St Columba’s Primary School, Clady had a very successful school year in 2017-2018. The school was awarded Rights Respecting School Gold Award Level 2 on 11 October 2017. Gold in the Rights Respecting School Award is the highest level of the Award and is granted to schools that have fully embedded the principles of the Convention into their ethos and curriculum.  St Columba’s puts UNCRC at the heart of its school’s culture and ethos to improve wellbeing and develop each child’s talents and abilities to his/her fullest potential. This very positive programme empowers all pupils to express their opinions and views and actively participate in school decision making and know that their voice will be heard.

Holy Evangelists’ Primary School and Nursery Unit, Twinbrook under the leadership of Paula McWilliams PD&MU and Rights Respecting School Coordinator, has been awarded the prestigious Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award.

The Assessor commented on there being a strong commitment to and enthusiasm for RRS across the whole school community of adults and children. Children could talk about the UNCRC and the rights that they hold along with ‘all children across the world; they’re not just for us‘. Children talked about a range of articles that they considered important to them such as the right to be heard, be safe, learn, be healthy and ‘kept away from conflict’. The latter resonates with them due to the recent arrival of children from other countries, including Syria. This has made them even more aware that rights such as Art.22, 38 and 39, have been denied these children. It is clear that the children know that it is adults, ‘including governments’, who are the Duty Bearers.

Once again Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School, Belfast is ending the school year on a high!  They have just been informed that they are one of a small number of schools which has been awarded the School of Sanctuary Award.

The School of Sanctuary Award is given to a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all.  A place where children feel cared for and valued and empowered to be the best that they can be regardless of culture, creed or ability.

The Governors and staff of St John the Baptist’s College, Portadown are delighted to have received the prestigious ‘Highly Commended’ award for ICT Excellence at the recent CAPITA awards ceremony in the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. The school was praised for its creative and innovative use of a wide range of new and emerging technologies to enhance learning and teaching and implement effective differentiated strategies.

Holy Family Primary and Nursery School, Derry have been celebrating this week with the news that they are the first school in Ireland to secure the Inclusion and Diversity Standard (BS76005) in recognition of their excellent Inclusion and Diversity practices.

Representatives from the school travelled to a special awards ceremony at Stormont Buildings, Belfast to receive this prestigious accolade on Tuesday 12 June 2018.