Refugee action support : crossing borders in preparing pre-service teachers for literacy teaching in secondary schools in Greater Western Sydney

On arrival to Australia, many refugee background students experience difficulties adjusting to their new environment and to schooling in particular. This paper discusses the Refugee Action Support partnership program between school, university and community that is endorsed and supported by the institution (University of Western Sydney) with principles that: argue for a move away from a 'one size fits all' approach to a more specialized, individualized approach for refugee background learners; recognise and celebrate the diversity of refugees and the specific barriers that refugees face in education access; links in with refugee community members and the institution; provides role models and mentors for students from refugee backgrounds in high schools; extends English language and literacy training so that students from refugee backgrounds can map a career path and provides cultural awareness training for both refugees and educators as well as resources for the engagement of staff (universities and schools) to support refugee access and to implement the strategies necessary to maximise retention in secondary schools. Finally, the paper explores the benefits for schools, teachers, pre-service teachers and refugee background students by analysing data from a case study conducted with a participating school.