Weir presents Ballyholme Primary School with UNICEF award
Date published:
Education Minister Peter Weir today presented Ballyholme Primary School with the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award Level 2 (RRSA).
The UNICEF ‘Rights Respecting Schools’ Award (RRSA) supports schools across the UK to embed children’s human rights in their ethos and culture. Ballyholme Primary School is one of five schools within the South Eastern Region and the first school in the Ards and North Down Borough to achieve RSSA level two status.
The Minister said:
“I am very pleased to be here today to present Ballyholme Primary School with this award. Attaining the ‘Level 2 Rights Respecting Schools Award’ is a great achievement for the school and indeed adds to the already excellent reputation the school has as a caring, inclusive welcome place of learning.
“I firmly believe that education has a very important role to play in the development of all our children. Through education young people are equipped with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their future life. The curriculum at primary level not only provides children with crucial academic building blocks like literacy, numeracy and science, it also, through the citizenship element, explores important wider issues such as mutual respect and social responsibility. I would like to congratulate all those involved in securing this great accolade and wish all the pupils every success for the future.”
Notes to editors:
- The UNICEF ‘Rights Respecting Schools’ Award (RRSA) supports schools across the UK to embed children’s human rights in their ethos and culture. The award recognises achievement in putting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a school’s practice to improve wellbeing and help all children and young people realise their potential.
- The initiative started in 2006 and the award is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation.
- More than 4,000 schools across the UK are currently involved in the programme. These include primary schools, secondary schools, schools for children with special needs and pupil referrals units in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Only thirteen schools across NI have achieved level two status.
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