Pastoral Care Policy
Pastoral Care Policy 2014
Definition:
School pastoral care is a systematic approach to education, which seeks to cherish, support, respect, nurture and encourage every member of the school community.
Rationale:
To complement the school mission statement which states that, “Coláiste Phádraig aims to encourage the development of the spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, creative and physical qualities of each student”.
To fulfil the legal requirements of the Education Act.
Aims:
Through our pastoral care policy we aim
1. To create and maintain an atmosphere where all members of the school community feel that they are known, safe, valued, respected and happy.
2. To support the ideals enshrined in the school mission statement.
3. To build an atmosphere of trust.
4. To respond in a sympathetic way to the concerns, fears, and worries of our pupils.
Content :
1. Ethos
The ethos of the school informed by the ERST Charter will be reflected in the moral, intellectual, spiritual, personal and social development of our students. The principal, senior management team and staff will promote an atmosphere of care and respect within the life of the school community.
2. Relationships
A good relationship between pupils and staff is paramount to generating a positive climate within the school community where every individual feels valued and cared for at all times. Good relationships will be nurtured between:
Staff and pupils
Pupils and their peers
Members of staff
Senior management team and staff
3. Self-Esteem/Personal Development
Personal and social development is a pre-requisite for successful learning: a young person who has a high degree of self-worth, a sense of security and a positive self image will be more predisposed to school life and to the variety of learning situations it offers. This is promoted in all classes, most especially through the S.P.H.E classes which students participate in on a weekly basis at Junior Certificate level.
4. Career Guidance Counselling
The career guidance counsellors have a pivotal role to play in the school. They aim to facilitate all students career needs and assure them of continuous support and counselling. This happens as often as time-limits allow.
The career guidance counsellor(s) facilitates students’ access to the following services:
(a) Personal development programmes: Assisting pupils by providing counselling, liaison with outside agencies, including Department of Education and Science Psychologists (NEP’s) and Health Boards.
(b) Educational Development Programmes: Providing knowledge and skills relating to studying, exams and choices of subjects and subject levels.
(c) Career Information: Providing factual information relating to 3rd level study and other career options, while helping students to make informed career decisions by the use of aptitude, career-interest and other tests.
It is in this regard, care for the total well-being of the student – that guidance and counselling form an integral part of what pastoral care is.
5. Special Educational Needs Support
Our pastoral care policy alongside the special needs policy aims to ensure that all students have access to, participate in and gain positive outcomes from schooling.
The Learning Support Dept. and the whole staff of Coláiste Phádraig aim to cater for students who may experience difficulty in any learning/ subject area or who because of physical disability may need extra tuition or special arrangements at state exams.
The Learning Support Dept. take responsibility for an initiative, which offers a number of students access to a (supervised) classroom, before school and during breaks. This is used by students who find it difficult to mix with larger numbers. Supervision is carried out on a voluntary basis.
The unit for students on the Autistic Spectrum is also supervised as an additional space whenever needed by students who may be vulnerable.
6. The Pastoral Care Team
The Care Team is a group from within the staff who meet to assist with campaigns which help the student-body in areas related to well-being.
Each week Year-Heads meet with members of Management and the Guidance Department to discuss any Pastoral Issues related to their year groups. There are also 5 formal meetings over the course of the school year between Year Heads and class tutors to discuss any issues arising within the year group. Year Heads also liaise informally with class tutors as the need arises. In addition to this Year Heads also organise assemblies for year groups to communicate new initiatives or tackle issues as they may arise. Tutors meet with their tutor group for a 30 minute ‘tutor class’ period on average once a fortnight.
A member of staff acts as pastoral care liaison person. This person takes responsibility for notice-boards which give details of relevant organisations which can help students, as well as information-stands providing pamphlets on mental health issues. She/he also arranges communications from the Pastoral Care Team to student-groups through the promotion of campaigns such as “The Mind Your Buddy”, “Friendship Week” and Mental-Health Awareness Campaigns. She/he also keeps the notice board containing the name of students we need to ‘keep an eye on’ in the back staffroom up to date.
8: The Student Council
The student council has a very important role to play in the area of pastoral care. The council gives students a significant voice in the development of policy and affords students the opportunity to play an active and positive part in the life of the school.
9. The Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Council offers valued support to the school community in a number of ways.
– Organising parent nights
– Catering for school functions.
– Organising and assisting with the school book scheme.
10. The Class Tutor
The class tutor is the teacher who takes on the task of special care of one class unit.
She/he will have particular concern for each pupil in the class and is the first “port of call” in matters of student welfare.
(a) The class tutor monitors the progress of his/her students in every area of school life. They regularly check students’ journals.
(b) The class tutor works in close co-operation with other parts of the pastoral care structure to ensure the best solution is found to any difficulties that may arise for students.
(c) The class tutor will refer students on to others within the pastoral care structure when the need arises. They will also liaise with the parents of students within the tutor group when necessary.
Personal Safety
We will encourage students to be responsible for their own personal safety. The whole school community will be aware of the designated teacher who will be responsible for dealing with cases of child protection issues which come to light. In our school the Principal will act as the designated teacher. They will also be aware of the teachers responsible for first aid and what procedures are for dealing with children who need first aid. Students are encouraged to speak to their class tutor if they need help or are concerned.
Conclusion:
This policy will be reviewed bi-annually by the Principal and relevant members of staff and the Pastoral Care Team.