trying desperately to communicate with her using Google Translate on her phone , obviously a very slow and frustrating process for both . The little girl had only been in England for a couple of weeks , having lost her home and school in a bombing raid . Her family had arrived here with few belongings , only really the clothes they stood up in . She seemed sad and distant , bewildered by what had happened to her and , although she was trying hard , the anxiety showed in her face .
When the gamelan team arrived , I discovered that one of our Year 10 students not only spoke Russian at home , but has a Ukrainian mother , so we sat the girl with her . The rapport between them was instantaneous and although it was quite hard to teach the rest of the group with them chattering , it was worth it to see the extraordinary change in the girl ’ s face and demeanour . The class teacher was delighted and the Year 10 student stayed with us longer than her allocated time to help the little girl with the next stage of the workshop . What a difference it makes to be able to communicate with someone in their own language !
Two weeks later , another Ukrainian pupil at Lady Boswell ’ s attended a gamelan class , and the same Year 10 student was able to work her magic again . We also continue to support Lady Boswell ’ s with regular visits from the Head of Russian , to help refugee pupils settle , facilitate communication and support their English learning .
Jackie Hendry
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2021-2022 67