A school in Bendigo has embraced its refugee students and now they want to give back to the community.
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Lightning Reef Primary School English as another language teacher Christine Perry said her Karen students had been given opportunities in life many couldn’t have imagined growing up in refugee camps in Thailand.
“When you ask them what they want to be when they grow up the answer is doctors, nurses, police officers,” she said.
“They want to help people – they feel like they have been helped out by Australia and now they want to give back.
“That makes them outstanding role models and so they’re often chosen to become leaders. Our last two school captains have been refugee students.”
The Karen students today hung two banners they have painted for Refugee Week on the school’s fence
In one they depict the life they left behind.
Mel Law Eh Say Kaw Lah said there were some things she wouldn’t miss – being caned at school for one.
The Year 6 student wants to be a doctor when she grows up.