St Mary's Primary School
Comber
Welcome
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care
The wellbeing of every child is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where all pupils feel valued, supported, and able to thrive both academically and personally. Our warm and caring ethos permeates all aspects of our school life. It reflects the values, attitudes, beliefs and practices of our Catholic faith and involves all members of our school community.
Our comprehensive pastoral care framework is underpinned by a range of policies developed in consultation with pupils, staff, parents, and our Board of Governors. These include:
- Our Positive Behaviour Policy, which promotes respect, responsibility, and kindness through our Five Golden Rules and a range of Positive Behaviour Management Strategies. These include Pupil of the Week and Golden Time. The pupils’ successes are celebrated at weekly assemblies.
- Our Child Protection Policy which facilitates disclosure, safeguards and protects our pupils, enabling them to feel secure and free from emotional and physical harm. Records of Child Protection related concerns are kept safe, secure and confidential in the Principal’s office.
- Our Anti-Bullying Policy, that creates a culture where everyone feels safe and respected.
- Our Healthy Living Policy encouraging positive lifestyle choices. We recognise that children’s physical and emotional health is essential to their learning and development. We have a Healthy Breaks Initiative where we work in co-operation with our parents to ensure that all food and drinks consumed at break time are healthy. Children are also encouraged to bring healthy food for lunch. Exercise is promoted through the P.E. curriculum, multi-skills development, swimming, football, netball, after school sport and annual sponsored walks.
- Our First Aid and Administering Medicine policies ensure that pupils’ medical needs are met safely and with dignity alongside our Intimate Care Policy which has been carefully designed to protect the welfare and rights of children who require personal care support.
These policies reflect our whole-school approach to pastoral care, where open communication and partnership between home and school are vital. We work closely with families to support each child’s individual needs, ensuring they feel happy, confident, and ready to learn.
**Copies of our Health and Wellbeing Policies can be obtained on request from the school secretary.**