St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Blayney

Pastoral Care Policy

“What makes the Catholic school distinctive is its attempt to

generate a community climate in school that is permeated by

the Gospel spirit of freedom and love.”

The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, 1988

Our Mission

Inspired by Mary MacKillop’s example, St Joseph’s aims to provide a quality Catholic education that prepares each student for the  future through care and high quality teaching based on our values of excellence, respect, justice, service and compassion.

At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School we are therefore committed to:

Catholic Ethos

A catholic school community that:

• Plans and provides a high quality contemporary education for each member of our learning community.
• Encourages each student to shape and enrich our changing world by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Gives each student the opportunity to celebrate his or her success and talents.

Quality Education

A Catholic School community that:

• Encourages every student to meet his or her full potential, academically, socially, emotionally, physically  and spiritually.
• Promotes learning that is dynamic, lifelong and meaningful.
• Provides opportunities for learners to explore, reflect, revise and apply.
• Is committed to collaborative learning which strengthens student’s ability to cooperate with others,  think critically and develop resilience.
• Encourages ongoing professional learning for all.
• Recognises that a learning environment should be supportive, stimulating, flexible and affirming

Stewardship / Sustainability

A Catholic school community that:

• Promotes quality and effective leadership.
• Develops harmonious and professional relationships.
• Engages in effective planning for short and long-term goals.
• Manages resources responsibly and effectively.
• Demonstrates outreach and participates in the activities of the wider community.
• Respects God’s creation and is committed to ecological education and practices.

Belief Statement

The Staff at St Joseph’s catholic Primary School believe:

• Every person has the right to be respected.
• All students have the right to be educated in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.
• Positive reinforcement promotes self-esteem and is important for the total development of each child.
• Each student’s talents and achievements should be acknowledged and celebrated.
• Positive role modelling encourages students to respect and care for others in the community.
• Gospel values such as faith, hope, love, forgiveness, and justice permeate the life of the school.
• All students have the right to be safe from physical and psychological harm.

Therefore we believe:

• We all have rights and responsibilities.
• The most effective school discipline is based on the respect for the feelings of others, where the children’s  sense of security and self-respect can grow, and in turn strengthen respect for others.
• Students must be given opportunities to develop skills in order to make sound judgments and positive  choices.
• That students should be encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions.
• Students should be made aware of both the positive and negative consequences of their actions for  themselves and others.
• Quality teaching and learning occurs in an environment where guidelines are clear and consistent.
• Disciplinary measures are approached to foster responsibilities for actions and heal destructive  behaviours and breaches of order.

Rationale

Positive and responsible student behaviour is essential to the smooth running of the school, to the achievement  of optimal learning opportunities, and to the development of a supportive and cooperative school environment.

“Because we believe that authentic Catholic schools are founded on the person of Jesus Christ and enlivened by  the Gospel, we are committed to the development of Catholic schools which:

• embrace the example of Jesus and the teaching of the Gospel, especially in relation to faith, hope, love,  forgiveness, justice and freedom
• reflect the love of God within their communities

Pastoral Care of Students in Catholic Schools, CEO Sydney 2003

Aims

• To foster the dignity, self-esteem and integrity of each person.
• To build a school environment based on positive behaviour, mutual respect and cooperation that ensure a  safe nurturing learning environment for students.
• To manage inappropriate behaviour in a positive and professional manner.
• To establish well-understood and logical consequences for student behaviour.
• To develop in children a sense of responsibility so that students gain the competence, confidence and right to  participate in the cultural and productive life of society.

Implementation Procedures:  

School

• Our Pastoral Care Policy will place significant emphasis on the development and recognition of positive  behaviours that reflect Christian values.
• The school is committed to Restorative Practices when dealing with the children at St Joseph’s CPS.
• Personal Development and Religious Education Programs focus on learning and teaching strategies that will  guide and promote positive values and attitudes relating to personal relationships and behaviour.
• A Peer Support Program has been implemented K-6
• A Buddy System has been implemented K-6
• Leadership opportunities are given to senior students through the Student Representative Council, Peer  Support and Buddy Programs.
• Positive student behavioural achievements will be appropriately recognised through the schools award system.
• Professional development for all staff will be provided at staff meetings on student behaviour and discipline  management.
• The school curriculum will include units on resilience, peer pressure, positive choices, bullying, conflict  resolution and leadership.
• Students experiencing difficulty achieving positive behavioural outcomes will undertake individualised  behaviour management programs focussing upon agreed goals.

