Last month, the Department of Education and Training (DET) launched an exciting new resource designed to help schools working with refugee students at both primary and secondary levels.

The resource – Promoting Positive Behaviour and Learning: Assisting Refugee Students at School - provides background information, practical ideas and material to help manage challenging behaviour at school. It is designed to help school staff in their efforts to:

• Support successful resettlement for refugee students and their families
• Promote effective teaching and learning
• Respond with sensitivity and awareness to behavioural issues that may arise for refugee students.

One of the exciting aspects of this resource is that it encourages the combination of a broad-based whole school approach, community involvement and good classroom practice to engage and support refugee students and their families.

The package includes a booklet and accompanying CD, which contains practical school and classroom support material.

The resource will be distributed to government schools within a framework of professional learning provided by regions. Schools should contact their Regional Coordinator, Equity Programs and Distance Education, or their Regional Student Support Coordinator.

> Greg Maguire
Greg is Senior Education Officer, Anti-Racism, in the Multicultural Programs Unit, Department of Education and Training.