Pastoral Care

At St. Joseph’s we are proud of the good relationships that exist between teachers and students. Teachers at St. Joseph’s accept children as individuals of worth and value each one equally, as important members of the school community. Relationships are enhanced through our Personal Development Programme, which cultivates the growth of responsibility and develops self-confidence and self-discipline.

St. Joseph’s High School pays particular attention to its Pastoral Care Programme, since we believe that the purpose of all education is the development of the whole person. This enables each child to make the fullest use of the school to develop his / her study and social skills, deepen self-understanding and understanding of others.Each pupil in the school belongs to a form class of approximately 15 – 20 pupils and stays in with the same Form Teacher for five years. The Form Teacher meets with the form class each morning and for one
form period per week.

The form class is the secure base to which every student can relate. Form Teachers know each of their children well, and concern themselves with their personal welfare.

The Form Teacher has primary responsibility for monitoring the pupils’ welfare, progress, punctuality and behaviour and builds a special relationship with them. For each Year Group there is also a Year Head who co-ordinates the work of the Form Teacher and assists them in the counselling of their pupils.

Parents are welcome to contact the Form Teacher on any matter relating to their child’s progress or welfare.

Mentoring Programme

Students in Years 11 and 12 who require learning support and encouragement receive individual help and guidance in what’s known as the Mentoring Programme, provided by Mr Pat McGuigan, a former teacher, who is in school every week.

 

This programme has proved to be very successful with the students involved and has helped raise standards. The Inspectorate referred to its success in their report in November 2005 when they said “the intensive and effective mentoring system is valued by students.”

 

Merit System

Our Merit System is designed to promote positive discipline, promote positive behaviour and reward achievement.

Teachers use merits to celebrate success and to monitor pupil progress on a daily basis. This system encourages open communication between parents and Form Teachers. The pupil and the Form Teacher record merits each week and certificates and prizes are awarded to motivate pupils and encourage good behaviour.