Our Rights Journey Begins…
Our path to becoming a Rights Respecting School began in September 2015.
Click on our Timeline to view our journey in detail.
2015-2016
Introduction to RRSA and Global Goals 11.09.15
On Friday 11th September 2015 we held the first House Assemblies of the new session for P2-P7 and welcomed P2 pupils to their first House Assembly.
In 2015 Sciennes began a school wide project to become a “Rights Respecting School” which links with the United Nations Global Goals, begun in 2000, to:
End extreme poverty
Fight inequality & injustice
Fix climate change
On September 25th 2015, 193 world leaders committed to the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Much was achieved in the previous fifteen years, and 2015 saw the halfway point towards achieving the Goals by 2030. Our House Assemblies introduced these projects to our pupils.
Global Goals: World’s Largest Lesson 25.09.15
On Friday 25th September 2015 at the P4-7 Assembly we marked the United Nations’ adoption of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development with the ‘World’s Largest Lesson‘:
End extreme poverty
Fight inequality & injustice
Fix climate change
Throughout the year, we will help our pupils understand and support the Global Goals and the Articles of the United Nations’ Convention for the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) by linking them to our curriculum.
P3 Syrian Appeal Global Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities 01.10.15
At special Assemblies with Mercy Corps on Thursday 1st October 2015, P3 pupils told the school about their Harvest project to help Syrian refugees.
The P3 Communications Group met on Wednesday and this is how they explained the project in their own words:
Primary Three are trying to raise money for Mercy Corps to help Syrian children who are refugees. There is a war in Syria and lots of people have lost their homes. Refugees are people who are trying to find a safe place to live. We are lucky to have lots of things to play with in our playground. We want to help children in refugee camps. We want to give them their own playground. A playground costs £300.
We have decorated envelopes and everyone will get one. Please put some money in your envelope and bring it back to school. We will collect the envelopes from the classes. Everyone in P3 has a different job to do. Some people are envelope collectors, some people are money counters and some people are going to talk at Assembly to tell everyone about our project.
Thank you from The P3 Communications Team
Look out for more information from the team!
Article 22 The right to have help if you are a refugee
Article 31 The right to play
Cost of the School Day Global Goal 1 End Poverty 21.10.2015
Sciennes Primary School is proud to be one of six schools in Edinburgh committed to raising awareness of children in poverty and exploring ways in which we might reduce the ‘Cost of the School Day’.
We are offering parents the chance to hear from Pattie Santelices, a member of the Health and Well Being team at City of Edinburgh Council, talk about the implication of children living in poverty in Edinburgh.
The aims of the session are:
* To highlight the scale and impact of child poverty.
* To explore cultural and structural explanations of child poverty.
* To introduce the wider ‘1 in 5’ Project.
* To consider the costs associated with the school day at Sciennes
* To reflect on how we can make education fairer for all
There are many costs associated with school and education (e.g. uniforms, materials, trips, meals etc…) and together we would like to explore ways to reduce these costs where possible in order to make education fairer for all.
The presentation will be held on:
Tuesday 6th October 6.30-8.30pm and is repeated on
Wednesday 7th October 1.30 – 3.20pm
If you would like to attend please email the school: admin@sciennes.edin.sch.uk
Complementary sessions are taking place with staff and pupils in school. Feedback from everyone will contribute to new Council recommendations and guidance for schools.
One World Week – P3 Syrian Appeal 25.10.2015
On Friday 25th October 2015 at P4-7 Assembly we marked One World Week by sharing how our P3 pupils have successfully led a whole school project with Mercy Corps to change ‘Hope into Action.’
To date, the P3 Harvest Appeal has raised a fantastic £2100 which will provide SEVEN PLAYGROUNDS in Syrian refugee camps.
Together, we thought about Article 31: All children have a right to play and thanked everyone for their generous donations.
We looked forward to the opening of our new wildlife garden/corridor/strip on Monday 26th October and have asked pupils to give us their ideas for a name for this exciting new area for outdoor learning which will be available between 12.50pm and 1.15pm Monday to Thursday. Only one gate will be used with the adults who will escort and supervise and pupils were reminded that they must visit the toilet before going across.
We will officially launch Sciennes’ Playground on Saturday 31st October at 11.30am.
The Eco Group gave a presentation about their House Pine Cone competition. They weighed all the collections from each class and announced that Lauder is the winning House. Lauder will have an extra playtime as a reward for all their efforts in collecting cones for the new playground area.
Mr Howie explained the significance of our Poppy Appeal. Donations will be accepted for poppies from next week. P7 pupils will man a stall outside the Hall in the morning and at breaks.
Everyone was introduced to our new P7 House and Sports Captains. They take on these roles alongside the rest of our P7 leaders who are all Prefects within school.
Tantallon – Holly, Shawn, Rose, Matthew C
Malala introducing the The Worlds Largest Lesson from World’s Largest Lesson on Vimeo
UN at 70 30.10.2015
Sciennes continued our journey to becoming a Rights Respecting School at P4-7 Assembly on Friday 30th October.
Mr Howie explained that many of the UNESCO landmark sites around the world, including Edinburgh Castle, were lit up by blue lights last weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. (Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is also 70 this year.) Mr Howie explained the background to the United Nations and Unicef and why they were set up. 193 countries have signed the United Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) but Mr Howie asked our pupils if they believed that all children actually have these rights around the world. He then asked our pupils how they felt about not all children having their rights and to think about what they could do.
