The UN International Day of Education is on 24 January. The theme ‘to invest in people, prioritise education’. In 2023, it is dedicated to Afghan women and girls. Education is a human right. It offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future.
Hayley Heyes from Byron Primary School attended our January club meeting . 
Hayley spoke about being a Rights Respecting School. They registered in 2016, and achieved Silver award in 2018. Unfortunately progress was halted during the pandemic but was relaunched in 2021.
Soroptimists have a partnership agreement with the school that includes: –
- participate in the Steering committee
- develop international links with schools
- support with activities that promote the ethos.
- send the school, a tweet or postcard from our travels
- share website links
- Provide ideas to help the community locally, nationally and internationally.
Byron recognise the challenges pupils and families face. So a Social Change project has been set up. Actions taken include: –
- Make end of term tag day a food bank donation going towards families at our school in real need
- Distribute left over fruit and veg from KS1 to families in need
- Advertise in Newsletter food apps like Olio and Too Good To Go, plus show the latest offers for deals in local café and restaurants
- Uniform donations to go to the Salvation Army.
- Host a come and take day at our school supported by the Salvation Army
- Coat Amnesty planned, donations going to the reuse and recycle shop in Nelson Road
As Soroptimists we are proud and totally committed to working with Byron Primary School. We have updated our partnership agreement. This includes being involving in their Social Change project.
The pupils have designed a mascot for the school called Rocky the Rights Respecting turtle. It is a gender-neutral turtle to represent equal rights for all. Rocky will be a colourful edition to classrooms. A useful way to gain enthusiasm and interest in Rights Respecting Schools.