On Friday 5th October, 63 pupils from five member schools completed Citizens:mk’s annual One-Day School Councillor Training, this year hosted by St. Paul’s Catholic School. The other schools were Jubilee Wood, St. Monica’s, Southwood and Summerfield primary schools.
The theme for the Training was Refugees Welcome. The pupils heard testimonies from two Syrian teenagers who were welcomed in Milton Keynes two years ago; also from British Red Cross, who facilitated their settlement and Ian Fraser, Head Teacher of Summerfield School, who was involved in welcoming refugees in his previous MK primary school.
Representatives from MK Council, Thames Valley Police, NASUWT Teachers Union and Citizens UK presented ideas of campaign goals which the pupils might adopt, relating to hate crime awareness.
The pupils discussed and voted to campaign for the following:
- Refugee Welcome School accreditation
- Hate crime awareness workshops
The pupils prioritised the number one shared goal of ‘becoming a Refugees Welcome School’ with the aim being to persuade their number one power-holder, i.e. head teacher and/or chair of governors, to formally agree it.
They then drew up power analysis maps to identify the key power-holders, and discussed ideas for acting on their interests to achieve the campaign goals.
The day ended with role play negotiations with power holders followed by a run-around game involving the key terms in community organising: power, interest, stick person, relationship, negotiation.
Click here for the programme of the day. Pictured is Bekele Woyecha of Citizens UK and Sponsor Refugees.