– Citizenship –

A good citizen, to me, puts their rubbish in the bin. That shows consideration and respect for our community and environment. Maybe a good citizen does even more than that? Maybe they put other peoples’ rubbish in the bin too?

A few years ago, before an assembly, I placed a piece of screwed up paper on the floor in the corridor on the way to the main hall. I watched as tens of children ignored it/kicked it/didn’t notice it. I don’t think anyone took responsibility for it and I remember feeling rather disappointed about that. Perhaps this was partly because I was unable to make the point I wanted to in assembly or just that I felt let down that the children were not as focussed as I was on our school and looking after it. But I do still believe that it is important to try and be a good citizen and to see and go beyond ‘it’s not mine so why should I?’

Good citizens volunteer, listen respectfully, are tolerant, engage with the issues of the day and take action to be involved. I’d like to include some role models from our community, including children, who do these things so if that’s you please let me know and we can celebrate your citizenship this month.

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