This award recognises the commitment of the whole school community in St Patrick’s College to put the Convention of the Rights of the Child at the heart of the school’s ethos.

As a school community we want all our students to:

• learn about the UNCRC

• make the most of their opportunities to fulfil their rights to an education

• have influence on school decisions through the School Council and Student Focus Groups

• be aware of their rights and know how to access these rights

• do what they can to act in ways which will enable other young people locally and globally to enjoy their rights.

St Patrick’s College not only teaches the students about their rights but also models rights and respect in all relationships: between the teachers/adults and students, between the adults, and between the pupils.  As a Rights Respecting School, we are ensuring that:

ü Rights-respecting values underpin leadership and management

The best interests of the child are a top priority in all actions. Leaders are committed to placing the values and principles of the CRC at the heart of all policies and practice.

ü The whole school community learns about the CRC

The Convention is made known to all children and adults. Young people and adults use this shared understanding to work for global justice and sustainable living

ü The school has a rights-respecting ethos.

Young people and adults collaborate to develop and maintain a rights respecting school community, based on the CRC, in all areas and in all aspects of school life.

ü Children are empowered to become active citizens and learners

Every child has the right to say what they think in all matters affecting them and to have their views taken seriously. Young people develop the confidence, through their experience of an inclusive rights-respecting school community, to play an active role in their own learning and to speak and act for the rights of all to be respected locally and globally.