The Filippiada Refugee camp is located in an abandoned army base on the outskirts of the small town of Filippiada in l Greece.  Its infrastructure is poor and the current two room school house has little to offer the children of the camp.  Lessons are sporadic and conducted by volunteers who may or may not be qualified.

I envision a classroom space where students from the camp and the local town can work together to achieve a collaborative quality education.  It is a space that bridges the gap between cultures and eases the transition of refugee children into the local community.

To ensure this, the space needs to be a flexible, multipurpose space to accommodate different

• Types of lessons

• Aged students   

• Cultural beliefs

• Learning environments - inside and outside spaces.

It needs to be

• Clean and organised.

 The students will be responsible for keeping the learning space clean and tidy. This promotes ownership of the space and pride in themselves & their learning space.

• Colourful, light and airy.

 Students will collaborate to paint murals on the external walls that depict a blending of all cultures and display the enmeshed community they live in. 

• Comfortable and safe.

Staff and community leaders will ensure the safety of all students by upholding social justice policies developed in conjunction with all stakeholders.

• An inviting space that encourages students to attend and participate.

Staff will provide quality lessons that are based on the curriculum, student interest and incorporate a variety of pedagogies such as inquiry based learning, project based learning and games based learning.

•  Resources and materials need to be accessible for all students and shared equally.  

Resources will be pooled. Tradesmen will work in conjunction with teachers and students to construct furniture building community spirit, and transferring skills.

• Support by all stakeholders. 

Stake holders will work together to ensure that the classroom space is actively promoted in a positive way to increase attendance.

• A space where everyone is equal. 

All students will be treated respectfully without regard of their origin or cultural background.

• A space where children can go and experience some semblance of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic and precarious life.

The routine will follow that of regular school routines where possible.