Junior School High Commissioner Award 14
by Peter O’Brien, Year 4 Class Teacher and Anna Lees, Year 5 Class Teacher
The Junior School was delighted to launch the High Commissioner Award (HCA) this year; an exciting new CCA that was devised by teachers Peter O’Brien and Anna Lees, who both run the session each week. They give us an insight into their rewarding new initiative… The High Commissioner Award is an opportunity for children in Years 5 and 6 to explore their potential in and outside the classroom. Having the full support of British High Commissioner, HE Mr Antony Phillipson, adds great prestige and honour to this Award. During the programme, there will be a focus on several elements through sport, music and academia. The aim is to provide a challenging, rewarding and memorable experience that will help each participant to become reflective about what they have achieved and how they can strive to improve. Each week, the children participate in activities that will encourage the following outcomes:
• • • • • •
Communication Innovativeness Leadership Co-operation Pride Achievement
These seniors are already completing their CAS (Creativity Action Service) and NYAA (National Youth Achievement Award) Awards and are positive role models to the junior students. Independent improvement through goal setting and self-directed learning are at the heart of this Award. Allowing children to see what difference they can make to themselves and others when they apply themselves is a vital life skill. Children are encouraged to work on these aspects out of school hours as well as during the CCA. Each participant can choose a skill or sport and an academic area to focus on and try to meet their goal. All the evidence collected throughout their ‘Award Journey’ will be recorded in their e-portfolio; a green way to collate their experiences.
The children are supported in each session by six Senior School students who are:
The nursing team led a first aid course in March so that our Award holders can be on hand in an emergency situation. Life skills such as cooking have also been enjoyed, to ensure the team are aware of what our bodies need to be active, fit and healthy. Within the Enterprise element they will develop entrepreneurial skills in order to maximise their economic potential and social wellbeing.
Year 10 - James Warner and Tiago Beck Year 11 - Sophie Davis Year 12 - Maria Stapleton, Yin Noe and Elisha Naesheim
Contributing to the school and wider community is an integral part of the Award. The first element is to give back to the school by creating ideas and
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instructions for classroom games that can be played during lunchtime in or outside of the classroom. All the children were very keen to include the Learner Values into the suggestions, as co-operation is a linking feature between all of the games.
Through the Community Service element of the Award, the children will be able to work with pupils at the Genesis School. This warm and welcoming school teaches children with special educational needs, and our children will be learning songs and games to play and sing with the children. To celebrate the children’s hard work and the bonds formed between the two schools, the HCA children and the CAS/NYAA students will take the children from the Genesis School bowling for an afternoon of united fun! Accompanied by the dedicated CAS/ NYAA students, the HCA children will be setting off on a survival skills based residential to Pulau Ubin. During their time on the island, the group will take part in coastal cleaning and camping skills. They will be stripped back to basics to make their own bowls and spoons using plants and leaves found in the forest; they will construct a shelter and learn how to protect themselves from dangerous animals. As tough as it sounds, the children will also be able to sing around the camp fire in the evening after they have cooked their own dinners on their camping stoves.
4/13/12 4:09 PM