UNICEF – Rights Respecting Schools
Holy Cross is working with UNICEF on their Rights Respecting Schools programme. The Rights Respecting Schools Award puts children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK.
UNICEF works with schools to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. The Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.
UNICEF Ambassadors
As part of our Rights Respecting Schools programme we have established a team of ambassadors
to help Miss Baptiste and Mr Foster guide us on our journey. We look forward to the programme and these children playing their important role in this.
We are delighted to announce that we are now officially a Silver School! We had a meeting on Wednesday morning with an assessor and she was extremely impressed with the work that we have done here at Holy Cross. It is so important that our lovely children have the rights that they entitled to and that they know about these rights. My thanks to Miss Baptiste, Miss Panchoo and Mr Foster for spending a considerable amount of time working on this application and with the children.
We are continuing our work on the Rights Respecting Schools programme along with our fabulous team of UNICEF Ambassadors. Each week the programme focuses on some of the articles from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). We will share these with you each week through the newsletter and discuss them with children in School. We want our children to understand their rights and to be aware of the importance of them in our lives. The website is full of interesting information, please do take a look.
This week we are looking at:
This week, our UNICEF focus was Article 13, which states that every child has the right to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. We explored how people can use their voices through speaking, writing, art, music, and other forms of communication to share ideas, solve problems, and bring about positive change.
We reflected on the importance of speaking the truth, standing up for what is right, and respecting the dignity of others. Children learned about St Thomas More, whose courage and commitment to his beliefs remind us that using our voices responsibly can make a real difference.
For homework, children can research someone who used their voice to make a positive difference in the world and be ready to share their story with the class.
This week, our UNICEF focus was Article 18, which highlights the importance of families and the shared responsibility adults have in helping children grow up safely, happily, and supported. This is linked to International Families Day, celebrating the many different kinds of families that care for, guide, and encourage children every day.
Children reflected on how families help them learn, feel loved, and develop confidence. This reminds us that every family is unique, and that love, care and encouragement are at the heart of helping children flourish.
Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) UNICEF works with schools across the country. The Award recognises a school’s achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice within the school and beyond