UNICEF Rights Respecting School

RIGHTS…RESPECTING…and US!!!!

Our school came into being on September 1 2014.

Everyone involved with the school at that time had their own vision but when drawing up the school Code all agreed that we wanted everyone to be Gentle, Fair, Generous, Well mannered, Hardworking and Honest. These attributes are interwoven through everything we do in St. Clare’s Abbey Primary School. They are at the core; and our constant focus in putting children at the forefront, heart and culmination of any and all our decision making is overriding.

Therefore, based on our strong foundations we wanted to embed children’s rights into our ethos, culture, policies and daily practice.

We applied for Rights Respecting status because in doing so we would be putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of our planning, policies, practice and ethos and very importantly we would unequivocally give all our children a voice and a platform so that they could express their opinions.

A Rights respecting school not only teaches about children’s rights but also models rights and respect in all its relationships: between staff and pupils, between staff and staff and between pupils.

RRSA is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect non-discrimination and participation.

To find out more about the Rights Respecting Schools Award please visit: http://www.unicef.org.uk/rrsa

Recognition of Commitment

After registering our school, the first stage of the RRSA was obtaining the Recognition of Commitment (ROC). The RRSA was introduced initially to the school community – staff, pupils, governors, parents and to the wider community.

A steering group composing of adults and children was formed to guide, promote and develop the Rights Respecting initiative throughout the school. Procedures were put in place for monitoring the impact of the initiative.

One of the first undertakings we the Steering Group did was to create a mascot. We wanted a mascot that would draw the interest and ignite the curiosity of all the staff, parents and most importantly the pupils.

Our mascot had to be child friendly, had to impress the pupils, have the ability to communicate the Articles and generate positivity.

A sub-committee made up with pupil members of the Steering Group and led by Mrs Sloan worked on this challenge.

After a number of sessions they came up with our mascot,

‘Pop the Peacock’…

They finished it off with a matching slogan, ‘Rights for all…’

Going Forward

RR Steering Group

Our Rights Respecting Steering Group has a very important role in raising awareness of the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and promoting the awareness of children’s rights in St. Clare’s Abbey.

In our Steering Group meetings, all members work hard to ensure that UNCRC Article 12 ‘You have a right to give your opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriousl ’ is always top of our agenda.

By working together, we seek to ensure that all stakeholders have an opportunity to have their views heard and grow in confidence and knowledge when discussing the UNCRC and its impact on our daily lives. We work closely with our School Council, Anti Bullying Ambassadors, ECO committee and Digital leaders to strengthen the voices of children both inside and outside school

Our New Primary One's

Having A Say

Our Class Charters

Keeping Fit and Healthy

Well done to Mr Digney who along with Healthy Kidz organized a wonderful day on how to keep active. They put all our boys and girls and staff members through their paces. During assembly they told us of the importance of health care and nutritious food in order to stay healthy. (Article 24)

Many pupils from P1 to P7 shared their experiences of joining groups and clubs in order to stay active such as Camogie, Football, Irish Dancing, Karate and much more. The pupils then enjoyed a full day fitness marathon supervised by Healthy Kidz and enjoyed healthy, nutritious fruit provided by Neighbourhood Renewal.

This big workout helped raise vital funds to help us promote healthy lifestyles and encourage positive eating habits. (Article 31)

Donation to Southern Area Hospice Services

October 8 2018

We Have a Right to be Alive

Miss Amy Mc Keown from Southern Area Hospice Services received a cheque from members of the School Council. At the beginning of every year the Council members choose which charities they are going to help and then organise fund raisers. The Steering Group with the help of the School Council used this visit to highlight Articles 6 and 24 of the UNCRC.

Each class discussed the important role hospitals, doctors, nurses and other health care workers play in our lives; the reasons why our school insists on our snack being fruit or vegetables; the reason why chips are only served on one day per week in the Dining Hall. Everyone agreed that we all have a RESPONSIBILITY to live healthy lives and not become unwell because of a bad diet or lack of exercise.

Article 24 states that every child has the right to the best possible health, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment and information to help you stay well.

Nurses Julie Laverty and Kathleen Mc Ateer from The National Health Service visited KS2 pupils on October 18 to talk about Healthy Living and also to give the boys and girls their Flu Vaccine.

Each year, viruses that are most likely to cause flu are identified in advance and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends which type of flu virus strains to include in the vaccine. This is one of the ways that the government ensures that our health is being looked after.

The nurses discussed the importance of daily exercise, eating the recommended portions of fruit and vegetables, eating a healthy breakfast, drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day and getting 10 hours sleep each night.

We have the right to the best…

October 29 2018

Our school teamed up with STATSports to try out the latest performance monitoring devices used by elite sports teams. These are worn by athletes during practice games and matches to collect intricate data on their performance and physical wellbeing.

Teams in the English Premier League, La Liga, the NFL, NBA and other professional sporting leagues use STATSports’ performance trackers to gather and analyse real-time player and team data during training and games to help them improve performance, strategy and reduce injuries.

We enjoyed learning about the cutting edge technology and sport science which has changed the way elite sport is played, coached, measured and analysed.

Articles 31 and 24 help ensure we are part of the FUTURE!!!!!!

Pictured are Primary 7 pupils with Stephen Bradley from STATSports using specialised equipment to enhance performance and improve physical wellbeing.

Anti - Bullying Week 2018

This week all children from Nursery through to Year 7 were involved in the school's Anti-Bullying Programme; looking at how St. Clare’s Abbey can continue to provide a safe and happy place to learn where all the children feel secure.

All classes studied and discussed Articles 15 and 19 and agreed that everyone has a responsibility to make sure children experience their rights as well as making rights a reality.

Fantastic Anti- Bullying posters were produced by pupils in all year groups sending a clear message that Bullying is not tolerated in our school.

The week culminated in an assembly led by a collaboration of the Anti- Bullying Ambassadors, UNICEF Rights Respecting School Pupil Steering Group and Digital Leaders. The assembly gave children an opportunity to listen and learn from their peers on the various types of bullying, what pupils should do if they feel they are being bullied and what they can do to stop it. The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, the Rights Resting Steering Group and Digital Leaders all spoke passionately and reinforced their message with two videos on Bullying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybwC6vQ0nY0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S03Br1dwJR8

This week was very important, but at St. Clare’s Abbey we know that we are all against bullying every week.

All agreed we must 'Stamp Out Bullying' for good.

Christmas and Advent Around the World

We have in our school many children whose parents have come to Ireland in search of a new and better life. These boys and girls along with their parents have enriched and opened our minds to countries which for many seemed to be on the other side of the world. Quite a number of these parents were quite keen to share with everyone their Christmas and Advent Traditions. So the Rights Respecting Steering Group organised a ‘Christmas and Advent Around the World’ event in school with the focus on Articles 14 and 30.

Article 14

You have the right to choose your own religion

and beliefs. Your parents should help you decide

what is right and wrong, and what is best for

you.

Article 30

You have the right to practice your own culture,

language and religion - or any you choose.

Minority and indigenous groups need special

protection of this right.

It was a brilliant event! The boys and girls enjoyed learning about the various traditions that take place in so many children’s homes prior to Christmas. They enjoyed sampling the many varieties of food that are enjoyed by so many of their friends. Our parents from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Italy, Philippines, Bangladesh, Russia, China, Germany, USA, Canada, Israel, Brazil, Moldova and of course Ireland went to great lengths to ensure that the Christmas and Advent traditions of their home country were proudly displayed. Some parents sent in traditional costumes which are worn over the Christmas season.