We are Rights Respecting Schools 

It is an exciting time at Mount Stewart Schools.  We have achieved the Unicef RRSA Silver Award in the Federated Schools in 2021 and are working towards the Gold Award! 

There are four general principles in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).  They are:

• Non-discrimination (Article 2)
• Best interests of the child (Article 3)
• Life, survival, and development (Article 6)
• Respect the views of the child (Article 12) 

These articles are special because they help to interpret the other articles in the CRC Convention.  

In our journey to achieving the Gold Award, the children and staff will be learning the following key vocabulary to have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a part of rights respecting school:

• INHERENT - Rights are Inherent.  Children are born with them and they cannot be taken away.
• INDIVISIBLE - Rights are indivisible and are interlinked.  No right is more important than another one.
• INALIENABLE - Rights are inalienable.  This means that they cannot be given away and no one can take them away.  
• UNIVERSAL - Rights are universal.  All children under 18, everywhere in the world have these rights.  
• UNCONDITIONAL - Rights are unconditional.  This means that they are not dependent on the responsibility or performing an action to get them. Actions should respect the rights of others and not deny their rights. 

   

Gobal Citizenship and RRSA

World leaders are committed to the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development, eradicating poverty for all.  At Mount Stewart Schools, children are made aware of 'charity' and 'wants and needs' in their learning.  They learn about Sustainable Development by using recyclable materials in outdoor learning and being part of Harrow Plus Charity and providing food packs to benefit the local community.  The RRSA Ambassadors are also aware of the UN Global Goals and can link some of this in their learning.  

The following activities in school help children to understand the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Staff members support the children to use Rights Respecting language throughout the schools.  

Climate Change COP26  - UNCRC Articles 12, 13, 24, 27 & UN Sustainable Development Goals 7, 11, 12 & 13.

 he RRSA  Ambassadors, Eco Warriors and Student Councillors are aware of the COP 26 summit in Glasgow and will prepare questions to ask their local MP about climate change and how carbon emissions will affect their environment, denying them their right in article 24.  They will also learn about Sustainable Goals in outdoor learning activities.  

Odd Socks Day - UNCRC Articles 2, 12, 19 & UN Development Goal 16

Children and staff wore odd stocks to celebrate anti-bullying week.  They are aware that everyone is unique and should not be discriminated or bullied.  We live in a diverse world where everyone should feel included and differences celebrated.  This attitude creates positive global citizens.

Happiness and well-being Articles 6, 23, 29 & UN Development Goal 3

Lockdown had a negative impact on mental health and well-being for some pupils and parents. Families and communities grew closer as a result while some people felt alone and isolated.  Our school did rainbows and artwork to brighten up areas in the school and also the local police station.