Courageous Advocacy

At Newnham St. Peter's, we believe in empowering our pupils to be courageous advocates for positive change in our community and the wider world. Rooted in our Christian values and inspired by our school vision to "cherish everyone, flourish together, and serve others," we encourage our pupils to stand up for what is right and to make a difference in the lives of others.

What is Courageous Advocacy?

Courageous advocacy involves speaking out against injustice, supporting those in need, and taking action to address important issues in our society and environment. It requires bravery, compassion, and a commitment to making the world a better place.

Our Approach:

Awareness and Education: We integrate discussions about local and global issues into our curriculum, helping pupils understand the challenges facing our world today.
Empathy and Compassion: Through our Christian ethos, we nurture empathy and compassion, encouraging pupils to consider the perspectives and needs of others.
Action and Service: We provide opportunities for pupils to engage in meaningful service projects and advocacy initiatives, putting their values into practice.
Pupil Voice: We empower our pupils to speak up about issues they care about, fostering leadership skills and confidence.

Examples of Courageous Advocacy at Newnham St. Peter's:

Eco-Warriors: Our pupils lead a school-wide initiative to reduce plastic waste. They've organised a recycling programme and educated everyone about environmental conservation.
Community Litter Picking: Our pupils organise and participate in large-scale litter picking events within the village community, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and community service.
SCARF Day: We hold an annual SCARF Day to raise awareness about diversity and bullying. This day promotes inclusivity, respect, and kindness amongst our pupils.
Pre-loved Uniform Initiative: Working with the PTFA, we have raised funds for a container to store and distribute pre-loved school uniforms. This initiative encourages parents to buy second-hand uniforms, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.
Play Leaders: We have a team of pupil play leaders who support inclusive team play and provide peer support. These leaders actively stand against bullying and exclusion, ensuring all pupils feel welcome and included during playtimes.
Donkey Sanctuary Support: One of our pupils has organised fundraising events to support a donkey sanctuary, learning about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.
RNLI Fundraising: One of our pupils has organised fundraising events to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, recognising the vital role they play in saving lives at sea.
Little Princess Trust: One of our brave pupils raised money for this charity by cutting her hair, demonstrating personal sacrifice for the benefit of others.
Disability Awareness: We regularly invite children with disabilities to speak to our pupils about the challenges they face, promoting understanding and inclusivity.
Overcoming Adversity: Our sports coach, who has a disability, shares his journey of overcoming challenges to become a sports leader, inspiring our pupils to persevere and achieve their goals.
Food Bank Collections: Working with St. Peter's Church, our pupils regularly collect and donate food items to the local food bank, learning about food poverty in our community.
Global Awareness: Our Key Stage 2 pupils researched and created presentations on global water pollution, raising awareness and planning on raising funds for a clean water project.
The Children's Society: We support this charity annually through our Christingle celebrations, helping vulnerable children across the country.
Forest Food Bank: Our Harvest Festival donations benefit this local charity each year, addressing food poverty in our community.
NSPCC: We engage in initiatives to support NSPCC's crucial work in protecting children and preventing abuse.
National Campaigns: We participate annually in Comic Relief and Children in Need, teaching our pupils about national-scale charitable efforts.
The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal: Our school community honours and supports veterans and their families through this annual campaign.
Local Wildlife Protection & Bee Protection Campaign: One of our pupils wants to initiate a campaign to protect wildlife habitats and bees in our local area, raising awareness about the importance of pollinators and creating bee-friendly gardens.

The Impact of Courageous Advocacy

By engaging in courageous advocacy, our pupils learn to:

Think critically about complex issues.
Develop empathy and global awareness.
Take responsible action to effect positive change.
Grow in confidence and leadership skills.
Live out our Christian values in practical ways.

As we nurture courageous advocates at Newnham St. Peter's, we are helping to shape compassionate, active citizens who will contribute positively to their communities and the world beyond.

We invite parents and community members to support these efforts. If you have ideas for advocacy projects or would like to get involved, please contact our school office.