La Houguette commended by Unicef

Wednesday 22 July 2020

La Houguette Primary School has earned a Silver award from the Unicef Rights Respecting Schools programme, for its work upholding the rights of children.

The school registered for the programme in October 2018 and received a Bronze award in April 2019. Their efforts have been spearheaded by Emma Feak, a teacher and the school’s RRSA Coordinator.

At the heart of the programme is the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Rights Respecting Schools are expected to make children aware of the 42 Articles in this convention, and to work these principles into the school’s culture. Children at La Houguette are taught these in fortnightly assemblies in which one of the Articles is focused on at a time.

“Teachers also make links to the rights in their teaching and when discussing the world around us,” said Ms Feak. Students have learned about South Africa, Liberation Day and World War II in ways that link back to the Articles.

As part of their assessment of La Houguette, a representative from Unicef interviewed a selection of students and teachers. During these interviews, children said that they feel safe at their school, primarily because they feel supported.

“You can always talk to the teacher,” said one child. “The teachers take care of us,” said another.

Pictured: La Hougette was praised by Unicef for their commitment to keeping children active by encouraging students to walk to school.

Children also said that activities such as sports day, overnight camping and ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ helped them to be emotionally and physically healthy. They also described the ‘Decider skills,’ a set of tools to help children manage their emotions and reflect on their actions.

‘Feedback Fridays’ encourage children to talk openly about what they feel could be improved about their learning.

As well as exercising their own rights, children are encouraged to promote the rights of others, locally and globally. La Houguette achieves this through charity events throughout the year, in aid of Soccer Aid, the Shoebox Appeal, Comic Relief and Children in Need, among others.

The school also promotes environmental efforts through beach cleans and an emphasis on recycling.

“Rights work has become embedded in the school,” said Ms Feak with regards to the school’s efforts. “At La Houguette Primary School, pupil voice and inclusion are very important to us.”

Pictured top: La Houguette Primary School joins the Guernsey Grammar School and St. Martin’s Primary School as one of three schools in the Bailiwick to receive a Silver award from Guernsey’s Rights Respecting Schools programme.