Courageous Advocacy

What is a courageous advocate?

A courageous advocate is someone who champions a cause which is special and meaningful to them.

At Betley Church of England Primary School we have a strong emphasis on encouraging our pupils to become courageous advocates, not just locally, but nationally and globally.

At some point in life we will all face challenges and need support to help us overcome these barriers. We teach our children that it is important to help others when we can no matter who they are, where they come from or what challenges they may face. We teach this through the teachings of the bible and learning about other courageous advocates.

It is important for our children to appreciate their role as part of a community; to take responsibility, to be able to look after themselves & to foster an understanding of their importance, impact and influence in the world.

In recent years we have carried out a range of different fund raising to support many good causes, some of which include:

• a local food bank (Alice)
• The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Our children have an excellent grasp on the meaning of belonging to a local and global community and the sense of responsibility that comes with belonging. Thereby developing their ability to empathise and make a small sacrifice to benefit others. Together we consider the beauty and fragility of our environment, the actions we take, and the impact these actions may have on the well-being of everyone. Our school community and curriculum actively embrace a responsibility for the world in which we live. We are diligent to show our connection with, and care for, the world in which we all live and care for the people who live in it:

• Links with the local care home (reading; Christmas carols; learning about life in the past…)
• Charities of significance to our children
• School Council seek the views of pupils as to which causes we want to support
• Developing links with schools locally, nationally and internationally (to learn about the similarities, differences & how we can help support/develop each other through these).
• Strong PTA with community events such as Christmas and Summer Fayres, discos and film nights
• Strong links with local pre-schools
• Head Teacher writes in the local Parish newsletter and local papers to reach out to the community

Examples of courageous advocacy by members of our school can be found on the school newsletter and below:

• Children across all year groups participated in litter-pick one morning of the weekend in order to help their local community after an organised event
• A year 6 child completed a sponsored silence for two days to raise money for the RSPCA
• Children help at the local animal sanctuary to support the rehabilitation of animals
• A letter has been written to the council to highlight that the speed on the road needs to be reduced.
• The children took part in a non-uniform day to raise money for Ukraine
• A child participated in a Karate activity to raise awareness for the British

It is always amazing when children independently think of helping others.  A huge well done to Imogen and Rowen.  They have both had their hair cut for the Little Princess Trust. This is such a super charity; to find out more follow the link below: Little Princess Trust (littleprincesses.org.uk)

If you would like to sponsor the girls, please see the link below: Sebastian Daly is fundraising for The Little Princess Trust (justgiving.com) Money raised goes towards supporting the charity in creating the wigs. Well done girls, we are all incredibly proud of you.