This afternoon we held our first whole school worship in person since our Harvest Festival last autumn.

Introducing earth hour

Started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment.

Held every year on the last Saturday of March, this year Earth Hour is celebrated on Saturday 27 March. Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet.  But Earth Hour goes far beyond the symbolic action of switching off - it has become a focus for positive environmental impact.

Earth Hour aims to increase awareness and spark global conversations on protecting nature not only to combat the climate crisis but to ensure our own health, happiness, prosperity and even survival. Earth Hour welcomes everyone to take part and help share our aims to unite people to protect our planet.

 

As a Green Flag school, we feel very passionate about protecting our planet and in line with our school vision our aim is to teach our children to be:

The Eco Warriors and the rest of the children are concerned about the planet and they want to share in the responsibility of making a difference to the Earth and its future.

linked uncrc articles

There are three articles that provide a particularly strong link this week:

Article 6 - Life, survival and development - Every child has the right to life.

Article 12 - Respect for the views of the child - Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously.

Article 24 – Health and health services -   which includes mention of clean, water,  healthy food and a clean environment

These articles will help to deepen your understanding of and engagement with Earth Hour. The event and the related learning is all about life and survival, having a say, being heard and taking action for a safe and clean environment for all.

This week, the article of the week is linked to International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  Our belief is that every individual is created in God's image and is therefore precious and valuable. This means that we consider that all people should be treated with respect and dignity because we acknowledge their God given value and unique identity.

“Youth standing up against racism” is the 2021 theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21st March.

It engages the public through #FightRacism, which aims to foster a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination and calls on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes.

Some of the activities in this week’s article of the week may be difficult to discuss with your child. The following links can help you explore this topic and prepare your approach to facilitating discussions with your child/ren:

Talking to your child about racism | UNICEF

How to talk to children about racism | NSPCC

Article of the week is a regular set of learning activities centred on a specific article linked to the UN Convention on the Rights of the child (UNCRC).  Each week we will post a new article which we will be focussing on along with suggested activities which you can complete at home if you wish - you are very welcome to share your activities with your class teacher by posting on your class page.

This week, the article of the week is linked to celebrating International Women's Day.  At Marlow CE Infant School, through our Christian Vision, we believe that everybody should be treated with respect and dignity because we acknowledge their God given value and unique identity.  We empower all of our children to be enthusiastic learners and are inclusive of all.

International Women’s Day, on March 8, celebrates the achievements of women and girls.

This year the theme is #ChoosetoChallenge. We can all choose to challenge unfairness and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child ensures the best childhood for every child. This week’s activities will include some focus on Articles 2 and 28, the rights to non-discrimination and to education. Education is a basic human right that girls in some countries are less able to claim than boys.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is currently working with the UK Government to help remove barriers to girls’ education and promote gender equality in education. This IWD we are looking at how we can support the UK Government’s efforts to ensure every girl can get a good education

 

Equal rights and opportunities for all girls and boys help all children fulfil their potential.

This week’s activities link to the following articles:

Article 2 (non-discrimination)

The Convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background.

Article 28 (right to education)

Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and different forms of secondary education must be available to every child. Discipline in schools must respect children’s dignity and their rights. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.

Anja introduces International Women’s Day:

 

Article of the week is a regular set of learning activities centred on a specific article linked to the UN Convention on the Rights of the child (UNCRC).  Each week we will post a new article which we will be focussing on along with suggested activities which you can complete at home if you wish - you are very welcome to share your activities with your class teacher by posting on your class page.