Student name: Jasmine Jones

Student class: 8A

What can you tell us about this piece of work?

This piece of work is an article I wrote for the Examiner’s Youth Newspaper; Momentum. I chose to write my article about children’s rights and why they’re important to me and other members of the community. I really enjoyed writing for the Examiner and it was really fun getting to put together all the elements, like interviews and photos.

What is your favourite thing about English?

I really like independent reading and thinking of creative ideas and ways I can include them in different styles of writing, like poetry.

What are you working on at the moment?

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading ‘Predator’s Gold’ by Philip Reeve, the second book in the ‘Mortal Engines’ series. The series is set in the future in a world where all the cities and towns are massive machines on wheels that hunt each other down. The story revolves around two main characters; Tom and Hester and their struggle to survive.

What is your favourite book and why?

I have lots of favourite books! One of my favourite genres is historical/realistic fiction. Some books I love from that sort of genre are; ‘Within these Walls’ and ‘Refugee’. I’m interested in learning about past events and how they’ve impacted people’s lives. I have a lot of empathy for those characters. I also enjoy fantasy and Science fiction novels.

What are some books you would like to read?

I’d like to finish the 'Mortal Engines' series and read 'Chaos Walking' by Patrick Ness.

A MATTER OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS:

Picture:  Jasmin Jones

Children have rights, just like adults. Although they are very similar, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) explains that all adults and governments have additional responsibilities to ensure that young people have access to their own rights.

The Convention has 42 articles in total, all based around 4 key principals, which are non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, ensuring survival and development and participation. It also incorporates a full range of international human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights as well as a few aspects of humanitarian law. But why do they matter?

“They matter to me because I’m a child and I get to have some say in what happens in my life” answered Stella Jones, age 12 when asked about why her rights are important to her. “It’s not all up to the adults and I get at least some freedom”

 “The best interests of children and young people should be a top priority in all decisions that affect them.” The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Leanne McLean says. “Children and young people have the right to have a say in all matters that affect them and for their views to be taken into account. This “right to be heard” is essential to promoting and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people.”

14 year old Alexander Lyons explained that from his point of view it’s all about being equal. “In my eyes children’s rights are so important as they give all children a sense of equality. No matter who they are or where they’re from they all have the same rights. I feel that nowadays equality is such a big issue but things like this can help change that”

There are so many well grounded and justifiable reasons as to why children’s rights really do matter. From my perspective it’s about making children feel valid and giving them opportunities. By having our own rights, we are recognised as individuals, not controlled by the adults around us, but defined as equals. They give us a voice to speak up about our changing world, which is especially important with the increasing issue of climate change and other topics of social injustice. It’s crucial for children to have their own rights to aid in healthy development. The rights are a safety blanket for young people, reminding them they’re not alone, they are important, and they deserve the best life possible.