PASTORAL CARE
In St Joseph’s Primary School we recognise that children who are relaxed and happy are more likely to experience academic success and accept new ideas and people. The paramount concern of all our staff is the safety, health and well-being of every child in our care and we seek to ensure that every one of our children thrives in a safe and happy environment. We promote good relationships between teachers, pupils, parents and all the other agencies that support our school.
Our Pastoral Care policy reflects the attitudes, values, beliefs and practices of our Catholic faith and involves all members of our school community.
Through the implementation of our Pastoral Care policy the school aims:
- To strive to foster Gospel values and to create a mutually respectful atmosphere where pupils feel known, safe, valued and respected, and to learn to respond positively to the activities and events of school life;
- To develop responsible and well-educated pupils with a keen sense of personal worth and an interest in lifelong learning: children who have the social skills and confidence to build positive relationships with their peers, families, staff and other adults; pupils who have learned to embrace diversity and have the capabilities to cope with the successes and failures, the joys and sorrows of everyday life;
- To nurture the talents of pupils and celebrate the achievements of all;
- To respond sympathetically in an atmosphere of trust to the concerns, needs and worries of all our pupils; and
- To increase the awareness of pupils to potential dangers that exist around them both inside and outside the school environment.
The Principal, Mr Donaldson, has special responsibility for pastoral care in the school. If, at any time, you have concerns about any aspect of the pastoral provision for your child, please make an appointment to speak with Mr Donaldson.
The pastoral care of pupils will be developed and enhanced through a wide range of activities and opportunities which compliment curricular provision.
These include:
Assemblies
Whole school and class liturgical events
Recognition of achievements in and out of school
The celebration of children’s work and efforts
Class duties
The involvement of pupils in charities
Children supporting the wider community
The Citizen of the Month award
World Book Day
Extra-curricular activities
Sport and instrumental programmes
Educational visits
Events during the year which reinforce important pastoral information e.g. anti-bullying week
Catholic Schools Week
School and Eco Councils