We were delighted to kick off Refugee Week 2025 on Tuesday 17th June with one of our favourite events of the year – the Schools of Sanctuary Awards! This year we gathered at St Mary’s Church to recognise and celebrate the hard work, creativity, and compassion of our local schools who are dedicated to building a culture of welcome for all.
This joyful annual event is made possible thanks to the continued collaboration between Swansea City of Sanctuary, Swansea Council’s Education Directorate, and the team at St Mary’s Church. Our long-time volunteer and Management Committee member, Funmilayo Olaniyan, opened the event with warmth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for an inspiring morning of celebration.
Helen Morgan Rees, Director of Education in Swansea, welcomed attendees with a powerful message:
“Swansea is a welcoming city, and the work our schools have done to go the extra mile to provide safe environments for our children is nothing short of amazing.”
She reminded us that “growth, belonging and safety” are essential values in our schools, and that becoming a School of Sanctuary is not just a moment of recognition, it marks the beginning of an ongoing commitment to inclusion and kindness.
Celebrating Our 2025 Award-Winning Schools
We were thrilled to welcome three new Schools of Sanctuary into our local network this year: Bishopston Primary, Blaenymaes Primary, and Plasmarl Primary all received their very first School of Sanctuary awards – a fantastic achievement and testament to the work they’ve done to create inclusive and welcoming school environments.
But receiving an award isn’t the end of the journey. This year, we also celebrated the reaccreditation of five schools who have continued to demonstrate their deep commitment to the City of Sanctuary vision: Pentrehafod Comprehensive, Waun Wen Primary, Brynmill Primary, Hafod Primary, and Terrace Road Primary were all recognised for their ongoing efforts to promote understanding, nurture empathy, and extend a warm welcome to all those seeking sanctuary.
Each school gave moving and creative performances that reflected their work and values:
- Terrace Road Primary were the first to be recognised, presented by panelist Dr. Stephanie Jones. The children shared beautiful poetry celebrating unity and learning side by side
- Hafod Primary, presented by Dr. Martha Ako, lifted the room with their heartfelt singing, including the line: “This is one moment, this is one people…”
- Blaenymaes Primary, presented by Cerian Appleby, performed poetry reflecting their ethos of being “included and involved”.
- Brynmill Primary, presented by Carys Davies, gave a thoughtful presentation on their sanctuary journey and shared a song.
- After a short break where we heard from Rocio Cifuentes, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, we heard from Bishopston Primary, presented by Elaine Rees. The children performed poetry including the powerful lines: “Refugees are people too, treat all people fair and true.”
- Plasmarl Primary, presented again by Cerian Appleby, shared a moving poem and presentation, including the voices of pupils with lived experience of seeking sanctuary.
- Waun Wen Primary, presented by Dr. Martha Ako, read their original poem on kindness, ending with the message: “Choose a kinder way. Learn. Embed. Share.”
- Finally, Pentrehafod Comprehensive, presented by Elaine Rees, closed with a beautiful choir performance.
Reflections from City of Sanctuary UK
We were honoured to welcome Sian Summers-Rees, Chief Officer of City of Sanctuary UK, and Zaina Aljumma, Sanctuary Ambassadors Coordinator, as our guest speakers. As a proud native of Swansea, Sian reminded us of what sanctuary truly means:
“Welcome is everyone’s business… It’s not just about smiling at the door. It’s about being seen, heard, and valued as we are.”
She urged us all to actively choose welcome and speak up for sanctuary, especially in our schools. Zaina and Sian encouraged us to create spaces where questions are safe, differences are respected, and where every child can belong and thrive.
“Be proud,” Sian said, “that you will be the reason somebody feels safe to grow in their community.”
Thank You
We are immensely proud of all the pupils, staff, and families involved in these inspiring journeys. Your creativity, compassion, and commitment to inclusion help make Swansea a truly welcoming city for all.
A huge thank you also goes to this year’s Schools of Sanctuary Panel: Carys Davies, Cerian Appleby, Elaine Rees, Funmilayo Olaniyan, Martha Ako and Stephanie Jones, who gave their time to visit schools and review applications.
A heartfelt thank you to Ruth Castle from Swansea Council’s Education Directorate, who once again coordinated this wonderful event. It simply wouldn’t have been possible without her. Diolch!
As Helen Morgan Rees put it so perfectly:
“Education is about creating the best human beings possible.”
We believe our Schools of Sanctuary are leading the way in doing just that.
If your school is interested in becoming a School of Sanctuary, please visit the Schools of Sanctuary page on the City of Sanctuary UK website or get in touch with us: [email protected]