Participation:

Every day the school day begins with form time and during this time pupils get the daily bulleting read out.  It is full of so many opportunities for pupils to participate in the wider life of their school.  This week for example we had notices about; a golf league, a weekend trip to watch Priemership football matches, basketball, rock challenge, apprenticeship programmes, cross country event, hockey leaders, active schools, film club, reading group, a trip to Germany, a trip to France, anti-bullying group, blood donors, immunisations, revision classes, playground improvement group, careers interviews, musical activities.  This is a very wide and varied set of opportunities for pupils and I would encourage them to make the most of their opportunities whilst at school.  It is a great way to meet different people and try different things.

These sort of opportunities are a way of us enabling children to enjoy their rights as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – in particular;

Article 15 – the right to meet other children and join groups

Article 29 – education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full

Article 31 – Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities

The UN convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is playing an increasing role in our national legislation and in our day to day practices.  We all have a role to ‘recognise and realise’ children’s rights and to help young people play a full and active part in society.