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Transcript
When it comes to sandwiches and toast, this is definitely an Aussie favourite.
But for kids like Sara, who've never tasted this salty black spread before, Vegemite can be weird.
SARA: It's disgusting.
This Australia-themed lesson is just one of a bunch of new experiences for Sara and her classmates. They've recently started school here after a long journey from their home country on the other side of the world, in Syria.
It's a story shared by lots of other Syrian people. Since a war began there in 2011, millions of Syrians have left in search of a safer life. According to the Global Peace Index, Syria's the world's most violent country.
YOUSSEF: Our village, some houses got broken, like, fall down from the bombs, bullets.
In the past year, almost four and a half thousand Syrian kids have been settled here in Australia. Now Sara and her family are getting used to life Down Under.
SARA: I went to [the] Opera House, and I went to Manly by ferry. Yes, and I liked it. I felt free because, like, I can go to school and play with my friends, and not staying at home all the time.
And there's a lot to learn. This school has a special curriculum for refugees, which relies on donations to keep going.
CHILDREN: One lollipop.
TEACHER: One piece of cherry pie.
CHILDREN: One piece of cherry pie.
TEACHER: One sausage.
CHILDREN: One sausage.
It's been a big change for these guys.
YOUSSEF: The school is bigger here in Australia.
Youssef is the school captain and arrived three years ago.
YOUSSEF: The teachers were nice to me. They were funny. They tried to don't let me get sad. We learn maths. We learn science now, science. We're learning health. Here in this school, we can learn Arabic. We are learning Arabic.
He hopes he can visit Syria again one day, once peace returns.
YOUSSEF: I hope Syria will become better and no more, there won't be any more wars in the whole world. We don't want wars.
In the meantime, these new arrivals have big dreams to chase.
SARA: I would like to be a doctor. Yeah. A dentist, yes.
YOUSSEF: Probably a priest or a doctor or an engineer.
© ABC
Discussion
If new children start going to your school, what can you do to help them, especially if they come from a different country? Tell us your ideas!
I will be nice to them and be their friend.