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St. Mary's PS Portglenone

Policies

ASPECTS OF PASTORAL CARE

FOREWORD
At St. Mary’s pastoral care permeates all aspects of school life. It reflects the values, attitudes, beliefs and practices of our Catholic faith and involves all members of our school community – children, parents and all other adults who contribute to the well being of each child.

We strive to create an atmosphere where – God’s love is experienced by all members of the school community through their relationships with each other; where – Christ is the example to all; where each child is helped to develop to his/her full potential.

The atmosphere of the school is based upon good relationships between staff/ pupils/ parents.  As a staff we work as a team, respecting each others roles and recognising individual talents and expertise.  We are concerned with the needs and well being of each child and with the approaches and programmes we implement in order to aid his/her personal development.

We recognise and value the important role which parents play in their child’s education.  Every effort is made to make sure that parents feel welcome, that they are made aware of the school’s aims, objectives and policies and of their child’s individual needs, progress and achievements.  We expect our parents to co-operate fully with us in achieving these goals.

This booklet provides you with shortened versions of some of our Pastoral Care policies. More lengthy documents are available if you would like to read in more detail.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT

As a Catholic Maintained School, the staff and governors of St.Mary’s will adhere strictly at all times to the advice and guidance offered by C.C.M.S. on Child Protection (as detailed in its document on same – published Aug.’97 ) and to D.E.N.I. advice on Child Protection ( as detailed in D.E.N.I. publication – March ’99 “Pastoral Care in Schools” – Child Protection” – referred to in Circular 1999/10 ).  The Policy document prepared for St. Mary’s is reflective of the format and content of the C.C.M.S. document referred to above.  Our policy is consistent with the aims and objectives of Catholic education that all teachers have a duty to help protect children from abuse or risk of abuse.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The following principles underpin the guidance issued by four Area Child Protection Committees, the five Education and Library Boards and C.C.M.S.

  • The welfare of the child is paramount.
  • At all times there must be a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency approach and commitment to the protection, support and safeguarding of children from harm.
  • Each agency involved must have an understanding of each other’s professional values and accept each other’s role, powers and responsibilities.
  • Any action taken by agencies must be considered and well informed so that they are sensitive to and take account of the child’s sex, age, stage of development, religious culture and race.
  • The right to confidentiality for parents, carers, teachers and children must be respected and information will only be shared in the interests of the child’s welfare.