Global awareness is paramount for our children as it lays the foundation for understanding the interconnectedness of our world and fosters empathy and respect for diverse cultures and perspectives.
Introducing children to global issues at a young age not only broadens their understanding of the world beyond their immediate surroundings but also instils a sense of responsibility towards global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and human rights violations.
By nurturing global awareness early on, children develop the critical thinking skills needed to become informed and active global citizens who can contribute positively to a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
At Newcomen Primary School, we take a multifaceted approach to promoting global citizenship:
- Religious Education (RE) and Collective Worship: We integrate global themes into our RE and collective worship sessions. This allows our pupils to explore different faiths, world issues and core values; helping them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of global cultures.
- Eco Club and Environmental Initiatives: Our school has an active Eco Club with representatives from different year groups. They participate in activities to reduce our carbon footprint, such as monitoring energy consumption, promoting recycling and raising awareness about climate change. We take part in workshops on environmental issues like reducing single-use plastics.
- Global Citizenship and Community Engagement: We encourage our students to become active global citizens. Through our school council, pupils engage in projects that impact both our local community and the wider world. This includes fundraising for local charities, participating in community clean-ups and joining global events like World Environment Day.
- Educational Trips and Workshops: We organise educational trips and workshops focused on global issues, such as sustainable development and renewable energy. These experiences help broaden our students’ understanding of their role in creating a sustainable future.
- Global Awareness through Curriculum and Special Events: We embed global themes into our curriculum and observe special events like Safer Internet Day, World Earth Day and Parliament Week. These events help our students understand important concepts like democracy, online safety, environmental stewardship and their rights; fostering a sense of responsibility and informed citizenship.
- Charitable Activities and Fundraising: We actively participate in fundraising activities for various local and global charities teaching our students the importance of helping others in need.
- Student Empowerment: By involving our students in these initiatives, we aim to empower them to become courageous advocates for positive change. They learn to take responsibility for their actions and understand how they can make a difference in both their local community and the wider world.
Through these actions, we strive to nurture our students into compassionate, informed and proactive global citizens.