The Sciennes community has already taken action to support some Syrian refugee children to have their right to play by fundraising for the P3 Harvest Appeal. £2100 has been raised to fund seven playgrounds in refugee camps and Mr Howie asked everyone to think about what else we could do to help children have their rights locally and globally.
Our House Assemblies on 20th November will mark Universal Children’s Day, on the anniversary of the UNCRC, and Sciennes is taking part in the annual Unicef OutRight campaign. OutRight empowers children and young people to play a role in the realisation of their rights and to speak out in support of all children’s rights. This year OutRight will focus on children’s rights in humanitarian emergencies – empowering children to speak out and share their views on protecting children affected by these crises.
Our P7 Sports Captains did a wonderful job of celebrating this week’s achievements.
Our first week of using the new wildlife/nature playground area has been a great success and pupils were asked to pass on their suggestions for a name for the area to their Pupil Council rep. We look forward to the offical opening ceremony of our new playground on Saturday 31st October 11.00am-12.30pm.
Article 42 All adults and children should know about the UNCRC
Article 31 The right to play
Raising Parental Awareness 1.11. 2015
This session, we have begun a whole school initiative to become a ‘Rights Respecting School.’ You may already be aware that Curriculum for Excellence, Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) and How Good Is Our School (HGIOS) are constructed in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). We are aiming to achieve Level One accreditation in Unicef’s ‘Rights Respecting Schools Award’ (RRSA) by January 2017 and part of this process involves raising awareness of the UNCRC and the RRSA throughout our whole school community.
The children are learning about the UNCRC in Assemblies and in class and you can find out more about this initiative by following this Rights Respecting blog:
http://sciennesrrs.blogspot.co.uk
Please feel welcome to contact us if you have any comments or questions.
Thank you
Sciennes Senior Leadership Team
Global Goals on LfS Blog 3.11.2015
Thank you to Education Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability team for the Sciennes’ mention on their GlowScotland blog published on November 3, 2015 in:

OutRight House Assemblies 20th November 2015
OutRight celebrates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It takes place on the anniversary of the Convention on 20th November. In 2015, the focus is on promoting and protecting children’s rights in humanitarian emergencies around the world. Pupils at Unicef UK’s Rights Respecting Schools are encouraged to advocate for the rights of children and young people affected by humanitarian crises, build their knowledge and understanding of children’s rights, and raise their voice and views on rights with their school community and key decision-makers. Our involvement will also help our school towards meeting RRSA’s Standard D, empowering children to become active citizens and learners.
Scotland’s Climate Change March: Meadows November 28th 2015 12pm
Some members of our community might be interested in supporting the upcoming Friends of the Earth Scotland Climate Change march at the Meadows November 28th 2015 12pm.
“Show your colours for climate, justice & jobs.
Join the worldwide movement marching for a better future.
Ahead of the UN climate change negotiations in Paris,
we’ll stand up for people affected by rising global temperatures
and demand that world leaders agree an ambitious deal.
A low carbon society will create green jobs, improve our transport and food systems and protect our land, air and water.
Scotland needs to show its colours in Paris and beyond
with strong action on climate change.
Wear your brightest colours as Scotland marches on this weekend of global action.
Everyone is encouraged to attend so please invite your friends, families and followers.
The march is organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), a diverse coalition of organisations in Scotland campaigning together on climate change. Coalition members include environment, faith and international development organisations, trade and student unions and community groups.
To have a fun and successful march, we are relying on volunteers to help us steward. Could you help us on the day? For more information send an email to Paul – paul@stopclimatechaosscotland.org
Find out more at www.scotlandsclimatemarch.org
Join the conversation on Twitter using #ScotClimateMarch
Recognising and Realising Rights at Sciennes 13.11.15
On Friday 13th November 2015 we held our first session for staff to:
•Self- evaluate our current practice in light of the UNCRC
Thank you to Paul McWatt (Education Scotland’s Inclusion and Equalities Education
Officer) for providing us with such a strong lead in developing our approaches to
Rights Based Learning.
Simple Acts 13.11.2015
Food for thought, and Mr Howie’s Assemblies continue to take us all forward in recognising and realising rights. House Assemblies on 20th November will feature Unicef’s OutRight campaign and continue our focus on the Global Goals
Recognition of Commitment Certificate Awarded 14.11.2015
We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a ‘Recognition of Commitment‘ (ROC) certificate from Unicef; the initial staging post in our journey to becoming a Rights Respecting School. We are one of the first schools in Scotland to begin using Unicef’s brand new RRS logo.
Thank you to Gerry McMurtie (Senior Professional Advisor Scotland), and Jen Drummond (Strategic Lead for RRSA in City of Edinburgh and Development Officer for Mental Health and Wellbeing) for their assistance in enabling us to announce at our first staff CPD session that we had met the standard for the ROC.
Rights Without Responsibilities? 14.11.2015
The next step for Sciennes in achieving Level One of the Rights Respecting Schools Award is to establish class charters based on the UNCRC. Semantics is all, and below is some clarification and guidance about using rights based language:
Appendix 2. Clarifying rights, respect and responsibilities in the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA)
In August 2011 UNICEF UK released new guidance for class and school charters.
“Why have we recommended this change?
We want to ensure that the RRSA community is faithful to the general principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The CRC applies to all children and they are the designated rights-holders. Adults such as parents, teachers, local and central government are duty-bearers. Rights are unconditional; they are therefore not dependent upon a responsibility and cannot be taken away, earned or used as a reward. Because they are universal, however, children and adults should be encouraged to show rights-respecting behaviours. In this way individual children can both enjoy their own rights and respect the rights of others.
