Courageous Advocates
 

“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves.
Protect the rights of all who are helpless.”
Proverbs 31:8

At Potten End Primary School, we encourage and support our children to be "courageous advocates". We believe this develops resilience, teamwork, courage and independence and an understanding of the wider world and how they can help make it a better place. We take time to reflect upon and appreciate how fortunate we are to be part of such a nurturing school environment, surrounded by supportive colleagues and staff, which allows us to live life in all its fullness and flourish as individuals. It is important for our children to appreciate their role as part of a community; to take responsibility, to be able to look after themselves and to foster an understanding of their importance, impact and influence in the world.
 

At Potten End School we recognise that life is full of ups and downs and that at times all people will face challenges that they need help and support in overcoming. We believe that people are worth spending time with, that people need time to grow and need loving attention. The Christian Gospel says that every person has a unique task to do, with God, and for God, whether they know it or not. We hold and courageously advocate the conviction that there is something mysterious, and potentially wonderful, in everybody.

We aim to inspire courageous advocacy and instil our Christian Values in the whole community. We have a long tradition of supporting a range of charities locally, nationally and globally at Potten End C of E Primary School with pupils, staff, governors, parents and carers actively coming together to make a difference to other peoples’ lives.

Some of the charities we have supported in recent years include:

• NSPCC
• Sports Relief
• The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
• The Children's Society
• BookTrust
• Children in Need
• Comic Relief 
• Shoe Box Appeal
• People not Borders
• Harvest Festival food donations in aid of DENS
• Ukraine/Syria Appeal

Within the community our school stands up for what it believes in. Our Christian Values and British Values (Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance) ensure that opportunities to discuss the big issues, to challenge injustice and to engage in activities that can bring about change are always present. Courageous advocacy enables our school community to develop a greater awareness of the challenges others face in life and how they, as individuals, can support causes and make a difference in our school community, local community and further afield.

Community events we have recently participated in include:

• At Christmas, the school choir visit residents of the local Abbeyfield (retirement housing) to sing to them
• As part of our Harvest celebrations, we like to present senior citizens of the village with a harvest gift that the children have made for them
• We participate in village events
• We have a strong PTA with the community invited to events such as Summer Fayres
• School advertises and supports local events
• Strong links with local pre-school
• Connection with the local church choir