The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child
At Taylor High our vision is for all young people to be included, safe and fulfilling their God-given potential. We CARE about growing as a community of faith and learning which fosters Compassion, Ambition, Respect and Encouragement based on the example and teachings of Christ.
One way we can make this vision a reality is by taking a rights-based approach to our interactions with young people, ensuring that they are aware of their rights and have a real voice in the decision making within our community. Since 2021, Taylor High as been on a journey to gain the Rights Respecting Schools Award, a three stage award which confirms our commitment to and embedding of rights within the school.
What makes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child so special?
The Convention has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child’s life and set out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children and young people everywhere are entitled to. It also explains how adults and governments must work together to make sure all children can enjoy all their rights.
Every child and young person under the age of 18 has rights, no matter what their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other characteristic.
The Convention must be understood as a whole: all rights are linked and no right is more important than another. The right to relax and play (article 31) and the right to freedom of expression (article 13) are as important as the right to be safe from violence (article 19) and the right to education (article 28)
The Rights Respecting Schools Award
The Rights Respecting Schools Award supports schools to embed the Convention in their practice to improve wellbeing and help all children and young people to realise their potential.
The Award takes a whole school approach to child rights and human rights education. Child rights education can be defined as: learning about rights, through rights and for rights within a context of education as a right.
The Rights Respecting Schools Award aims to build the capacity of children and young people as rights-holders to claim their rights, and the capacity of adults as duty bearers to fulfil their obligations. Child rights education helps adults, children and young people to work together. It provides the space and encouragement for the meaningful participation and sustained civic engagement of children and young people.
Taylor High was awarded the Bronze: Rights Committed Award in 2022 and we are currently working on gaining the Silver: Rights Aware Award.