We want all the adults, children and young people in rights respecting schools to understand the nature of rights as inalienable, universal, unconditional, inherent and indivisible. Rights do not come with responsibilities attached. It may be possible to refer to responsibilities if you can ensure that everybody understands that children are not the duty-bearers and that the rights are not a reward for the fulfilment of a responsibility.
What is different?
Our custom and practice was to recommend that schools established a negotiated agreement which focused on children’s rights and their responsibility to behave and speak in a way which respected that right. Over time we have come to see this as a risk. By linking rights and responsibilities so closely it may lead to a fundamental misunderstanding.
The new guidance has been developed to strengthen the school ethos by incorporating the role of the duty-bearers. Our new charters are negotiated agreements which identify the rights-respecting attitudes and actions of children and adults and the language has shifted from responsibility to respect.
[…] We recommend that before you next revise your charters you provide staff training and ensure that the whole school moves to ‘rights-respecting actions or attitudes’ and ‘respect for rights’; rather than only coupling the word ‘right’ with ‘responsibility’. Constant repetition may distort the balance and have the unintended consequence that adults and children believe that access to rights is dependent on ‘responsible’or ‘good’ behaviour. Of course we want children to grow up to be ‘responsible citizens’ who behave in a way that respects the rights of others; and a school ethos of mutual respect certainly supports this.”
Universal Children’s Day 20.11.2015
1:5 Hungry for Books – Gift a Child a Preloved Book during Scottish Book Week
Sciennes’ Pupil Council is leading a ‘Hungry for Books’ campaign, launched at House Assemblies on Universal Children’s Day 20th November and taking place ONLY throughout Book Week Scotland from Monday 23rd November to Friday 27th November 2015. We have been asking our pupils how they can make simple acts to bring about change and highlighting the Global Goals at our Assemblies.
Sciennes Primary School is proud to be one of six schools in Edinburgh working with Pattie Santelices (City of Edinburgh Principal Officer Mental Health and Well Being) and committed to raising awareness of children in poverty.
The aims of the project are:
* To highlight the scale and impact of 1:5 child poverty.
* To explore cultural and structural explanations of child poverty.
* To consider the costs associated with the school day at Sciennes
* To reflect on how we can make education fairer and equitable for all
Last year, P3 pupils successfully organised a whole school Harvest appeal leading our school community to donate food items generously to Foodbank. This year, we are asking everyone to feed minds by donating at least one ‘preloved’, much loved, quality children’s book which will then be redistributed by Foodbank and other organisations.
Sciennes is one of six school hubs for the city – Central Hub – and our Pupil Council members will work with volunteer Librarians to help collect and deliver donated books.
Hungry for Books 23rd – 27th November ‘Gift a child a pre-loved book’
Did you know that 1:5 children live in poverty or have at some time in their lives? This is shocking to us in Sciennes’ Pupil Council. And we want to help. So we have decided to do a book collection. Please give a child in poverty a book to pass the time and make them feel like an ordinary child. And try to think how many hours are really in a day when you don’t have the money to buy expensive video games and other things. So please bring a book for the book bank.
Hamish Croft, P7 member of Sciennes Pupil Council
1:5 children living in poverty leave school unable to read well. These children are also less likely to have books in the home and read for pleasure. During Book Week we are seeking donations of high quality children’s books which our Pupil Council will then redistribute to children in need through Foodbank.
I would also like families in school, who would welcome an opportunity to select some books, to please contact me directly. I can assure you of my utmost discretion and confidentiality.
Alison Noble, Headteacher
Article 28 The right to learn
Kid President’s Awesome Global Goals Pep Talk 20.11.2015
On Friday 20th November 2015, Universal Children’s Day, on the anniversary of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, our P2-P7 pupils thoroughly enjoyed listening to Kid President’s ‘Pep Talk to the World’ on the Global Goals.
Last week at the P4-7 Assembly, Mr Howie shared the story of Samantha Smith, the Little Ambassador, as an example of how we can make simple acts to bring about change. Kid President (Robby Novak) began making films with his family (writer and director Brad Montague) and publishing them online, based on the belief that children have ideas worth listening to. The charming and amusing musings quickly set the Internet alight and led Robby to meet the real President, Barack Obama. The insirational pep talk to the world below – urging people to think of the world as ‘one big cool table’ where everyone is invited and everyone has enough – truly captured our pupils’ imaginations.
“This is a call to action to people all over the world. Sure, there’s lots of work to do, but there’s lots of awesome people out there in the world like you. This video was created and shown the night before world leaders met in New York on September 25 to announce the new Global Goals intended to tackle the most urgent issues of our time – poverty, inequality and more. People came together in over 100 countries to demonstrate their shared vision for a better future – from Australia to India, South Africa to Brazil – millions are taking action around the world.”
Kid President
Book Week Scotland Assemblies 27.11.2015
On Friday 27th November 2015, Sciennes’ Patron of Reading – celebrated author Janis Mackay – presented at both P1-3 and P4-7 Scottish Book Week Assemblies. Thank you to Ms Bethan Owen for leading our school wide Book Week celebrations with Janis so successfully:
Sciennes’ Pupil Council thanked everyone for supporting City of Edinburgh’s 1:5 Child Poverty Awareness project throughout Scottish Book Week by donating preloved, much loved and gift condition books to a child via Foodbank and other organisations.
Please note that the project has been extended at Sciennes and we will still be collecting donated books until Wednesday 2nd December. We hope to see you at the Winter Fair on Saturday 28th November 12pm-3pm. Coming along? Could your child select a favourite, high quality book to bring to gift to a child in need?
