Our Social Purpose
One of the things that we feel makes La Cote International School special is our emphasis on social purpose, which starts right at the beginning in the Foundation years. By creating a focus on important global days like World Children’s Day and engaging with international bodies such as UNICEF and the wider United Nations, our students are inspired by how individuals can make a difference in our world. As they move up the school this also informs them about career opportunities and potential philanthropic interests for their future.
This year, thanks to the hard work of Kevin McDaid, Individuals and Societies teacher and UNICEF lead for Europe, LCIS is very proud to have been awarded the Bronze Social Impact Distinction by Nord Anglia. This is a recognition of the work Mr McDaid and our dedicated students do in support of the UNICEF Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Children’s Rights. It reconises that as a school we are ‘Rights and Goals Committed’.
Social Impact Student Success
As well as this award, we are celebrating that one of our IB Diploma students has been accepted onto the NAE European Student Advisory Board for Social Impact. She will be taking a leading role, along with a small selection of other students from our European schools, in evaluating schools’ social impact grant applications from around the world. The team will also work closely with the Nord Anglia Social Impact team in London to shape the direction and purpose of the programme over the next year and beyond. Applying for this position and being selected is a great achievement and is a testament to the hardwork and dedication this student has shown in this field.
Family Involvement
To encourage family involvement and participation this World Children’s Day we have created a Newsletter for parents and caregivers to promote discussion at home. It includes talking points, links to videos and suggestions for actions everyone can take on World Children’s Day.
Visit from the United Nations
We are lucky enough this year to have a Word Children’s Day visitor from the UN, Milicent Namusonge. Kevin McDaid, organiser of our World Children’s Day celebrations and activities, says:
“Millicent Namusonge is a passionate advocate for children’s rights bringing over 17 years of experience in Human Resources and Organisational Development. Millicent has dedicated her working life to working with renowned organisations committed to improving the lives of children and marginalised communities. She will deliver an assembly to our Secondary students, and work with Year 5 students in some focused workshops.”
- At UNHCR, Millicent worked tirelessly to support refugees, ensuring their rights and voices were recognized. Her role involved collaborating with diverse teams to protect those who have faced significant hardships, reinforcing the idea that every child deserves safety and a bright future.
- During her time with the Kenya Human Rights Commission, she advocated for marginalized communities, demonstrating the power of collective action in the fight for justice and equality. Millicent believes that every voice matters and has made it her mission to uplift those often overlooked.
- In her roles at ActionAid and ChildFund, she led initiatives that focused on prioritising children's rights and fostering an environment where their voices are included in decision-making. Millicent is proud of the positive changes she helped bring about, including improving engagement and promoting a culture of respect and understanding.
Millicent’s dedication to improving the lives of children through education, health, and inclusivity is truly inspiring. We are excited to hear exchange ideas with our students, share her experiences and insights, and encourage everyone to think about the ways we can champion children’s rights in our own lives.
Student Action
As well as talks and workshops, for World Children’s Day 2024 our Secondary Social Impact student team will be designing and creating four boards about each of our 4 chosen rights, which will be displayed in the school foyer.
Practical related projects include our ongoing weekly food collections for The Lost Food Project, linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger. A number of our IBDP students volunteer regularly at The Lost Food Project food banks in the area.
Annual Nord Anglia Education/UNICEF Global Summit
We watch our students’ involvement in social impact projects, their input and motivation throughout the year, to help us to select students to represent La Côte International School at the annual NAE/UNICEF global Student Summit. This school year the summit will be held in Houston, Texas in June 2025. Watch this space!
