Education Minister, John O'Dowd, and Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency (PHA), Dr Eddie Rooney, are seeking examples of outstanding pastoral care in schools.
The Pastoral Care Awards were launched in 2014 in recognition of the exceptional care shown by St Mary’s Primary School, Derrytrasna for terminally ill pupil, Adele Madden.
Speaking today, Minister O’Dowd said:
“I believe there are many schools across our communities that go the extra mile everyday for their pupils. Young people today have many challenges to face and the support that schools provide can prove essential in helping them deal with the difficulties and hardships of life.
Exceptional pastoral care is not about the everyday support offered by schools. It is about a level of care and support that is over and above what is expected and it is important that we acknowledge and celebrate such work.
I am therefore delighted to invite nominations for the 2015 Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Award. The 25 nominations received last year show the value that communities place on our schools and I would like to see even more entries this year.”
The Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Award provides recognition to school communities that have demonstrated exceptional co-operative effort in supporting the pastoral care of pupils and their families. There will be one award each for the primary and post-primary sectors and in a new development for 2015, an award for the pre-school sector.
Dr Eddie Rooney said:
“The Public Health Agency is delighted to be involved with the Derrytrasna Award. Good pastoral care is integral to supporting pupils in terms of their personal and social development, including mental and emotional wellbeing, educational attainment and future life outcomes. I hope that this award will encourage schools to build on the work they currently do to promote positive mental health within the school and across the wider community.”
Marie Thompson of Malone College, one of last years winning schools said:
“Winning the Derrytrasna award was a huge honour and it was a wonderful experience for the whole school community. The award recognised the hard work and commitment of our staff that endeavour each and every day to deliver the best possible pastoral care in and outside the classroom.”
Niall McLean from Castlewellan Primary School, another of the winning schools said:
“We were absolutely delighted to have won the Derrytrasna Award for exceptional Pastoral Care in Castlewellan Primary School. The nurturing and care of our children is paramount to what we do every day. It is always deeply appreciated by schools when their hard work, love and dedication are recognised.”
Applications should be made by no later than 13 November 2015 using the form available on the DE website
Notes to editors:
- The Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Award is named after St Mary’s Primary School in Derrytrasna, the school whose exceptional pastoral care inspired the award. Plans for the award were first announced in June 2013 when Minister O’Dowd visited the school.
- Castlewellan Primary School, St Paul’s Junior High in Lurgan and Malone Integrated College were the 2014 winners of the award, at an event 20 April 2015, held in the Senate Chamber, Stormont Buildings.
- Whilst there was no pre-school category in 2015, the nomination for Stanhope Nursery School made a strong case and the selection panel felt the school should be awarded a certificate to acknowledge the quality of pastoral care. A Pre-school category is now part of the 2016 Award.
- Further information about the award can be viewed on nidirect
- The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit nidirect for more information or watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel
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