Global Dignity Day Report 2014 1
Beaconhouse has actively taken part in Global Dignity Day to raise dignity awareness since 2011. This year, Global Dignity Day was celebrated on Wednesday October 15, 2014, across all Beaconhouse schools in 9 countries, including TNS Beaconhouse, Beaconhouse Newlands and The Educators schools. Over 117,236 students, parents, teachers and community members participated in this year’s Global Dignity Day celebrations across the system. As an organisational partner of Global Dignity, our emphasis has been to embed dignity into the curriculum and activities. The activities conducted throughout the year are to develop awareness and dignity as the basic guiding principle for all actions. Through these activities, our students easily identified the connection between the theme of Dignity and various situations that affect their everyday lives. Beaconhouse collaborated with underprivileged and government schools to share the message of Global Dignity across Pakistan. 2
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7 Dignity Ambassadors: Learning to Lead 8 ‘Knowing you, knowing me’ 9 11 12 13
Sending my Message Symbolizing Unity Exploring New Horizons
A Tapestry of Hope
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To be Worth a Thousand Words….14
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Light a Torch
Dignity Convention
Contents Highlights
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Summaries
Communications
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The Educators
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International Summaries
Southern Region
Beaconhouse Newlands
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TNS Beaconhouse
Central Region
Northern Region
Regional Summaries
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To raise Global Dignity awareness with a bigger audience, Beaconhouse Primary Cantt, Multan organized a Dignity Convention at the Multan Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Multan. At the convention, Dignity in Action, a slide show showed the efforts made by our students internationally and locally in the previous years. A panel discussion preceded the slide show, in which renowned personalities from Multan shared their stories on dignity. Parents were also invited to share their dignity stories with the audience in the panel discussion. After the panel discussion, students made their speeches and presented their role plays on how people can play a part in raising awareness of Dignity. The convention concluded with everyone signing a petition stating that everyone has a right to live a dignified life and we should help them in achieving it.
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Dignity Ambassadors: Learning to Lead As a way of empowering students with leadership skills, Dignity Ambassadors were elected in our branches. The role of the Dignity Ambassadors is to empower other students along with initiating , promoting and coordinating Dignity activities throughout the academic year. Each ambassador pledged to instill a new, positive, inclusive and interconnected sense of value in other students that will guide them as they grow up.
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‘Knowing you, knowing me’ Beaconhouse’s mission is to support 21st century learning, and improve academic performance through content-driven collaboration. We regularly develop collaborative projects that engage students in developing language, literacy and communication skills through meaningful interaction, engaging students in speaking and listening activities and promoting creativity. The most recent of these collaborative projects was in September 2014- ‘Knowing me, Knowing you’. This was designed to address everyone’s uniqueness from varying cultural, economic and personal experiences. The aim was to ensure that positive and unique elements of a child’s identity are not lost due to peer pressure, negative media, and societal pressures.
Beaconhouse schools from different countries were partnered up. Students explored their own identity, the identity of others, and the importance of respecting differences. The students collaborated with their partner schools online and shared their ideas and presentations. Conversing with their partners on issues of common concern deepened students’ understanding of international issues and enhanced their sense of uniqueness at local, national and international levels. By incorporating collaborative learning activities, partnerships encouraged students to locate and explore common ground and develop cooperative learning skills. While learning with and from their peers in other countries, the students developed and honed in on cross-cultural communication and diplomacy skills. The final products of the project were commercials made by the students on their interpretation of self-identity. To share the message of self-identity with other students, the final commercials were played in their schools during the Global Dignity Day celebrations and on Beaconhouse’s official Global Dignity page.
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Light a Torch Adopting a school in the vicinity of Multan is yet another milestone to provide financial support to students in need to continue their education, which is an ongoing programme. In order to accomplish this initiative, a plan needed to be put in place. The school so far has taken the following steps :
Feasibility Survey by the Coordinator and a teacher to Al Khair School, Chah Sumandariwala Tubewell 31 Basti Nau.
Data gathering and school council meeting with the students of Al Khair School
Meeting (Sec. Coordinator, a teacher and Student council) with the parents of some of the children selected by the Al Khair School
A voluntarily collection of the first installment of Rs. 10000 by the school.
The decision that 11 of the students will be given monetary support to continue their education during the current academic year (Oct. 2014 to March 2015) 10
Sending my Message To raise awareness of Global Dignity, students created T-shirts. The T-shirts shared the message of what Dignity means to each student.
