The function of Pastoral Care is to help, encourage and develop all pupils both as individuals, young people and as students.

Every teacher is responsible for Pastoral Care in every class.

Pastoral Care policy is that every pupil should have continuous points of reference (i.e. same Tutor & Head of Year) for advice, encouragement and trust over their time in school. 

The chief Pastoral Care officers are:  

·         The Principal
·         Head of  Pastoral Care
·         Vice Principal

·         Heads of Year

·         Tutors

The Head of Year is the leader of the Tutor Team.  She/he is responsible, through and with the Year Tutor Team, for the well being of every child in the year group.

The personal and social development of every child

The student’s whole experience of school should continually contribute to his/her personal and social development.  However the relationships between pupil and Tutor and between pupil and Head of Year are especially important.  Each Tutor is responsible for his/her tutor group under the guidance of the Head of Year.

The academic progress of every child

It is the Head of Year’s responsibility through the Year Team to ensure that each child is learning as effectively as possible.  The Head of Year shall therefore scrutinise, with the Year Tutors, the results of each monthly assessment, praise those doing well, identify and target under-achievers and communicate with parents.

The extra curricular provision for the year group as a whole

Extra curricular activities are an essential part of a good school.  H.O.Y encourages extra curricular activities in their group

Cara System

Every Year 8 pupil is given a special friend or ‘Cara’ from Year 12.  This helps each pupil to settle in quickly and gives them a feeling of security during this time of transition.

Pastoral Co-ordinator: Mrs Ca Devlin

Heads of Year  

Our staff will:

·               Foster in our pupils self – esteem, self respect and respect for others.

·               Demonstrate by example the high standards of personal and social behaviour we expectof our pupils.

·               Discuss bullying with all classes, so that every pupil learns about the damage it causes to both the child who is bullied and the bully. They will also learn the importance of telling a teacher when it happens.

·               Be alert to signs of distress and other possible indications of bullying.

·               Listen to children who have been bullied, take what they say seriously and act to support and protect them.

·               Report suspected cases of bullying to the Head of Year.

·               Follow up any complaint by a parent about bullying and report back promptly and fully on the action which has been taken.

·               Deal with observed instances of bullying promptly and effectively, in accordance with agreed procedures.

Anti Bullying

We believe that every child has the right to be at school; free from intimidation of any kind and that every child has the duty to respect each other’s person, property, time and point of view.

Drugs Education

The school’s programme aims to educate children about the dangers of drugs.  A copy of our Drugs Policy is available from the school. 

Relationship and Sexuality Education

This is a five year modular programme delivered through science, P.E., Learning for Life and Work, Pastoral Care and Religious education.  As a Catholic school we ensure that all issues are dealt with in a Christian and Catholic framework.

Child Protection

We in St Colm’s aim to provide a caring, supportive and safe environment;

·              It is our responsibility to ensurethat all individuals are protected from the risks of possible abuse.

·              The problem of child abuse, if it occurs,will not be ignored by anyone in our school.

·               All schools are required by law to have a Child Protection Policy. 

Attendance 

·               Daily attendance at school is essential.  Days lost are very difficult to make up.

·               Legally, parents are responsible for their children’s attendance at school

Parent/Teacher Meetings and Appointments

Appointments can be made to meet the Principal, Vice Principal, Head of Pastoral Care, Head of Year, Tutor, Careers Guidance Teacher or any other member of Staff. Monday – Thursday 3.10 – 4.15pm.

There will be a parent / teacher meeting for each year group once per year.

N.B. Detailed policy documents are freely available on request from the School Office.