St Malachy’s seeks to provide an environment in which students, staff and parents are committed to the idea of excellence within a caring, supportive community. The Pastoral Care Policy of St Malachy’s is based on the principles of Catholic education, committed to the development of the whole human being.

The aims of the Pastoral Care policy are:

·         To see all members of the school community as individuals of equal worth;

·         To encourage students and staff to see St Malachy’s as a community to which each individual can make a unique and valuable contribution;

·         To create a caring, secure and supportive atmosphere for all members of the community;

·         To support the academic, social, and personal development of the students.

The aims of the Pastoral Care policy are promoted by all members of staff and through the school community

·         Students have “open access” to all staff, Vice-Principals and the Principal

·         There is a Year Head for each group who, assisted by the Class Tutors, have overall responsibility for the academic, social, and personal development of the students in their charge

·         Within the classroom, the subject teacher seeks to foster self-esteem, self-motivation and achievement in students, through judicious praise, the valuing of students’ expression and the celebration of achievements

·         Beyond the classroom the aims of the Pastoral Care are developed by staff in the provision of a variety of extra-curricular activities, field trips and educational visits

·         St Malachy’s places great emphasis on the importance of service to others

·         Year Group assemblies are intended to address personal, social and moral issues within a Christian framework

·         The PSHE programme/ Careers Education and Guidance / Citizenship programme are designed to promote student development in keeping with the aims of the Pastoral Care policy   outside school are given appropriate recognition

·         Students are encouraged to show care and consideration towards each other. Prefects, Monitors and Peer Mentors have particular responsibilities.

·         The School works in partnership with parents. Parents are encouraged to contact the school at any time. Parents’ meetings are held each year for all year groups and there are also Information Evenings as appropriate

·         Parents are represented on the Board of Governors

·         There is a School Council to give students a real voice in the life and work of the school

·         In order to provide support to all pupils, the school liaises with a range of external agencies through the BELB and the North and West Belfast Trust. A trained counsellor visits the school on a weekly basis

·         The School is a member of NAPCE

SMT are responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the Pastoral Care policy in the school.

The aims of the PC policy underpin the following policies:

Alcohol and Smoking

Anti-Bullying

Behaviour (Discipline)

Child Protection

Drugs Education

Special Educational Needs

Assessment

Teaching and Learning

The policy is reviewed every two years.