It is hard to imagine as best friends Sania and Seema swan through the Birrong Girls High School hallways, giggling with each other and waving at classmates, that in their home country, it would be illegal for them to still attend school.
Their shared Afghan heritage was a source of bonding for the pair, who spoke Persian to each other when they were younger but now use English. Although Seema laughs that sometimes she isn’t sure what language they are speaking. Raylene Park, the EAL/D education leader at south and western Sydney schools, said the programs assisted families to understand the Australian school system and also Australian culture, as well as to connect with the local community from their home country.
“They encourage them to do their best, even though the mothers didn’t necessarily get to experience school themselves, which is very admirable,” she said.