HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
Human Rights has been studied at secondary level but to date has been only an incidental subject in primary level education.
The revised curriculum has Personal Development as a core subject that will be studied by all school children. Citizenship; including a knowledge of Human Rights will be part of this. With this in mind Amnesty International has worked with the Ulster Teachers’ Union and Irish National Teachers’ Organisation to produce a programme of study essentially designed and written for primary schools.
This is the Diary of Stranmillis’s involvement.
AUTUMN 2004 ----- invitation from Amnesty to trial the resource “Rights in Flight” now renamed “Me You Everyone.” Attended two days preparation training involving the history of Human Rights, its legality and role in today’s society.
JANUARY/ APRIL 2005-----teach and evaluate lessons from the” Rights in Flight” resource book with Y6 pupils. Undertake a joint project with St. Patrick’s Boys ‘school Drumcondra.
APRIL 2005-----submit entry for an IMPETUS award organised by the Institute for Global Education U.K.
MAY 2005----- Paul Clark UTV newsreader attends a school assembly as a guest speaker. He talks about educational progress in Sudan and Banda Aceh.
MAY 2005----- receive news that Stranmillis has met the criteria for the Impetus award and been cited as “an example of good practice,” the first primary school in Northern Ireland to be so honoured. Children are invited to present their work at two showcases-
locally in Londonderry
nationally in London.
JUNE 2005----- invited to trial new resource for infant classes.
SEPTEMBER 2005----- Y5 classes begin lessons from “Lift Off”” resource book.
Y7 children attend Londonderry showcase to present their project and collect the Impetus award.
OCTOBER 2005----- Y7 children attend the national showcase at the Museum of London.
Y7 children address delegates at a cross border conference in Dublin Castle attended by both ministers in charge of education.
JANUARY 2006----- teachers of Years 1/2/3 begin to teach and evaluate the lessons from “The Right Start.”
Y7 children address 4th year students and their guests at St. Mary’s University College.
Y7 children accompany a joint party of Human Rights Commissioners from Belfast and Dublin on a school visit.
Holocaust Memorial Day. Y5 children learn the story of the Holocaust and plant yellow crocuses in the form of a Shield of David to remember children who have died as a result of war.
FEBRUARY 2006----- two Y5 classes visit the Belfast Shul and meet the Rebbitzin. This is to demonstrate the article from the Convention on the Rights of the Child that “All children are entitled to speak their own language and practise their own religion and culture.”
MARCH 2006----- children from Ys 5 & 7 participate in a research focus group for St. Mary’s University College.
APRIL 2006----- five children chosen from Ys 2/3/5/7 address the delegates and guests at the Ulster Teachers’ Union conference to comment on the content of their lessons on Human Rights education as contained in the “Lift-Off” series.
MAY 2006----- classes complete an inter school project and teachers evaluate “The Right Start” for Amnesty International project officers.
The whole school celebrates its diversity by holding a “World Day.” Parents and invited visitors share their languages, music, food, stories and dress culture with the children. A photographic record is submitted for an Impetus award.
"Happy Birthday" Assembly on World Day.
Nicky and the African Drummers of Year 7.
Annual Event. International Food Fest – Parents demonstrate their cultures by cooking and serving ethnic dishes to the school and local community.
