The Festival and how it began...

• These are anonymous comments about feeling safe from KS3, KS4 and KS5 students at Hampstead School.:-
• Sanctuary is a place where you feel safe. I felt safe before when there was no coronavirus and no war with Ukraine. My life was dangerous before I came to this school because of the war between Ukraine and Russia. I felt safe with my parents and friends because they always supported me in difficult situations, and they always made me feel welcome and comfortable. Hampstead is a safe school for students because there are many teachers who look out for you, especially when there is bullying between students. So now not only do I feel safe at home, but also at school, because I know that I am accepted.
• The word ‘sanctuary’ to me means home. Even though there was war in Iraq, I knew I felt safe because I always had my family nearby. Life was good before I came to this school, but now I feel even safer. My friend said that she didn’t feel safe when she was little because her dad had passed away and wasn’t there anymore to protect her. This is why I feel safest when I know that my family will make sure I never feel scared. I always have to have my phone on me to be able to call my mum. I love her and she does everything to make sure my brothers and I are happy. Hampstead School feels safe but sometimes the students aren’t very welcoming.
• I’ve always felt safe because of my family. All I need is my mum and my dad. Hampstead School is a safe school, where I can ask for help with anything. I feel safe at home and at school.
• My life was not safe when I was younger because of the war, but I had my family. When I came to the UK, everything started to get better. When I had first started at Hampstead School I was scared, because I didn’t understand the language and I didn’t have any friends. Now I am proud that this is my school, my teachers have always helped me with my English and I have many kind friends who understand me, some who had to leave their homes too. I feel grateful that I am here.
• ‘Sanctuary’, for me, is the feeling of acceptance and belonging that comes from being with my family. I’ve always felt safe having my family beside me.
• Safety is a very important abstract feeling for different people. Sanctuary is a place where you can eat, drink, and breathe calmly. It’s when I doubtlessly know when I was a young boy.
• Sanctuary is a place of refuge and protection. I didn’t use to feel safe when I was younger because of the war. Now I am with my family and my friends at Hampstead School, I feel safe. They are so giving and kind, that I always feel welcome with them.
• For me Sanctuary means safety. When I was younger everywhere felt dangerous and big, but I felt safe because I had someone to take care of me. I feel safe now because I have family and friends who always make me laugh when I’m sad or tired or bored. It’s important to me that people respect my personal space and don’t ask me intrusive questions. In Hampstead School, nobody makes me feel unsafe.
• Sanctuary is safety and comfort. My sense of safety comes from reading whenever I want an escape, because it transports me to another world. I love the school library, and always feel welcome to be myself in there.
• Sanctuary is a place where you can feel protected. I used to feel safer when I was younger, because I was still unaware of all the problems we as a society still face and that some still struggle to overcome. It’s important to find people that understand you and defend you from any danger. There are places I can go in Hampstead School when I don’t feel safe, like my Form teacher, Achievement Support, the Library, the music rooms, and clubs, where I know that I am welcome and appreciated.
• Hampstead School is a safe space because you can go to your Head of Year, and even go to the Head Teacher whenever you need help. Our form tutors are always there to listen to us, even if we go to them with silly problems.
• I feel safest when I am somewhere where I am taken seriously. If I share a problem, I know that there will be immediate action to figure it out. I definitely feel safe at Hampstead School.
• Sanctuary is a place you can go when you need refuge. At Hampstead School, I can go to Achievement Support or the HUB, knowing that the teachers there are always available to talk to me and help me talk through my emotions.