Pupil Leadership at Newtown

At Newtown CE Primary School, our Christian values of Love, Courage and Friendship shape how we care for and serve one another.

Our Christian vision is rooted in our understanding of the Holy Trinity. God the Father shows us unconditional love and reminds us that every person is known and valued. Jesus the Son shows us how to live, serve others, welcome everyone and stand up for what is right. The Holy Spirit nurtures our spirituality, helping us to reflect, wonder, grow and recognise the gifts within ourselves and others. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage and inspiration to use these gifts to make a positive difference.

Inspired by this, pupils are encouraged to notice others, use their individual gifts and take an active role in helping everyone feel valued, included and able to flourish. Through pupil leadership, children learn to be disciples in action, putting our Christian values into practice through their everyday choices and actions.

Pupil Parliament

Our Pupil Parliament gives children a meaningful voice in the life and development of Newtown.

With representatives from across the school, pupils listen to the views and ideas of their classmates and work together to identify ways they can make a positive difference. Guided by our Christian values of Love, Courage and Friendship, pupils are encouraged to speak up for others, consider the needs of the wider community and turn their ideas into action.

Pupil Parliament helps children understand that leadership is about service. Following the example of Jesus and his disciples, pupils learn to notice those who may face disadvantage, exclusion or barriers, listen to the needs of others and stand up for what is just. Pupils are encouraged to challenge unfairness, help level the playing field and work together so that everyone has the opportunity to belong and flourish. They learn that positive change begins when we notice others, listen, show courage and take action.

Through Pupil Parliament, our pupils become disciples in action, using their voices and gifts to serve their school and wider community.

EARA – Equality and Rights Advocates

Our Equality and Rights Advocates help champion equality, inclusion and children's rights across Newtown.

EARA pupils encourage our school community to celebrate difference, challenge unfairness and ensure that every pupil is treated with dignity and respect.

They help pupils understand that having courage sometimes means speaking up for others and working together to make positive change.

Through this role, pupils are encouraged to notice unfairness, reflect on justice and the needs of others and recognise that every person is valuable and deserves to be represented and heard.

First Friday Friendship Friday

On the first Friday of each month, Newtown celebrates Friendship Friday.

Friendship Friday provides opportunities for pupils to reflect on friendship, kindness, belonging and how our Christian faith calls us to care for one another.

Friendship Friday is prompted and promoted through our Celebration Collective Worship, where the whole Newtown school community is encouraged to celebrate friendship and actively put our Christian values into practice. Every member of the Newtown community is encouraged to notice and give a genuine compliment to at least two other people, recognising something positive in them and helping them feel valued.

Throughout the day, through class activities and simple acts of friendship, children and adults are encouraged to pause, reflect and notice the people around them. Pupils consider how their words and actions can help someone else feel valued, welcomed and included.

These moments of reflection and connection help nurture pupils' spirituality as they think more deeply about themselves, their relationships with others and the difference their words and choices can make.

Buddy Benches

Our Buddy Benches provide a visible reminder that nobody at Newtown should feel alone.

Children can use the benches when they would like someone to talk to or play with. Pupils are encouraged to notice when someone is sitting on a Buddy Bench and respond with friendship and kindness.

The benches help children put our Christian value of Friendship into action. They remind pupils that noticing others and responding with compassion can make a meaningful difference to someone's day.

Play Leaders

Our Play Leaders help create happy, active and inclusive playtimes.

They organise games, encourage pupils to join in and help children develop positive friendships. Play Leaders are encouraged to notice children who may be alone and provide opportunities for everyone to feel included.

Through their leadership, pupils learn that serving others can begin with a simple invitation to join in. They develop confidence, responsibility and an understanding that leadership can be used to help others flourish.

 

Class Champions

Our Class Champions give pupils opportunities to use their individual gifts, interests and strengths to make a positive difference within their class and across the school.

Children may champion areas such as reading, wellbeing, worship, the environment, creativity or sport. They encourage others, share ideas and help lead positive change.

Through this role, pupils learn that everyone has something valuable to contribute. They are encouraged to recognise their own gifts and the gifts of others and consider how these can be used to serve their community and help others flourish.

Year 6 and Year R Buddies

Every child in Year R is supported by a Year 6 Buddy.

Our oldest pupils help our youngest children feel safe, welcomed and part of the Newtown family. Buddies build relationships throughout the year, model kindness and friendship and provide a familiar, friendly face around school.

This special relationship allows our Year 6 pupils to lead through service while helping our youngest children develop confidence and a strong sense of belonging.

Through these relationships, pupils learn that love and friendship can be shown through simple everyday actions: noticing someone, listening to them and being there when they need support.

Helping Everyone Flourish – Disciples in Action

Together, our Pupil Parliament, EARA pupils, Class Champions, Year 6 and Year R Buddies, Friendship Fridays, Buddy Benches, and Play Leaders help make our Christian vision visible in everyday school life.

Rooted in our understanding of the Holy Trinity, pupils learn that our Christian vision is something to be lived. God's love reminds us that everyone is valued; Jesus shows us how to serve and care for others; and through the Holy Spirit, our spirituality is nurtured as we reflect, wonder, grow and recognise how our own gifts can be used to help others flourish.

Through Love, Courage and Friendship, pupils learn to notice others, listen to different voices, stand up for what is right and use their individual gifts to serve their school and wider community.

Our pupils understand that leadership is not simply about having a title. It is about noticing, listening, serving, reflecting, showing courage and taking action to help others flourish.

At Newtown, everyone belongs, everyone has something to offer and everyone is encouraged to flourish.

Our pupils are encouraged to be disciples in action – small voices with big ideas, working together to make a difference.