The Respect Council met to discuss the Articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC). Five key articles have been chosen on which the next stage of our Action Plan will be built. 

During a recent Respect school council meeting, the children discussed ways that our school values could be even more visible around the school. The children decided that a new set of Restorative Ambassadors on the playground would help to promote harmony and guide children towards resolving issues in a constructive and positive way. The respect council worked together to compile a list of questions that would enable them to the ‘ideal’ candidates to explain how they would make a positive difference. We discussed the relevant Articles of the United Nations Charter on the Rights of the Child, namely:

• Article 2 – no discrimination
• Article 12 – respect for children’s views
• Article 13 – sharing thoughts freely
• Article 14 – freedom of thought and religion
• Article 19 – protection from violence
• Article 28 – access to Education

The Respect Council will also be undertaking collaborative activities with their classes this term to highlight pupil voice with regards to learning behaviour and attitudes across the school.

Restorative Ambassadors

Restorative Ambassador Training

Paul Cornall, the restorative approaches lead from the Inclusion Team at Stockport Council, came into school to work with our newly elected Restorative Ambassadors. The children enjoyed working through some very engaging activities that steered their thinking towards using empathy when dealing with conflict. There were discussions around effective listening (hearing all sides/different perspectives) and the children looked at the restorative questions that they will be using to help others resolve issues and regulate their emotions effectively.

Restorative Ambassador Assembly

The newly elected Restorative Ambassadors led the Monday morning assembly and explained the work they will be doing on the playground. They told the children that they will listen with empathy to the situation and the emotions that are being experienced, be non-judgmental, ask questions to understand different perspectives and give calming ideas when needed. 

Congratulations to our new Respect councillors, who were announced in this morning's assembly. Our Respect councillors will be wearing red badges this year.

Curriculum 'Book Look'

The Respect Council joined Miss McGrath to participate in the Friday 'book look'. They found lots of examples of creativity and were particularly impressed with the Green Pen reflections that children had written in response to their learning.

Restorative Discussion Sheet

When the school councils met before half term, the Respect Council looked at the discussion sheet that is worked through when a restorative conversation is required. They made suggestions on how we could improve the discussion sheet and thought of ways that we could include some of the articles from the United Nations Charter on the Rights of the Child could be included (for example: Article 12 - Children have the right to give their opinions freely on issues that affect them. Adults should listen and take children seriously).