Article 28 The right to learn
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
1000 Pre-Loved Books Donated 11.1.2016
Throughout December, our Pupil Council worked with our Librarian, Mrs Katherine Peace, to sort and categorise over 1000 quality, pre-loved books which were donated before Christmas to Foodbank and other local charities.
Grateful thanks to everyone who supported our Hungry for Books appeal with City of Edinburgh Council.
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
Article 28 The right to learn
JGHS Donate a Pencil Case Appeal 22.1.2016
On Friday 22nd January 2016 we welcomed former pupils Jessica, Katie and Anna to speak to our pupils at Assembly. The girls are now in their Sixth Year at James Gillespie’s High School and are about to embark on a visit to Zwelibanzi High School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as part of a longstanding twinning between the cluster schools. Pupils and families have been asked to support JGHS’s annual ‘Donate a Pencil Case’ appeal. Donations will be gratefully received and can be handed to the School Office until 9th February. Jessica, Katie and Anna will collect them before they fly off on 11th February.
Learning About Our Rights from P1-P7 24.1.16
Sciennes has a whole school focus on three UNCRC articles from P1-P7:
The right to learn
The right to be safe
The right to play
Classes focus on other articles when these are relevant to their learning.
All 42 Articles are contained in this slideshow, with simplified language.
Article 42 All adults and children should know about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Holocaust Memorial Day 27.1.2016
Our three Primary Seven classes are attending a special showcase of ‘Inside Hana’s Suitcase’ at the Filmhouse Cinema on Wednesday 27th January 2016, to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. Our Class Teachers are experienced in handling this topic sensitively each year to help us learn lessons in how we treat one another. Mr Howie, who is a trained Holocaust Educator, has also been working with our P7 pupils.
1 in 5 – The Make A Difference Award 31.1.2016
1 in 5 Raising Awareness of Child Poverty in Edinburgh – The Make A Difference Award
What would you do with £250 to help Make a Difference?
Sciennes’ Pupil Council met on Friday 29th January to plan a school wide launch of City of Edinburgh’s ‘Make a Difference Award‘. Pupils will take the lead in encouraging fellow pupils, classes, staff and parents to submit ideas of how they would use the award money to help make a difference to children and families living on or below the poverty line in our school community.
Your ideas might involve:
- Raising awareness of the realities of living in poverty in the UK.
- Contribute towards reducing school costs e.g. uniform, trips, books and resources for those most in need.
- Support income/benefits advice and management for families.
Any other ideas you might have to Make a Difference?
Schools will submit their top three ideas for judging by an independent panel. the winners from each school will then be invited to present their idea at the 1 in 5 Launch and Roll Out event on the 22nd March before receiving the £250 award money to take forward their idea in their school.
Who can enter?
Individual or groups of staff, parent councils, individual pupils or classes/tutor groups.
Submission dates for ideas?
FRIDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2016
How do I/ we enter?
Contact your school to receive a Make a Difference Award submission form. Pupil ideas will be collected in class.
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
Article 28 The right to learn
Jonathan’s Re-Act Scotland Presentation 29.1.2016
Jonathan in P7B, assisted by Sam, gave a superb presentation to the P4-7 Assembly on Friday 29th January 2016 explaining how he has made a difference by supporting the Re-Act Scotland charity for Syrian refugees. He demonstrated how he has achieved the ‘Me and My World’ section of the Junior Award Scheme Schools and provided an exemplar model for other pupils to follow. Very well done, Jonathan!
Jonathan’s Re-Act Scotland Presentation from SciennesPS
Here’s how you can help: support one of the international charities
- Mercy Corps
- British Red Cross Appeal
- Oxfam
- Save the Children’s Child Refugee Crisis Appeal
- Refugee Council Crisis Appeal
- UNHCR’s Emergency Appeal
- UNICEF
- The World Food Programme
- Refugee Action’s Emergency Appeal – the money raised will support refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK
- Or of course, support Re-Act Scotland locally here in Edinburgh
Hopscotch Theatre “We’ve Got the Right” 31.1.2016
We have been learning Hopscotch Theatre’s “We’ve Got the Right” song and look forward to their visit to school for two performances of their production “The Rights of the Child” in March for P1-P7 pupils.
Hopscotch “We’ve Got the Right” Song from SciennesPS
Don’t Stand By 31.1.2016
Article 22 The right to have help if you are a refugee
Sciennes Values Respect 5.2.2016
At the P4-7 Assembly on Friday 5th February 2016 P7 House Captains helped us think about the Golden Rule and how it can help us to RESPECT each other’s RIGHTS.
Fergus from the Pupil Council explained the 1 in 5 Make a Difference Award. Pupil Council leaders will collect class ideas next week. (P6 pupils can contribute their ideas when they get back from camp.)
P6 pupils will achieve one quarter of their Bronze JASS Award – the Adventure Certificate – when they attend Benmore Outdoor Education Centre next week.
How Would You Make a Difference? 6.2.2016
1 in 5 Raising Awareness of Child Poverty in Edinburgh – The Make A Difference Award
What would you do with £250 to help Make a Difference?
Sciennes’ Pupil Council have planned a school wide launch of City of Edinburgh’s ‘Make a Difference Award‘. Pupils are taking the lead in encouraging fellow pupils, classes, staff and parents to submit ideas of how they would use the award money to help make a difference to children and families living on or below the poverty line in our school community.
Your ideas might involve:
- Raising awareness of the realities of living in poverty in the UK.
- Contribute towards reducing school costs e.g. uniform, trips, books and resources for those most in need.