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Symbolising Unity 600 students of Classes I– V gathered together to form the Dignity Symbol with the message of “Heal the Heart, Global Dignity.’ The significance behind the idea is that we are different but together we are one. Thus everyone in this world deserves dignity and respect and we unite today as a commitment to helping each other.
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Exploring New Horizons Skype session with students of Government Boys Primary School, J.F. Panthakay Students from both sides shared acts of kindness done by them in their daily lives and learnt from each other’s experiences. They discussed problems faced by the students in their areas related to self-respect as well as taking steps to create a nation that lives by respect, love and care for their countrymen.
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A Picture Worth a Thousand Words‌. A very thought-provoking photography competition was held to capture dignified moments where creative students participated enthusiastically. The purpose was precisely to educate and inspire the students, about the importance of human dignity regardless of race, culture or social background.
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‘A man’s value does not lie in owning more things, but in his ability to embrace the concept of humanity and equality.’
A Tapestry of Hope The Beaconhouse Canalside Campus Middle School, remaining true to its motto ‘Seek the Light,’ took the initiative by adopting an underprivileged school which is run by a small private NGO on Global Dignity Day. The children of that school visited Canalside Campus Middle School with their teachers. These students took a part in fun-filled activities such as face painting, a drawing competition, musical chairs, singing competitions organized by the Beaconites. Class VIII students performed a tableau for the children. This event provided the visiting children a chance to share their creativity and confidence by expressing themselves in front of large audience. The activities were planned to give a strong message to the students that we are all members of one big human family and everyone has right to live a dignified life.
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Regional Summaries
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Northern Region
Building on the theme of Dignity, Global Dignity Day was celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm by the branches in the Northern Region. The celebrations set our students on their journey of cultivating the ability to have compassion for others and instilled in them the recognition about the significance of humanity. An array of activities was planned to highlight the significance of dignity in our lives. Students went to hospitals and streets along with their teachers to give tokens of respect to nurses, staff and labourers. Some students presented role plays highlighting the importance of respect towards humanity. Dignity Symbols were made by the students to signify unification and that we are different but we are one. Dignity Ambassadors led the morning assembly by addressing the audience and briefing them about why this day is celebrated all around the world and what can be achieved by celebrating this day. Art activities such as poster making, designing dignity symbols and flyers were held in all branches. Some students participated in writing messages to display on the dignity Tree. Some students made prints on the hand-print wall, where the students with their classes came and dipped their hand in coloured paint to leave their hand impression on the wall.
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‘Dignity should be the basic guiding principle for all action.’-Global Dignity
Some students enthusiastically participated in a canvas and shirt printing competition. The theme of the competition was Equality, Respecting Differences and Respecting the Opinions of Others. The students chose their own theme and painted the canvases and shirts which were later judged by a panel of teachers. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated a very important aspect of a community “All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” In light of this message, the students aptly felt the plight of the road side café owner who continues to serve all the strata of the community even in adverse conditions to make a living in the most dignified way. Students visited some of the hardworking men in the city in order to pay respect and appreciate their efforts for the community as a whole. Students interviewed them and at the end took pictures with them to preserve the memories of this dignified day. Most branches made visits to their local underprivileged organisations and donated gift and food supplies as way to show their empathy. All in all, the day wrapped up with adorned walls of paintings, a mural, Dignity Tree and pledges made by the students to share and implement the principles of Dignity. 19
Central Region
‘A dignified life means an opportunity to fulfil one’s potential, which is based on having a human level of health care, education, income and security.’Global Dignity The theme of Global Dignity Day celebrations in the Central Region was to uphold the principles of Dignity. The Central region planned the Global Dignity event using various activities to instil and inspire a new, positive inclusive and interconnected value proposition in students as they grow into adulthood. Activities such as poster making, drawings, card making, pebble painting and murals were the common practice in every branch. To inculcate the message that every human being regardless of race, culture or social background has the right to protect his or her dignity among students, the students prepared friendships band for junior staff. The Early Years’ students participated in hand printing activities to depict togetherness and the need to value each other’s thoughts. Students presented stage shows to share many themes such as racism and valuing labourers and the elderly .
