At St Joseph’s RC Primary School we place great importance in ensuring that all pastoral, social and emotional needs are met for every young person in our care.
All children starting in Reception are assigned a buddy from Year 6, who will aim to make their transition into primary school as easy as possible and provide any support needed at break times. Children are also assigned to a house group and they strive to earn “house points” throughout the week, through recognition of excellent behaviours, work and other good deeds. The winning team is given a ‘star’ each week, which is displayed in the school hall. Children also receive ‘smiley faces’ as recognition of good behaviour and work etc. and when they have received three, this is shared with the Executive Head and/or SLT, who will let them pick a prize from the golden tin!
Our KS2 children also have the opportunity to take part in residential visits throughout the year, which increases their resilience and independence, as well as being a chance to have lots of fun! These visits also act as key points for Year 6 transition to secondary – as they are generally shared trips with other feeder schools.
All children participate in PSHE lessons throughout the year, in which they tackle and explore a range of issues such as bullying, friendships, staying healthy, changes, as well as a whole school focus on relationships and sex education every summer. We aim to develop children’s awareness of their own and others emotions and how these can change. Anti-Bullying week is a focus each year in November.
E-safety is an important aspect of keeping your children safe in our school and we regularly promote the safe use of the internet, through teaching and updates through termly newsletters or wherever the need may arise. Safer Internet Day is also a key date in the school’s diary and workshops are rolled out for children and parents during this time.
As a school we regularly take part in charitable events in order to help the less fortunate within our society – both locally and on a more global scale. We also have “Mini Vinnies” who aim to help the school, local and wider communities.
When children experience difficulties in one of these areas we are able to support through a range of strategies including Getting Along groups and Relax Kids, which are taught by our teaching assistants or class teachers. At times we may need to ask for further advice from external agencies to support such as our Parent Support Advisor, the Emotional Wellbeing and Emotional Literacy team (EWEL) or CAMHS (Children and Adult Mental Health Service). When this occurs the parent or guardian will always be requested to give consent.
This year specific children have benefited from a ‘girls friendship group’, sessions on managing anxiety and building resilience provided by the EWEL team and Think Bubble.