- Support income/benefits advice and management for families.
Any other ideas you might have to Make a Difference?
Schools will submit their top three ideas for judging by an independent panel. the winners from each school will then be invited to present their idea at the 1 in 5 Launch and Roll Out event on the 22nd March before receiving the £250 award money to take forward their idea in their school.
Who can enter?
Individual or groups of staff, parent councils, individual pupils or classes/tutor groups.
Submission dates for ideas?
FRIDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2016
How do I/ we enter?
Contact your school to receive a Make a Difference Award submission form. Pupil ideas will be collected in class.
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
Article 28 The right to learn
Green Hearts Show the Love Campaign 7.2.2016
Make, Wear, Share a green heart this Valentine’s Day to raise awareness of Climate Change and #ShowTheLove for what could be lost.
P1 Class Charter 14.2.2016
We have been learning about our rights and responsibilities – we know that all children have the right to play, learn and feel safe. We carried out an art activity to complete our class charter – Miss Gallagher joined us for our lesson too!
Miss Gladstone, P1 Class Teacher
#ShowTheLove Climate Change Campaign 14.2.2016
91 Primary Six pupils got together on Tuesday evening to Make and Share a collage heart of natural materials scavenged in the grounds of Benmore Outdoor Education Centre. They were keen to get involved in a Valentine’s Day campaign to raise awareness of Climate Change and #ShowTheLove for what could be lost.
http://fortheloveof.org.uk/show-the-love-green-hearts/
Global Goal 13
SHANARRI P4-7 Assembly 26.2.2016
On Friday 26th February 2016, House Captains helped explain SHANARRI and what we all need to be healthy and well. Pupils learned a ‘SHANARRI’ song, ready for our visit from Hopscotch Theatre on Thursday 10th March with their production “The Rights of the Child.”
(SHANARRI stands for Safe, Healthy, Active, Nurtured, Achieving, Respected, Responsible and Included – the key wellbeing indicators that form the basis of GIRFEC Getting it Right for Every Child.)
Thank you to P7 pupils Luke and Lena and to Ms Kennedy (Support for Learning Specialist and Reading Co-ordinator) for their presentation about the exciting launch of our new Playground Reading Shed on World Book Day, Thursday 3rd March.
Sciennes SHANARRI P4-7 Assembly 25.2.16 from SciennesPS
Article 24
You have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and information.
Global Goal 3
Fairtrade Fortnight Breakfast 26.2.2016
We hope families will consider joining this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight campaign – “You eat, they eat” by choosing some Fairtrade products, at breakfast time particularly.
See link for further information:
http://fortnight.fairtrade.org.uk
#FairtradeFortnight
#YouEatTheyEat
Global Goal 10
UN GLOBAL GOALS for 2030
Sciennes South Africa Pencil Case Donations 2.3.2016
To Sciennes parents and pupils, a huge thank you for all your pencil case donations. We were overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity. We have just returned from South Africa and it was fantastic to be able to give your gifts to the children fron Charles Memorial primary school where they were greatly appreciated. The children were so excited as you can see from the attached photos.
Thanks once again,
Jessica, Anna, Katie and Amy
James Gillespie’s High School
ChangeWorks Waste Week P4-7 Litter Assembly 4.3.2016
On Friday 4th March 2016 at Assembly, Arleen Sinclair from ChangeWorks successfully challenged P4-7 pupils to think about how we can reduce waste by recycling and re-using and how to make sure our playground and school are Grade A Litter Free. Our ECO team will meet next week (Waste Week) to discus and decide how to take forward improvements.
House Captains helped celebrate the launch of our wonderful new Playground Reading Shed on World Book Day (3rd March) and pupils’ recent achievements.
Global Goal 12
Grade ‘A’ Today! 9.3.2016
Some of our Eco Team members were at the ready today with our brand new litter pickers and found… they didn’t need to use them! Great impact from Arleen’s ChangeWorks Litter Assembly on Friday with her message which challenged us all to reduce litter and waste and aim for a Grade ‘A’ playground! Let’s keep it that way!
Scotland’s Play Strategy 9.3.2016

“Playing is central to children’s physical, mental, social and emotional health and wellbeing and is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Through play, children develop resilience and flexibility, contributing to physical and emotional wellbeing.”
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00493571.pdf
Article 31
You have the right to play and relax by doing things like sport, music and drama.
Article 15
Article 12
You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously.
Eurochild Drawing Competition 9.3.2016
Sciennes Primary School is aiming to become recognised as one of Unicef’s Rights Respecting Schools. Throughout this year we have been focusing on Rights Education and embedding respect for children’s rights in our school. We are maintaining a school blog on our progress towards becoming a Rights Respecting School.
Raising awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) throughout our school community is one of our key aims, so we would like to invite your child to participate in a drawing competition. If you wish to take part, please submit your child’s drawing online at:
https://eurochild.wufoo.eu/forms/sketch-my-rights by 15th April 2016.
Please feel welcome to give a copy of your child’s drawing to Ms Anstruther, Ms Gallagher or Mrs Noble.
Thank you,
Sciennes Senior Learning Team
Picture your rights and bring your voice to the Eurochild Conference 2016!
Upload a drawing of a right you think matters most to you! Your drawings will feature in Eurochild’s conference materials and you could win a trip to meet European officials and other young people like you in Brussels! Read more about the Eurochild Conference 2016 here.
Article 42
Hopscotch ‘Rights of the Child’ 10.3.2016
Article 42
All adults and children should know about this convention.
