Citizenship and P.S.H.E

The teaching of personal, social, health and emotional issues, and modelling good examples of these, is a large part of life at our school. In addition to this, specific Citizenship and PSHE sessions are taught weekly to cover the skills outlined below.

Across the school and within other subjects, as well as part of specific teaching, we focus on:

• Developing children’s confidence, sense of responsibility and how to make the most of their abilities,
• Preparing the children to play active roles as citizens within a community and their local environment,
• Developing the children’s relationships with each other and ensuring they respect the differences between people,
• Encouraging the children to develop a healthier and safer lifestyle.

Whenever possible, we allow the children to participate in discussions and be involved in the decision-making process, in order to give them the opportunity to make real choices and understand consequences. Their views are listened to and acted upon where appropriate.

Role-play activities allow children to explore themes and help them to develop their self-esteem. Billy No Buzz is a play in which the children learn about how everyone is different, but should still be valued for who they are.

In assembly, the children learn to sign along with the words to some of the songs they sing.

The children help to advertise, organise and run fundraising events for field trips.

Thinking Skills

In Years 2 and 3, the children are taught specific Thinking And Communication Tools (TACT) for solving problems with others and for making good decisions.

In the beginning, the children learn these skills through a computer simulation called “Yani’s Goal” where they have the chance to step into the role of the central character, Yani, and learn the tools described below as he does during his journey in the story.

The first tool, called “The Cloud”, involves identifying the needs of themselves and others, in any situation, and the goal they are working towards, in order to find a better solution. The second, “The Branch” tool, teaches them strategies for understanding the consequences of their own behaviour and actions in a logical sequence. The third and finally tool, “The Target Tree”, helps them plan what they need to do in order to achieve ambitious targets.

This includes lots of role-play and discussion relating it to their lives. Alongside this, they also have the opportunity to use these thinking tools in other areas across the curriculum.

The Cloud is also used in the playground and an outline has been painted on one of our concrete walkway areas.

Children are chosen as 'Cloudbusters' to help guide others as they resolve their disagreements using this tool.

Learning these ways of thinking about issues, conflicts and goals has been proven to help children in all areas of their personal lives and how they interact with others. Most importantly, it helps them to see the other side’s point of view and find ways to meet each other’s needs. The children learn that meeting each other’s needs is the secret to living happily together.

Community and School Charity Events

Throughout the year, the children participate in local community and worldwide charity events.

Each September the children take part in the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, and help raise money for cancer research.

Each Halloween children can participate in our very own special 'Trick or Treat' for UNICEF and help raise money for children around the world.

© Providenciales Primary School Turks and Caicos Islands 2007