SCHOOLS that go over and above what is expected are to be rewarded for their outstanding pastoral care.
The Department of Education, in partnership with the Public Health Agency, is seeking nominations for the The Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Award.
It provides recognition to school communities that have demonstrated exceptional co-operative effort in supporting the pastoral care of pupils and their families.
Schools "that go above and beyond to make a real difference to their pupils lives".
The award was created in honour of the care that St Mary's PS in Derrytrasna, Co Armagh gave its pupils when one was battling cancer.
Adele Madden, a P5 pupil at St Mary's, was diagnosed in 2009 and died in February 2011 aged eight.
Her mother Eleanor wrote to former education minister John O'Dowd last year praising the school, a letter he described as moving and inspirational.
Mrs Madden described how principal Joan Aldridge, her staff and daughter's classmates all worked together "to make Adele's last days at school so happy and so special".
The department said exceptional pastoral care was not about the everyday support offered by schools - it is about a level of care and support that is "over and above what is expected and what is offered to pupils by teachers or the school community".
Holy Trinity College in Cookstown was among the winners this year.
"It was a great honour for Holy Trinity College to achieve The Derrytrasna Award, as it recognised the great work within our nurture provision, and the lengths which staff go to in order to address the varying needs of the pupils in our care," said principal Isabel Russell.
"It is gratifying to know that we have been acknowledged for helping pupils overcome many barriers to learning, be they social, emotional and/or behavioural, and that we are helping pupils to build their resilience against the difficulties which many face on a regular basis."
:: Applications should be made by no later than December 15 at www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/derrytrasna-award-pastoral-care.