The show links to rights being being unconditional in a very clear and fun way! RRSA and Scottish Government/Education Scotland focuses on the message that children do not need to do anything to have rights, which comes across excellently in Hopscotch’s ‘Rights of the the Child’.
Hopscotch’s involvement in Scottish school pupils’ lives is a creative and stimulating experience. Education performances such as ‘Rights of the Child’ continue to develop the breadth of experience that Curriculum for Excellence is designed to deliver.
We’ve All Got Rights Song 11.3.2016
Article 42
All adults and children should know about this convention.
Pupil Council at Scottish Parliament 12.3.2016
1 in 5 Raising Awareness of Child Poverty in Edinburgh – The Make A Difference Award
Schools were invited to submit ideas on what they would do with £250 to help Make a Difference. Five members of Sciennes’ Pupil Council have been invited to the Scottish Parliament to submit our best ideas to City of Edinburgh’s ‘1 in 5’ Make a Difference Award Ceremony on Wednesday 16th March. Ms Anstruther will accompany.
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
Angela Burdett-Coutts’ Philanthropy 11.3.2016
Mr Howie led our P4-7 Assembly on Friday 11th March 2016, cleverly linking recent learning in P5 Old Edinburgh, P6 Jacobites, World Book Day and International Women’s Day with Rights Education in his tale of the mightily impressive Victorian philanthropist, Angela Burdett-Coutts. Her philanthropy and influence were even more remarkable at a time when women could not yet vote.
Mr Howie encouraged everyone to keep thinking about how we can each make a difference and praised pupils Alex and Rory for their initiative in organising donations of Easter eggs for Foodbank at school.
P7 Reader Leader, Toby, explained how everyone can help keep the Playground Reading Shed organised and Lena told us about the Eurochild Drawing competition.
Sport Relief is on Friday 18th March and our P7 Sports Captains demonstrated Out of the Ark’s “Step It Up” Sport Relief dance. They informed pupils about signing up online to local Run, Cycle, Swim events next weekend and invited us to dress up in sports gear or P.E. kit on Friday. Sports Captains will collect any donations on the day.
Philanthropy P4-7 Assembly 11.3.16 from SciennesPS
Article 2 The right to protection against discrimination
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
Making a Difference 18.3.2016
Sciennes Make A Difference and Sport Relief Assembly 18.3.16 from SciennesPS
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Pattie Santelices and Ms Anstruther present at Assembly |
Pattie Santelices, City of Edinburgh Principal Officer Health and Wellbeing, joined our Assembly on Friday 18th March 2016 to share information about City of Edinburgh’s 1 in 5 Child Poverty Awareness project. Ms Anstruther accompanied five Sciennes Pupil Council members to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 14th March and she announced that two of our P2 pupils, Emma and Bella, have won an award for their idea to ‘Make a Difference!’ They cleverly suggested that school could keep a ‘dressing up’ box of costumes for pupils to borrow and their idea was awarded £250! Ms Anstruther invited everyone to donate any unused costumes to school to add to the collection for borrowing.
We were all absolutely delighted when Pattie announced that P6B pupil Asma’s poster, highlighting 1 in 5 Child Poverty, has been selected as overall winner and will be used in campaign literature throughout Edinburgh! Pattie presented Asma with a framed copy of her artwork and a certificate. Runner up P6C pupil Samara also received a framed copy of her artwork. All the children who entered the competition received special highlighter pens for their contribution in highlighting 1 in 5 child poverty. Thank you to Art Club Teacher, Heather Lucchesi, and to Ms Anstruther for helping the pupils express their ideas so well visually.
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Overall 1 in 5 Poster competition winner, Asma, with Pattie Santelices |
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Great achievement, Asma! |
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Runner up Samara |
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Highlighting 1 in 5 Child Poverty |
All the pupils were congratulated for helping to Make a Difference by dressing up in sports gear and P.E. kit and donating to Sport Relief. Our end of day total was £450! Congratulations to Ella, Ailsa and Sarah for showing great initiative in organising their own bake sale and raising £14. Very well done to P7A and P5C girls who raised an incredible total of more than £400 rollerskating across the Forth Road Bridge! We look forward to hearing about any other personal fundraising efforts from our pupils since many are taking part in local run, swim or cycle events this weekend.
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Extraordinary Sport Relief fundraising P7A and P5c girls! |
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Ella, Ailsa and Sarah baked to raise £14 for Sport Relief. Great initiative! |
P7 Sports Captains congratulated pupils for their achievements this week and led everyone in singing the Sport Relief song, “Step It Up”.
Special commendation to Alex, Rory and Alex for their initiative in Making a Difference by organising a school collection of Easter eggs for Foodbank. Outstanding citizens! Thank you to everyone who donated.
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
Make a Difference Award of £250! 18.3.2016
Sciennes is one of six city schools taking part in a City of Edinburgh pilot project to raise awareness of 1 in 5 Child Poverty and explore ways to reduce the cost of the school day. Depute Head, Ms Carolyn Anstruther, accompanied five Sciennes Pupil Council members to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 14th March and she announced at Assemblies on Friday 18th March that two of our P2 pupils, Emma and Bella, have won an award for their idea to ‘Make a Difference!’ They realised that events like World Book Day can cause expense for families so cleverly suggested that school could keep a ‘dressing up’ box of costumes for pupils to borrow and their idea was awarded £250! Ms Anstruther invited everyone to donate any unused costumes to school to add to the collection for borrowing.
