Pastoral care and the welfare of every child are of central importance to our care of all children at Saint Christina’s School. Our school community is characterised by a close-knit, personal rapport that is shared among children, teachers and parents. New families are warmly welcomed into our community by members of staff and Parents’ Link.
Each child at Saint Christina’s School is valued according to their individual differences and children are encouraged to work in partnership with the teaching team to care for their classmates. Specific assemblies during the school year are aimed at ensuring that children feel secure and valued. This includes school-wide assemblies on friendship, leadership and bullying which support children to know who to talk to should they have any concerns or require additional support. During key stage and whole school assemblies, children’s work is affirmed and their achievements are celebrated as class merits, Mind Lab medals and other academic and sporting achievement certificates are awarded.
Through class council and school council sessions, children are encouraged to voice their opinions and suggestions for future developments in the school. These ideas are valued and are used in the development of school improvement plans for forthcoming years. Pastoral issues are an integral feature in the curriculum as children learn about friendships, care and wellbeing, health, rights and responsibilities and the role of individuals in a community. The school pastoral care system is supported by our Anti-Bullying Policy.
The children at Saint Christina’s School are allocated into the following school house groups: Bethany, Bethlehem and Nazareth which take the colours of yellow, blue and red. These are the house groups in which children compete during sporting events such as our Cross Country at Primrose Hill, Swimming Gala at Francis Holland School and Sports Day in Regent’s Park. These house groups are important to our pastoral care approach as children’s behaviour, progress and work is affirmed in the awarding of class based merits which are added to the house group total. In this way, children’s individual efforts contribute to the collective achievement of their house group.
The Year 6 student leaders are allocated prefect roles and serve particular leadership remits within the school including the roles of sports captains, eco-monitor, library monitors and school councillors. They take an active role in their care and concern for younger children and support the teaching team to ensure that playground pastoral care is extended to their younger peers.
As a first point of contact, the class teacher is receptive to listening to and monitoring any concerns and as a community we welcome home-school dialogue. Our doors are always open to discuss your child’s progress at a time which is mutually agreeable to the teaching team working with your child. Any individual issues will be investigated fairly and thoroughly and at all times, parents will be kept informed as situations are carefully monitored and resolved.