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Primary students recited different poems, narrated stories and shared their experiences of dignity. Students took the initiative and made documentaries to highlight the importance of dignity and self-respect. Middle and secondary students participated in dignity walks and took charge of going out of the schools to share Global Dignity messages with the community by either visiting an orphanage, underprivileged schools and the government schools. Art work including cards, posters, and the Dignity Trees were displayed at prominent places for visitors to see. To inculcate the second principle of Global dignity, one branch in the Central Region visited a nearby slum mainly inhabited by low income families. The students main priority was to inform the people about healthy living and sanitation. Students from one branch visited the local SOS Children’s Village in Multan to empathise with the lives of people who are less privileged. Guest speaker, Ms. Salma, who recently participated in University of Vienna’s program for inter-religious harmony, welcomed the students and shared the message of humanity. She proved through her talk that dignity is something every human being yearns for regardless of any religion or ethnicity. 21
TNS Beaconhouse
The Global Day of Dignity was celebrated at the TNS Beaconhouse- Gulberg campus with a lot of zeal. The Global Dignity day recognises a universal right of every individual to lead a dignified life.
The entire student body participated in this event, organising different events in their classes to speak about human dignity, respect and the power of love. Students from the Nursery sections paid tribute to the support staff in school and at home, and Reception class through Class 4 posted their thoughts of dignity on a globe outside the school Coordinator’s office. Each class made reflective banners on dignity that were displayed in the Piazza. Class 4 performed a special skit on dignity and its principles. Staff appreciation cards were made by all students in the school, talking about humans living a dignified life and the basic principle of respect for all human beings. Students also spoke about different professions and to respect them and celebrate their worth. The purpose of celebrating this day was to highlight the fact that all people, rich or poor, no matter what their occupation, are bound to equal amounts of respect and the right to live with their heads held high. 22
Beaconhouse
Newlands
Dignity Day was observed all over the world on 15th October of this year. This year to strengthen the concept of ‘dignity ’in our students, we planned various activities throughout the day:
A special assembly early morning: Badges, captioned according to the event, were distributed among the staff members speeches by students Thank you notes by the students were given to the teachers. Poster making and essay competition was held A song was sung by a student along with one of our students who played piano. Student council exhibited leadership skills in managing the whole programme with teachers
Class/Subject teachers talked to the students about the different principles of dignity. Students wrote pledges in their classes and displayed them on a tree placed in an open area. Some pledges were also displayed them on a board on the first floor. Students of class VII-VIII made posters expressing their own understanding of the concept of dignity.
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Southern Region
The Southern Region started the new academic year with an aim to embed the concept of Dignity into the teaching and learning, throughout the year. Exciting activities for Global Dignity have been planned for the coming months and some have already been conducted. On Wednesday, October 15, Global Dignity celebrations were held throughout the entire Southern Region with a lot of gusto to inspire youth in becoming the best and help others in achieving the same. The main activities included throughout the southern region were roleplaying, speeches, oath ceremonies, pledges, art and poster making competitions. This year, our branches collaborated with other schools to share Dignity principles. Some branches collaborated online while the others personally visited the schools to conduct Dignity activities. The presentation on the principles of Dignity and significance of GDD were reiterated by inviting people from different walks of life, including a security guard, cobbler, a driver and a street vendor to share their experience and problems they faced in their everyday lives. The activity reinforced students’ understanding about dignity in all kinds of work and helped empathise with their troubles. 24
One of the newest activities of GDD was creating products to share the message of Global Dignity. Students created T-shirts to symbolise what Dignity stands for them. Students wrote messages on the T-shirts to give voice to their opinions i.e. Give equal rights to Girls and Just do right to get respect. At one of the branches, a student created key rings to raise funds for donations to a charity as a way of contributing to Global Dignity. In one branch, students are maintaining class logs to record ‘Good Deeds’ on a monthly basis to promote Dignity. A charity drive called ‘Soles for Souls’ was an opportunity for students and staff to generously donate new shoes for children at Kashana-e-Atfal, Dar-ul-Sakun and Edhi Centre. Guest speakers addressed students on the social work they do and how the community at large and specifically students can lend their hand to support the cause. Global Dignity Day served as a benchmark for children to measure their success and as a reminder of what they find truly important in life. 25
International Summaries
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Beaconhouse -Sri Lethia Klang Dignity day celebrations at the Beaconhouse Sri Lethia Klang were planned with a full day of activities. The Head of the school initiated the celebrations by sharing what Global Dignity Day means to her, followed by the school coordinator's meaning of Dignity. In the classrooms, teachers and students shared their dignity stories and small acts of kindness they have done. They opened letters written in 2013 and shared the progress they had made. They conducted art activities such as poster making and symbols for dignity. Students also presented their slide shows on Dignity. The celebrations ended with the students and staff pledging to carry out small acts of Dignity in everyday lives.