Sciennes Pupil Council at the Scottish Parliament |
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
P2 Pupils Address CEC 1 in 5 Child Poverty Conference 22.3.2016
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Confident Individuals, Emma and Bella, with Ms Carolyn Anstruther DHT |
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Audience at Faith Misson, Edinburgh 1 in 5 Child Poverty Awareness Conference |
Sciennes is one of six city schools taking part in a City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) pilot project to raise awareness of 1 in 5 Child Poverty and explore ways to reduce the cost of the school day. Depute Head, Ms Carolyn Anstruther, and Headteacher, Mrs Alison Noble, accompanied P2 pupils, Emma and Bella, to the Faith Mission in Edinburgh on Tuesday 22nd March. In front of a huge gathered audience of Headteachers and school leaders, the P2 girls spoke about their award winning idea to ‘Make a Difference.’ They realised that events like World Book Day can cause expense for families so cleverly suggested that school could keep a ‘dressing up’ box of costumes for pupils to borrow and their idea was awarded £250! Ms Anstruther has invited everyone to donate any old, grown out of, costumes to school to add to the collection for borrowing.
Everyone is immensely proud of the terrific confidence shown by Emma and Bella and they were congratulated at the P1-3 and P4-7 Assemblies on Thursday 24th March.
Article 12 The right to be heard
Article 26 The right to have help if you are poor or in need
Article 27 The right to have a good enough standard of living
Rights Hall Display Completed 13.4.2016
World Art Day House Assemblies 15.4.2016
On Friday, 15th April 2016, Sciennes’ four Houses – Grange, Lauder, Sienna and Tanatallon – celebrated World Art Day on the birth date of Leonardo da Vinci. House and Sports Captains shared information about their favourite artists. Sciennes’ annual Swimathon event takes place week beginning 25th April and we are supporting UNICEF’s Day for Change on Friday 13th May.
A reminder that Monday 18th April is a holiday.
Please collect loose change and bring to school on Friday 13th May to support Unicef’s ‘Day for Change.’ Thank you.
P4-7 Earth Day Assembly 22.4.16
On Friday 22nd April 2016, we celebrated Earth Day by watching the Climate Coalition’s film (scripted by Michael Morpurgo and starring Jeremy Irons) and Greenpeace’s “Give the Earth a Hand” video.
We also commemorated the 400th Anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare (23rd April 1616) and asked pupils to play their part in making a difference.
A feeder ride will meet tomorrow at Sciennes at 11.00am to join the main Pedal on Parliament ride at 12.00pm on the Meadows, Saturday 23rd April, and pupils were encouraged to continue to walk, scoot and cycle to school, to play their part in tackling climate change.
P7 pupil, Toby Ward, showed how he had made a difference by donating his time volunteering at a local Food Bank as part of his Silver JASS award.
House Captains congratulated fellow pupils on recent achievements and reminded everyone about our annual Swimathon, taking place next week.
We informed pupils at both Assemblies this morning that the cones will be removed today, so our playground will be open fully on Monday 25th April.
Equal Rights Assembly P4-7 29.4.16
Sciennes P4-7 Equal Rights Assembly 29.4.16 from SciennesPS
Mr Howie led the P4-7 Equal Rights Assembly on Friday 29th April 2016. He explored a definition of ‘prejudice’ with the pupils and asked them to consider how they can play a part in making sure everyone is included. P7 Sports Captains announced how well each House had done in our fantastic Swimathon this week, swimming the equivalent of Sciennes to Benmore! Sports Captains also congratulated pupils on recent achievements and Yash – who won both Racquet tournaments last year – presented the EPSSA Badminton trophy to this year’s winner, Ellen. Well done to Erin who came runner up in both Badminton AND Tennis tournaments.
Global Goals: end poverty, combat climate change and fight injustice and inequality.
Unicef Day for Change 13th May 3.5.2016
Please collect loose change and bring to school on Friday 13th May to support Unicef’s ‘Day for Change.’ Thank you. Pupils can wear blue, if you wish.
Unicef Day for Change Friday 13th May 4.5.2016
UNICEF supports children by providing protection, health care, nutrition and education.
Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children in over 190 countries. Make a donation and help us save children’s lives across the world.
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Sciennes Senior Leadership Team
World Day for Cultural Diversity 21st May 20.5.2016
Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion
In 2011, a grassroots campaign ‘Do One Thing For Diversity and Inclusion’, celebrating the annual World Day for Cultural Diversity was launched by UNESCO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
By encouraging people and organizations from around the world to take concrete action to support diversity, the campaign aims:
- To raise awareness worldwide about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and inclusion.
- To build a world community of individuals committed to support diversity with real and every day-life gestures.
- To combat polarization and stereotypes to improve understanding and cooperation among people from different cultures.
On Friday 20th May we will share information with pupils at Assembly about our International Summer Fair on Saturday 4th June. We will also celebrate the tremendous progress in City of Edinburgh’s 1+2 Languages at Sciennes this year, so ably led by our Languages Co-ordinator Bethan Owen, and thank our three Spanish support assistants – Primary Student Volunteer Language Assistant Initiative (FLO project): Manuel, Sergio and Isabel. We have also been extremely fortunate to host Erasmus Scholarship Spanish student Ana Vidal, final year Bilingual Primary Education Teacher from the Complutense University of Madrid.
Our P7 Sports Captains are preparing a presentation on Olympic and Paralympic values:
- respect – fair play; knowing one’s own limits; and taking care of one’s health and the environment
- excellence – how to give the best of oneself, on the field of play or in life; taking part; and progressing according to one’s own objectives
- friendship – how, through sport, to understand each other despite any differences
You have the right to protection against discrimination.