• Consequences for ongoing inappropriate behaviour may include counselling, loss of privileges or suspension. ∙ Parents will be kept informed and actively encouraged to assist in the development of their children’s  behavioural performance.

Community

The St Joseph’s CPS dimension of pastoral care supports the development of parent, parish and diocesan  partnerships. Based on relationships of trust and cooperation, St Joseph’s CPS will have an orientation that empowers  families and strengthens relationships between home, school and parish.

• The St Joseph’s CPS values hospitality, inclusion and empathy. The school offers a supportive environment  where parents and community members feel valued, empowered and affirmed.
• St Joseph’s CPS aims to provide effective networks of care: Everyone in the school community has the right to be  safe in the school environment and has the responsibility to be involved in pastoral care.
• Pastoral Care involves a partnership with parents and fosters trust and communication between home and  school. It provides a forum of parental input into many aspects of school life and provides opportunities for parental  involvement.
• St Joseph’s CPS is respectful of diverse cultural and family structures, and supportive of families in crisis. The school  community particularly supports students at risk.

All members may be concerned for one another. If one member

suffers, all members suffer: if one member is honoured, all

members share this joy. You then are the body of Christ.

(1 Corinthians 12:25-27)

Implementation Strategies

Guided by Gospel values, the following  strategies are implemented within the St Joseph’s CPS Pastoral Care Program.

Buddy Program 

A buddy system between students in Kindergarten and Year 6 occurs. Within this program, Kindergarten  students are orientated into the school community. They are supported and encouraged throughout the year  through regular contact with their designated ‘buddy’. This promotes responsibility and leadership for our senior  students.

Peer Support Program 

Year 6 students receive training in Peer Support in preparation to deliver the program.  Please refer to the school document ‘Peer Support Procedures’ which is available on St Joseph’s Drive.

Student Representative Council

A Student Representative Council is elected at the end of Term Four. The SRC encourages responsibility and leadership  from the students elected to represent their class at SRC meetings. It also allows all students the opportunity to  contribute to decision-making processes within the school. All contributions are respected and valued.  

Student Merit Awards 

Merit and other significant school awards are presented at all Stage Assemblies held throughout each term. These  awards are to assist students in developing a wide range of skills, knowledge and attitudes..  

Mini Vinnies 

At St Joseph’s CPS Blayney, students are given the opportunity to be involved in Mini Vinnies which is a program from  the St Vincent De Paul Society.

Mini Vinnies creates awareness among students about issues that exist around them, whether in their own  community or beyond. It reinforces the mission of Vinnies and instils in them the opportunity to be  compassionate and run simple, yet effective initiatives with their school peers so together they can make a  difference.

Senior Citizen’s Celebrations 

A significant feature of the St Joseph’s CPS Pastoral Care Program is the celebration of Senior Citizen’s  each year. Students go into the wider community to visit and entertain residents of Lee Hostel and Uralba  Nursing home. We welcome senior members of the community to enjoy a liturgical celebration and host a special Grandparent’s Day each year. 

Stage Assemblies 

Stage assemblies celebrate special achievements. Each term classes have the  opportunity to share and demonstrate their creativity through performance, which include drama, music and  dance.

Promoting Individual Talents 

Students with ‘special’ talents are fostered and catered for through activities, which include: school choir,  private music lessons, CWA public speaking and any opportunities for participation in school liturgies, school  assemblies and special presentations.

Discretionary Basis

The Principal has the right of discretion to make provision for departure from the policy or the application of the policy in  the event of unforeseen and exceptional circumstances.

Review date