UNICEF Rights Respecting School
Bordesley Green Girls' School & Sixth Form is a UNICEF Rights Respecting School, having already achieved the Bronze Award and working towards the Silver. We embed Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, (UN CRC), wherever possible, in teaching across the curriculum. We also explicitly encourage staff and students to consider what these articles mean in our daily school life, both at organisational and individual levels. By doing this, we ensure that the whole school community is aware of our commitment to the UN CRC.
Staff and students here at BGGS are, as a result, exceptionally aware of situations where children's rights under the UN CRC may, by accident or deliberate action, be compromised. Our school community is very motivated to do whatever we can to support children's rights both here at BGGS and in the wider community and world. As part of this commitment, our community is always keen to support the aid and support organisations which work for children suffering in areas of deprivation or natural disaster.
Raising funds for UNICEF - February 2023
Students and staff were appalled at the human loss and suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake of February 6th 2023 in Turkey and Syria. Members of our school community, both adults and children, were desperate to help and proposed numerous ideas for fund raising and other forms of aid. After a number of Thoughts for the Day keeping the school community updated on the deterioration of the situation, it was decided that something must be done by the school at large.
After discussion with members of the school community, on 17th February Ms. Hyare and her team spoke in Thought for the Day about how the school would begin raising funds for UNICEF aid, beginning with a "treat" sale that day. She also, as part of our commitment to the UN CRC, reminded everyone which articles were being compromised and how.
Article Quotes from the UN CRC
- Article 6 (survival and development) - Every child has the right to life. Governments must do all they can to ensure that children survive and grow up healthy.
- Article 9 (separation from parents) - Children must not be separated from their parents unless it is in the best interests of the child (for example, in cases of abuse or neglect). A child must be given the chance to express their views when decisions about parental responsibilities are being made. Every child has the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might harm them.
- Article 10 (family reunification) - Governments must respond quickly and sympathetically if a child or their parents apply to live together in the same country. If a child’s parents live apart in different countries, the child has the right to visit both of them.
- Article 20 (children deprived of a family) - If a child cannot be looked after by their family, governments must make sure that they are looked after properly by people who respect the child’s religion, culture and language.
- Article 22 (refugee children) - If a child is a refugee or seeking refuge, governments must ensure that they have the same rights as any other child. Governments must help in trying to reunite child refugees with their parents. Where this is not possible, the child should be given protection.
- Article 23 (children with disability) - A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life in conditions that promote dignity, independence and an active role in the community. Governments must do all they can to provide free care and assistance to children with disability.
- Article 24 (health and health services) - Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food and a clean environment so that children can stay healthy. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.
- Article 27 (adequate standard of living) - Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical, social and mental needs. Governments must help families who cannot afford to provide this.
