North Durham Academy latest school to achieve the Blue Flag
Keith Best • 5 September 2023
North Durham Academy were the last school to receive Face to Face training prior to Covid Lockdown.
The Peace Advocate Project congratulates the pupils of North Durham Academy for their resilience and tenacity to become Advanced Peace Advocates and the 8th School in the world to achieve the International Peace School Blue Flag. This achievement deserves the highest praise for overcoming all the hurdles that the pandemic created for our young people during all stages of education and the determination of school staff enthused and encouraged by John Brierley of Consett Rotary Club and Anna Rayson of North Durham Academy. The Peace Advocate training restarted in September 2021 with John and Anna overseeing the
skills-based learning and embedding the school based Worry Box (practical) and SOS Box (online) projects. In November 2022 the Peace Advocates started their preparation to gather the next school cohort and facilitate their training to reach the International Blue Flag Award. As the 10 Peace Advocates reached the completion of their facilitation they were awarded their Advanced Peace Advocate certificated status as shown in the photograph. The school was also presented with certification alongside the Blue Flag.
The Peace Advocate Project Charity gives thanks to the foresight of Rotary International North East of England Leaders who encouraged and promoted the work in schools. Also especially to Consett Rotary Club and School staff who gave their time and financial support to create a sustainable impact. An added bonus that has emanated from North Durham Academy has been their desire to spread the impact of Peace Advocacy to other schools across their communities. One such school is Teesdale School and Sixth Form who have completed their initial training for Peace Advocates and we look forward to a collaboration between these schools..
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Since the initial online training the Peace Advocates have been active during the last 18 months in the school and beyond resulting in the award. The photograph was taken at the presentation and shows John (school Capt 2023), Principal Ann Rebgetz, Georgi (House Capt 2023), Catherine Bonifant (Rotary Eclub of World Peace), Tom Corkery (English teacher/Peace Advocate project coordinator) The flag was presented by Peace Advocate Manar,(yr 12) to one of the new recruits to build continuity and sustainability into the future. The School Principal Ann Rebgetz and Vice Principal Isikeli Kambumaca were both effusive in their praise of the effect the project has on the students. They commented that two or more of the Peace Advocates had been elected to school captain and other leadership roles. Principal Ann said “they had, in their speeches, attributed their success to their participation in the PAP course”. It was also highlighted that 2 or 3 other Peace Advocates from the group also had leadership roles this year. The school is expanding to include years 5 and 6 in the coming academic year to add to the existing secondary classes and it is proposed that the Peace Advocate Project assist with their integration. When speaking with the Peace Advocates Vice Principal Isikeli indicated that he would like to have them instruct the 5- & 6-year groups next year on leadership skills. They responded positively to him and to ideas put forward by a new recruit to the program; a student from Afghanistan who has arrived here since the Taliban took over and denied education to all girls. Project Coordinator Project Coordinator Tom Corkery said when providing school updates “I’m sure that you will have noticed the strong correlation between students who are part of the program and students who are now in leadership positions…….Fantastic success story”. PAP Directors Comment: Thank you for living the PAP vision RECOGNISE – ENABLE - EMPOWER. Congratulations St James College. Looking forward to receiving more updates in 2023.
As a Rotarian, teacher, parent or carer you will be very familiar with the challenges young people have to deal with in everyday life and for some these are difficult to cope with. The Peace Project is an interactive programme, which is developed with young people to find answers, taking their views and ideas into account. It recognises, enables and empowers young people to make informed decisions, which will affect their lives and the lives of others. Rotary Ireland has had great success with the initiative already through the great work of Mallow Rotary and the Peace Award at last year’s Young Citizen Award ceremony. We are asking all Rotary Clubs to raise awareness of this programme and identify schools, community and church groups, so we can deliver training to create Peace Advocates in the community. Students will become Peace Advocates and qualify to take their school forward to gain the Blue Flag of Peace for their establishment. The training takes 8hrs and can be delivered over 2days or online in 2 hour sessions over a number of days. It requires a minimum of 6 students plus a teacher and /or interested adults per school. Rotarians and adults are asked to join in the training so as to support and mentor the school. Costs for this 18 month project is £600 per school. The price includes, training, programmes, logbooks, all power point sessions used, assessment for Blue flag and certification.
Information sheet As a Rotarian, you will be very familiar with the challenges young people have to deal with in everyday life and for some these are difficult to cope with. The Peace Project is an interactive programme, which is developed with young people to find answers, taking their views and ideas into account. lt recognises, enables and empowers young people to make informed decisions, which will affect their lives and the lives of others. Rotary lreland has had great success with the initiative already through the great work of Mallow Rotary and the Peace Award at last year's Young Citizen Award ceremony. We are asking all Rotary Clubs to raise awareness of this programme and identify schools, community and church groups, so we can deliver training to create Peace Advocates in the community. Students will become Peace Advocates and qualify to take their school forward to gain the Blue Flag of Peace for their establishment. The training takes 8hrs and is delivered over 1 ½ to 2 days. lt requires a minimum of 6 students plus a teacher, per school. Rotarians are asked to join in the training so as to support and mentor the school. Cost includes training, Peace Advocate Programmes, Peace Advocate Logbooks, power point presentations, assessment for Blue flag and travel costs for the trainers. To register interest please email: jeanmbest@gmail.com The Blue Peace Flag Award for Schools and Community Groups 1. Two day training with: • Six Hard Copy Programmes • Six Log Books • Guidance on skill acquisition practice plans • Reference presentations of both training days • Peace Project badges for all participants • Presenters preparation, delivery and travel expenses 2. Milestones to be reached following training Complete individual logbooks (required evidence) Presentation to SMT by Peace Advocates after they have practised and achieved skills. (Presentation of Peace Advocate Certificate to each PA) Service project planned and achieved Planned training and delivered to next cohort of Peace Advocates. Presentation of Advanced Peace Advocate Certificate to PA trainers. Monitoring and Assessment of progress by trained appointees Presentation of Blue Flag 3. Costings for new start schools/community group
“It is an accepted realisation that our young people are growing up in a fast-changing world. Light years away from the one most of us adults grew up in. They face unique pressures and as adults we should never look back and make comparisons to when we were their age as we were never in their age.” Katharine Hill, A Mind of Their Own It is also about being honest with our young people, to admit that we are in a new era where covid has changed and influenced everyone’s wellbeing. This pandemic has dealt a blow to our young people’s emotional wellbeing, and in some cases their already fragile self-care. So: If you believe in young people being 21st century leaders If you want to help young people make informed choices to help themselves and others If you want to learn to facilitate other people’s opinions which may differ from your own If you want to take the opportunity to get involved with supporting young people in school or community groups or organisations such as Scouts or other voluntary organisations to give our young people a voice with responsibility. Get started If you are a Rotarian, use the 'Contact Us' tab contact Jean or Keith to make an awareness presentation to your club If you are a teacher, community leader, parent use the 'Contact Us' tab to arrange an awareness presentation to your school, community organisation or to other adults.