Children from Little School were awarded their certificates at a special cermony with Wirral Mayer, Councillor Cherry Povall JP, on 21st May.
By Mrs Ford, Head of Little School
This year has been another great success for the Birkenhead School Civic Award, with a second level, the Eastham Award, being added to the introductory Mayer Award launched last year. Children in Years 2 and 3 have been completing the Eastham Award, and we’re delighted that every child who entered these two levels of the scheme was awarded the Mayer or Eastham Award in a ceremony with the Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Cherry Povall JP, on 21st May in Prep Hall.
Children receiving the Mayer Award which was launched last year.
Children receiving the Eastham Award – the second level in the Birkenhead School Civic Award.
The idea for creating the Birkenhead School Civic Award scheme came from the desire to continue the very successful scheme provided by Wirral Council, which was extremely popular with our children for many years. With the original scheme no longer running, Mrs. Ford wanted to do something to allow the children to explore and learn important fundamental skills to become good citizens.
The Birkenhead School Civic Award enables the School to celebrate the children’s achievements both inside and outside of school, helping to shape them into well-rounded citizens who understand the importance of community, perseverance, self-reliance, and personal achievement.
The scheme is made up of five strands that the children have to complete, document, and have signed off by the appropriate bodies:
- Local Awareness
- Self-Reliance
- Service to Others
- Personal Achievement in Physical Activities
- Wide Use of Leisure Time
The Award links with the School’s Birkonian values of respect, responsibility, resilience, inclusivity, compassion, courage, humility, and integrity:
Respect – Respect for others, themselves, and the environment is recognized through the service to others element. This sees the children doing a range of activities from helping an elderly neighbor by putting their bins out to doing a litter pick in the local park.
Responsibility – Being dependable, accountable for our actions, and using good judgment in making decisions is recognized through the service to others and self-reliance elements. The children learn life skills such as cooking a simple meal, learning to tie their school ties, or learning to tie their shoelaces.
Resilience & Courage – These are achieved through the personal achievement in physical activities element. The children persevere when they find things tricky to achieve, such as reaching the next level in swimming or practicing tricky footwork in football to improve their dribbling skills.
Inclusivity, Humility & Integrity – These values are reinforced through our wider use of leisure element, where children meet new people from a variety of different backgrounds, develop strong moral principles, and recognize their strengths and weaknesses while celebrating the successes of others. The children have achieved this by taking part in Park runs, being members of Squirrels or Beavers, or visiting the local libraries on numerous occasions.
Compassion – This is reinforced throughout the different elements of the Civic Award, developing the children as well-rounded citizens and enabling them to explore the world and our local community beyond the walls of Birkenhead School.
“Many of the areas overlap and are not exclusive to one particular element of both the Civic Award and our Birkonian values, but the fact that they intertwine so much helps helps to strengthen my belief that this scheme is an amazing initiative that matches the ethos of our school perfectly.” – Mrs Ford, Head of Little School
The Birkenhead School Civic Award scheme has not only encouraged children to develop essential life skills but has also fostered a deep sense of community spirit and personal responsibility. The feedback from parents, teachers, and the children themselves has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the pride and confidence the children feel upon completing each level of the Award.
Mr. FitzHerbert, Head of Prep, added, “The Civic Award scheme is a wonderful way for our students to engage with the broader community and develop a range of important skills. It is fantastic to see them take on challenges, support one another, and grow in confidence and capability. We’re very grateful to the Mayor and all the local organisations that have supported this initiative.”
As the children progress through each level of the Civic Award, they build on the foundations laid in the earlier stages. The scheme not only aligns with the School’s values but also enhances the overall educational experience, making learning more holistic and impactful.
The Birkenhead School Civic Award scheme is a testament to the School’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared to contribute positively to society. It celebrates the diverse talents and efforts of our students, encouraging them to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives.
We look forward to seeing the continued success of the Civic Award scheme and to celebrating the achievements of our students as they progress through each level. The future holds great promise for these young citizens, and we are excited to support them on their journey.
For more information about the Birkenhead School Civic Award scheme or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Mrs. Ford or Mr. FitzHerbert at the school office.
