More than 350 Australian Karen Organisation (AKO) students celebrated at Glen Orden Primary School in Werribee today after completing a two week Summer School.
Students of all ages attended the Summer School, from January 2 to 16, to practice conversational English and take part in a number of community programs.
A highlight of the Summer School was a sports program that SpiritWest Services, the community arm of the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs, conducted in partnership with Cricket Victoria, Lifesaving Victoria, Glen Orden Cricket Club and Wyndham Leisure & Events Centre.
Through the sports program provided, 20 adults participated in a swimming program that provided basic swimming skills and water techniques, while 42 children took part in a cricket program that featured a trip to the MCG to watch a Twenty20 cricket match between Victoria and Tasmania.
As part of the closing ceremony today, the Summer School students that took part in the sports programs were presented with cricket bats and swimming certificates to recognize their participation in the Summer School program.
SpiritWest Engaged Communities Coordinator Kiemi Lai said that all of the students that participated in the Karen Summer School had come from refugee backgrounds, most having recently arrived in Australia.
“Through the Settlements Grants Programme, SpiritWest Services have again been able to help new arrivals take part in everyday Australian life,” Lai said.
“The Twenty20 match at the MCG was an obvious highlight for all of the Summer School students that took part in the cricket program – an activity that is so popular in Australia at this time of year.”
