INTRODUCTION
Our Pastoral Care Policy is in keeping with our Mission Statement.
RATIONALE OF THIS POLICY
a) To develop and value each member of the school community.
b) To support every member of the school community, especially at times of personal
Difficulty.
c) To respect religious and cultural diversity.
GOALS OF THIS POLICY
a) To foster a happy school community within a caring supportive environment.
b) To care for and to help develop the full potential of each student…
c) To develop mutually supportive staff relationship which contributes to a good atmosphere
in the staff room.
d) To encourage a sense of social justice and responsibility.
e) To establish and maintain a good support between school, home and the community.
f) To prepare students for adult life.
g) To provide a caring and supportive environment.
h) To encourage a positive self-image in students.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Board of Management
a) To ensure that school policy is developed and reviewed regularly.
b) To ensure that the policy is developed in consultation with all staff, students, parents and
community.
c) To ensure that the policy is effective and is implemented.
d) To approve/ratify the policy.
2. Principal / Deputy Principal
a) To make provision for Pastoral Care.
b) To encourage extra- curricular activities-e.g.-sporting, social, academic and musical.
c) Acknowledge and reward all efforts and achievements.
3. Year Heads
a) Liaise with staff and students.
b) Help create a positive attitude within the Year Group.
c) Meet the class group as required.
d) Organise the induction of new students.
4. Subject Teachers
a) Be familiar with and support our Pastoral Care policies and report concerns to appropriate
persons.
b) Promote a positive teaching and learning environment within the classroom.
c) Encourage the active involvement of each student in the learning process.
5. Career / Guidance Counsellor
a) Be available for individual consultation with parents and students throughout the school year.
b) Advise students on all aspects of subject choice, third level courses and the world of work. The general role of the Counsellor is to enable each student to identify his/her abilities, interest and talents.
c) Individual counselling will be available to all students as required.
6.Special Needs Teachers
a) Identify students in need of learning support services.
b) Offer such students a programme to help them with their educational needs.
7. Parents
a) Support the Pastoral Care Policy of the school.
b) Attend school related meetings.
c) Report concerns re/family members attending this school to appropriate persons.
8. Home – School Community Liaison Coordinator
To carry out the duties as outlined in the HSCL Guidelines for Schools, issued Feb. 2007
POLICY CONTENT
a) There is a well organised programme of Pastoral Care for each student.
Pastoral Care shall include:
1) Introduction of new teachers.
2) Introduction of new students.
3) Counselling
4) Student Assemblies.
5) Attention to each student’s academic progress.
6) Sporting and Extra – Curricular activities.
b) There is a written Anti-Bullying policy in this school.
c) Year Heads will meet as required to organise, monitor, evaluate and review the Pastoral
Care Policy of this school
d) Care of the individual student is ensured by having a contact system through the Year Head and Home- School Liaison Coordinator
e) Learning needs will be catered for through special support and the Book – Lending Scheme.
f) There will be regular Parent/ Guardian contact through reports, letters, meetings, telephone and Home-School Liaison visits. Parents/Guardians are welcome to visit the school by appointment to discuss any aspects of the student’s schooling.
g) Nurturing of Staff
We will provide a good support system for ALL staff.
h) School-Community Building Activities
All new students will be welcomed and an induction service will be provided. Many of the following activities will be provided but may change from year to year.
*Breakfast Club
*Lunch-Time food
*Lunch-Time activities
*Outings and Tours
*New students to be “Paired” with suitable classmate to allow for “settling – in”.
*Sports, Drama and Carol Services.
*Graduation and Awards Ceremonies.
*Participation in charitable events such as Concern Fast.
* Availability of local and national newspapers.
*Fundraising events as may arise from time to time.
*Production of an annual School Magazine
i) Home/School//Community
* Home/School Community Liaison co-ordinator (DEIS)
* Notices to parents, including reports.
* Parents’ Association.
* Close links with “Feeder” Primary Schools…Visits, Open Days etc
* Work Experience and Visiting Speakers.
*Newsletter
*Parent-Teacher Meetings.
*Annual school magazine-”The Rising Sound” (Founded 1973)
j) Performance Criteria
* The goals of the policy are attained.
*Good relationships are achieved.
*Good attendance by students and staff.
*Minimal disruption through misbehavior.
* Mutual respect between all members of the school community.
k) Major Incident
The management team, including Principal, Deputy Principal and Assistant Principals along with the School Counselor will coordinate the appropriate response as they see fit in the circumstances.