Beaconhouse Pre-school, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
As part of the Global Dignity educational project, students of Beaconhouse Subang participated in the community project –‘Yes, we care’. The primary objective was to promote and create positive values and awareness among our children on how to help the less fortunate in our community. Teaching our children about sharing and giving is a valuable lesson. This was a great opportunity for our children to learn at an early age to be considerate of others and to show compassion. Our children contributed goodies such as Milo, cereal, rice and biscuits generously and also prepared encouraging messages to the less fortunate from their little hearts. 27
Beaconhouse Bangladesh On this special day, the teachers and students of Beaconhouse decorated a board with small articles, captions, pictures, poetry, quotes on Global Dignity. The board was then displayed in the school campus. This activity was followed by the regular assembly. In addition, the students of Beaconhouse Bangladesh performed three plays on Global Dignity. The plays were as follows: Rickshaw-Puller: - This drama was on human rights which portrayed a rickshaw puller fight for his own human rights, when more than two people were getting on a rickshaw. This was done by the students of Class VII, VIII and IX. (Azmal, Nilab, Umema, Ibrahim and Zarek) Hotel Boy: - This drama was about serving the poor which portrays that no good deed is small and we should respect and be kind to the poor . This was done by the students of class V and VI. (Fazlul Haque Mahin,Fazlul Haque Shahin, Hussain and Shahir) School Child being bullied: - This drama was about standing up for the weak. This was done by the students of Class III and IV. (Talha, Sayef, Farhan Ali, Alesha, Insha and Hafeez)
Muscat Global Dignity in Muscat was planned with the focus of implementing Dignity principles. A variety of activities, such as, creating cards and posters to show their interpretation of Dignity were held in class. Some students the sang songs ‘We are the World’ to spread the message. Students gave speeches and presentations on what Dignity means to them. The overall the message was to promote peace and harmony in their environment. 28
Beaconhouse St Paul– Malaysia
Beaconhouse St. Paul joined the worldwide observance of Global Dignity Day on October 15, 2014. A showcase of different cultures from around the world made the celebration colourful and meaningful. The role of technology in upholding Dignity was emphasised by our esteemed speakers, Principal Elma Ma Bergado, Teacher Sandra Genova and our parent guest speaker Mr. Fernando Bayangos. Ways in which technology can be used to create respect for others, for personal development and for peace, were emphasised. Students posted their messages about dignity on the Dignity wall. 29
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The Educators “Dignity will manifest itself in the warmth of your smile, the depth of your love, and kindness for your fellowman.” - Michael Wynn
Kindness and respect for your fellowman marked the celebrations for Global Dignity held on October 15, 2014 through most branches in the Educators. The aim of celebrations was to implement the universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life. We all have the ability to increase the dignity of others and thus we increase our own dignity. The celebrations started with morning assemblies, where students and teachers shared what Dignity means to them. Some students presented poems to express the meaning of Dignity. Dignity is in hard work, there is no shame in digging a trench, there is no shame to work as a cook or servant or a maid or to do menial work. To appreciate the schools’ staff that assists students and teachers, the students held a special ceremony where they presented them with thank you cards, chocolates and a lunch. Some students lent a helping hand to the support staff as a way of appreciation.
During the day’s celebrations, students made head band with Dignity slogans and posters on Dignity. Students also shared their Dignity messages on a Dignity wall. Various activities such as writing poems and essays on Dignity were held in the classrooms. The celebrations ended with students making pledges to uphold the Dignity principles and vowed to share the message with other people. 31
Communications Beaconhouse promoted Global Dignity Day and its messages extensively through its various media channels. This was done through the below interventions:
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Global Dignity Beaconhouse Official Facebook page: This year to carry our message across to farther audiences, we launched our official Global Dignity page. In the first month, it received 3,006 likes.
The Beaconhouse Times website: To celebrate Global Dignity Day, our own The Beaconhouse Times website prominently featured Global Dignity Day events and celebrations from the Beaconhouse Schools across the system. The featured article included news from around 50 school along with pictures of the festivities. 33
Dignity Magazine: The Academics Department launched its 4th issue of Dignity magazine in which the students shared their summer experiences of working with underprivileged schools, hospitals and organisations.
Blogs: To reach out to larger audiences, schools wrote blogs on the significance of Global Dignity.
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Designed and developed by the Academics Department and Corporate Communications, Beaconhouse Group Head Office. All material included in the Dignity Magazine Vol. V are the celebrations of Global Dignity Day.
Edited by: Corporate Communications - Editing Section Compiled by: Academics Department - Learning Centre
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