The right to enjoy your own culture, practise your own religion and use your own language.
Global Goals: end poverty, combat climate change and fight injustice and inequality.
NSPCC ChildLine P6 and P7 Workshops 9.5.2016
ChildLine Schools Service
P6 24th MAY and P7 26th MAY
The ChildLine Schools Service is a programme delivered by ChildLine staff and volunteers for every child in the UK in Years 5 /6 ( in England & Wales) and Primary 6/7 (in Scotland & Northern Ireland). ChildLine have been providing presentations and workshops for our P6 and P7 classes every two years since 2012, which complements City of Edinburgh’s longstanding personal safety programmes “Keeping Myself Safe” and “Keeping Myself eSafe” in P6 and P7. Parents/Carers received an email about the ChildLine workshops before the Easter holiday.
They will be holding a stage assembly presentation and then a class-based workshop about keeping safe for each class in P6 and P7 on 24th and 26th May.
The ChildLine Schools Service aims to give children:
* An understanding of abuse in all its forms including bullying, and an ability to recognise the signs of abuse
* Knowledge of how to protect themselves from all forms of abuse
* An awareness of how to get help and sources of help, including ChildLine.
The ChildLine Schools Service has discussed with us the content of the assembly and workshop. We are confident that they are appropriate for primary school aged children. All presentations will be delivered in a child-friendly and sensitive style.
After taking part in the programme, children will be asked to give their feedback online with school staff present. The ChildLine Schools Service would also very much welcome your feedback. If you would like to share your thoughts, please go to www.nspcc.org.uk/parentsfeedback when your child has completed the programme.
Article 19
You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated.
Article 34
Day for Loose Change Friday 13th May 10.5.2016
Message to schools from Michael Sheen, UK Unicef Ambassador
Day for Change is getting closer. On Friday 13th May we are asking for donations of loose change to raise money to help Unicef protect children affected by the conflict in Syria. Unicef Ambassador Michael Sheen, who recently visited a refugee camp in Lebanon, has a special message for you.
This year, the UK Government will double our Unicef Day for Change donation. Pupils can wear blue on Friday, if you wish.
Thank you.
Rights Respecting Schools Inspection Wed 11th May 10.5.2016
Governments must make the Convention known to children and adults.
Sciennes: A Rights Respecting School
Sciennes Primary began our journey towards Level 1 accreditation of Unicef’s ‘Rights Respecting Schools Award’ in September 2015. We applied to be considered for the programme in October 2015 and were awarded a Level of Commitment Certificate soon after. The Timeline on this blog:
https://sciennesrrs.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html
documents our progress towards ensuring that everyone in our school community becomes aware of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and that we use it to underpin our values in embedding Rights Based Learning.
Unicef Day for Change P4-7 Assembly 13.5.16
On Friday 13th May at the P4-7 Assembly we reflected on our Rights Respecting Schools Level One Inspection on Wednesday 11th May. We celebrated achieving a Level One Award and all the positive feedback we received. We also thought about some of Unicef‘s recommendations for our next steps towards the Level Two Award. We thanked everyone for generously donating their loose change to Unicef on the ‘Day for Change’ and thought about what we could change to help us make sure everyone knows about children’s rights – at Sciennes and in other countries.
P7 Captains took on the task of collecting and counting the loose change. There was so much that they will have to resume counting next week! Thank you very much to everyone who donated. P7 Captains told us about the crisis in Syria and how children’s rights are being affected. The money raised today will help Unicef support Syrian refugee children.
Mr Howie showed a video ‘If the world were 100 people’ to continue to help us think about equal rights. P7 Captains congratulated pupils on recent achievements. Next week’s assembly will be at 9.50am and will focus on CEC 1+2 Languages for World Diversity Day.
Article 42 All adults and children should know about the UNCRC
Article 29 You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for others’ rights and the environment.
P4-7 Assembly UN World Day for Cultural Diversity 20.5.2016
Sciennes World Culture and Diversity P4-7 Assembly 20.5.16 from Sciennes Primary School
On Friday 20th May at our P4-7 Assembly we celebrated all the fabulous Language learning that has been happening at Sciennes, so ably led by Ms Bethan Owen, and thanked our three wonderful Language volunteers, Isabel, Sergio and Miguel, as well as our excellent final year Bilingual Primary Education student, Ana Vidal, from Madrid University.
We made suggestions for cultural activities that our children might get involved in over the weekend to celebrate UN World Day for Cultural Diversity on May 21st and were delighted to note so many of our children already take part in similar activities to the ones suggested.
We also looked forward to Sciennes Parent Council’s exciting International Fair on SATURDAY 4th JUNE 12pm-3pm and found out more about the mysterious yarnbombing phenomenon, which has decorated our playground overnight!
Next week, each class will contribute to City of Edinburgh’s 1+2 Twitter campaign and we used some examples of Tweets already happening this week, to give everyone ideas!
We started the day at 8am with a ‘Walking Bus’ and ended it at 12pm with an ECO Schools Clean Up Campaign. P6 pupils Laura and Arooj explained very clearly and confidently how these two events helped us make a difference in tackling Climate Change (Global Goal 13).
It was wonderful to welcome the team from Nourish Scotland to school on Thursday 19th May, who were gathering children’s views about The Right to Food’ for Tam Baillie, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner.
Unfortunately we ran out of time to hear from our Sports Captains on the presentations they have created about Olympic Values and Fencing, and the Day for Change count is still ongoing! Another very busy week at Sciennes!
Article 30
The right to enjoy your own culture, practise your own religion and use your own language.
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