Burntwood, a schooling district in South London, has recently been given an award for becoming ‘A Gold UNICEF Rights Respecting School’ at a conference in the last academic year where the previous principal and some members of the senior team received the award along with some of the many dedicated ambassadors of our school, willing to make a change across the planet.

Having been recently given the title ‘Gold UNICEF Rights Respecting School’, I personally interviewed a few students at Burntwood as well as the senior member of the UNICEF Ambassadors, Ms.Farrenson, and found that being one of the very few schools in London to achieve a gold award was very pleasing.

Neomi Sathiyavan,14, a student at Burntwood School said, “I feel like UNICEF is a great way to branch out to other people who are not as fortunate as ourselves, especially the children, which is why it is so important that our thoughts are expressed thoroughly, like helping our partner school in Morocco. ”Another student, Katherine Richards, also 14 at Burntwood School said, “I am very proud of myself and my fellow ambassadors because I believe that all children including ourselves deserve to celebrate and nurture our rights throughout each others lives.”

As well as receiving the award, Ms. Farrenson and Burntwood School have been continuing their hard work by coming up with assemblies to bring awareness not only within the school grounds but to the outside world too by contributing to a number of events such as: raising money for our partner school in Morocco; for the toilets and school equipment, some ambassadors slept rough outdoors on the school grounds to demonstrate the distress people who are homeless go through and donated 1,000 toys to Evelina Children’s Hospital with the help of the school.

As a result, students learnt how to become active and respecting global citizens, helping people to the highest standards when it comes to UNICEF and rights and other charities. Furthermore, it has been proven by scientists that helping others, maintains good health for example reduces stress and boosts the immune system and triggers a good state of mind which is a great advantage.

Ms. Farrenson stated her opinion too and said, ‘ I think that it has made our students aware of their inalienable rights and it has helped them be more empathic; to help children in our local community and across the world.’ By expressing her feelings on behalf of the school, people outside and across the globe should understand how the rights for children from the youngest age is crucial whatever race, age or country they live in, whether it is for them or the forthcoming generation.

To make a contribution to the UNICEF Rights of the Child, you can go onto their website at: UNICEF.org.UK or call them at 020 7490 2388 and to see what Burntwood School has done, you can go to their website, www.BurntwoodSchool.com.