Orphir named a UNICEF Silver “Rights Respecting School”

Orphir Community School has achieved a Silver accreditation as a UNICEF “Rights Respecting School.” 

This means that children’s rights are learned, understood and lived in the school. 

Principal Teacher, John Dearness, said: “At Orphir Community School, we strive to put the children at the centre of everything; providing them with as many opportunities as possible to be leaders in their learning. So, once we had achieved our Bronze Rights Respecting Schools Award, there was momentum within our older children and staff to go for Silver! 

“First, we set up a steering group that met regularly to plan and deliver school activities with displays supporting all pupils in learning about the rights of a child. Teachers worked through the rights and used rights tiles to link lessons and routines we already had to the rights. Staff and the Primary 6 steering group delivered assemblies and whole school activities to promote the rights of a child.  

“We are continuing with our steering group into Primary 7 and they are currently training up the next group of ambassadors and we therefore hope to sustain our level of engagement with children’s rights well into the future. 

“Our feedback from the Silver accreditation was very positive, and we hope to go for Gold in the near future. Many aspects of what we were already doing meant we were well on our way to the Gold so we look forward to setting our school targets to complete the mission.” 

Orphir and Stenness Community Schools Linked Head Teacher, Grant Thomson, said: “I am incredibly proud of the commitment shown to this UNICEF Rights Respecting School Silver award by the entire school team. This mirrors the type of ethos we strive to create and the value we place on positive and respectful relationships at all levels.” 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “We know it’s important that our schools create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive – Orphir is shining example of this. 

“The Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.”