We’re running a special book drive at River Nile School to get more books into our library – and we want these books to reflect you!

We asked students what kinds of books they’d love to read, and then we worked with our wonderful friends at Chestnut Tree Bookshop to help choose a list of books based on your ideas. Chestnut Tree put so much care and thought into the list, making sure it matches the interests, passions and backgrounds of our amazing students.

Now we’re asking our wider community to help by buying one of these books for our library.

Each book will help build a stronger, more exciting reading space for everyone at RNS. And every person who donates a book can even write a special message inside the cover for our students to read!

Want to get involved?
You can find the book list and donation link in our school bio or by asking at the office.

Let’s build a library full of stories that feel like home. 💛📚

Thursday 22nd October 2026

4PM-6PM

📍Level 3 of River Nile School - 117 Capel Street North Melbourne.

On Thursday 22 October, the Victorian Refugee Education and Empowerment Network (REEN) will come together at River Nile School for its final gathering of 2026 and to mark one year since the network first launched.

In its first year, REEN has grown to more than 400 members across education, community, government, health, research and other sectors, connected by a shared commitment to improving educational experiences and opportunities for young people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds.

Our final gathering for the year will be an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate what we have built, learned and achieved together, while turning our attention towards an important question: what comes next?

At the centre of the afternoon will be a youth fishbowl conversation hosted and guided by Lydia Tesema, creating space for young people to share where they believe systems are working, where they are falling short, and what they would like to see REEN advocate for, influence or take action on.

But the conversation won’t end with listening.

Young people’s insights will become a springboard for the wider network to consider our own roles and opportunities for action, and where our collective knowledge, relationships and influence could make the greatest difference.

Throughout the afternoon, members will also connect with people working across different parts of the refugee education and empowerment ecosystem, share practical resources, strategies, initiatives and partnerships, and identify areas of shared interest.

Together, we will begin exploring opportunities for working groups and collaboration beyond our quarterly meetings and co-create REEN’s priorities and action plan for 2027.

After a year focused on building connections, sharing practice and strengthening relationships, this gathering is about beginning the next chapter of REEN.

Moving from connection and conversation towards collective action.

Places are limited and registration is essential.