Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with pupils and guests at the presentation ceremony in the school. Included are Eilish Friel, chair, Board of Governors, the Deputy Mayor of Derry, Alderman Gary Middleton, Anne Marie Poynor, WELB, Frances Bestley, programme director, Patricia Lewsle -Mooney, Chikdren’s Commissioner, Jacinta Bradley, principal, Mark Drukan, MP. David McGimpsey, UNICEF, Siobhan Gillen, Mrs. Majella Coyle, and Mrs. Roisin Cassidy, teachers.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness visited a Derry primary school today to congratulate it on achieving Level 2 Rights Respecting School status.
St Anne’s PS in Rosemount had already attained Level 1 status.
The Rights Respecting Schools initiative is run by UNICEF and recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos.
There are 139 Rights Respecting Schools in the North and only 14 have achieved Level 2.
Speaking during his visit to the school, Mr McGuinness said Attaining the Level 2 Rights Respecting Schools Award was a “great achievement” for the school and the entire city.
He added: “I congratulate Mrs Bradley, school principal and everyone within the St. Anne’s community for their foresight in participating in such a worthwhile programme.
“To be in the presence of young people from my home City who are learning key life skills at such a young age is just brilliant.
Deputy First Minister and Frances Bestley, programme director, UNICEF, presenting the Level 2 Rights Respecting School status award to pupils Rianne Doherty and Jude Power. Included are David McGimpsey, UNICEF, and Mrs. Jactina Bradley, principal. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography
“The pupils of St. Anne’s are a great source of hope and confidence for the future.
“Through listening to their teachers, classroom assistants and parents the young people of St. Anne’s will be ready to follow their dreams with confidence and respect.
“It has been a great pleasure to be here today and I commend and congratulate everyone at St. Anne’s.
“The children within St. Anne’s are already demonstrating healthy respect for themselves and for others.
He concluded: “Through the involvement and energy of all our young people we can shape a society that is creative, inclusive and open to new possibilities.”
Patricia Lewsley Mooney, the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People and p7 pupils, Cormac McGinley and Blaithin Doherty, from the School Council, also spoke.
The award was presented by David McGimpsey of UNICEF Northern Ireland and Anne-Marie Poyner of the Western Education and Library Board.
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