“The quality of the arrangements for the pastoral care provision in the school and nursery unit is very good. The holistic development of each child is central to the ethos and work of the school.”

(Education Training Inspector, 2013)

 

 

 

The most important aspect of Pastoral Care is to ensure the safety of all children. All staff and volunteers, prior to working

We believe that effective Pastoral Care must be supported by cooperation and communication between home and school.  It is, therefore, vital that we are informed of any changes in circumstances that may affect your child. If something prevents a child from being happy and contented then school and home must cooperate to achieve this as soon as possible.  It is always good to make contact before a real problem arises. All matters will be handled with complete confidence and children involved will be treated with sensitivity.

The relationship between teacher and child is at the heart of Dundonald Primary School's approach to Pastoral Care. The class teacher guides and counsels each child in their care. Our aim is to ensure that each child is happy, contented and working to their full potential.inschool, will have been subject to Access NI clearance. Staff and Volunteers are fully aware of child protection procedures and are trained in the appropriate procedures and actions to be taken.

   

 

 

 

SAFEGUARDING TEAM

 

  Designated Teacher for Child Protection  - Mrs S Burns - Vice-Principal

 

  Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection - Mr J Byers - Principal

 

  Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection - Mrs M Savage - Learning Support Coordinator

 

   Chair of Governors- Mr G Ennis

 

   Board of Governor Safeguarding- Mr R Baxter

 

  

 

SCHOOL COUNSELLING SERVICE

 

Our School has provided a school counselling service for a number of years, this service is available to all the pupils, from P1-P7.  Our school counsellors are Margaret Harding and a counsellor from the  ImagineIf Counselling Team (to be confirmed for 2022/23 academic year).  ImagineIf are the recognised provider of Post-Primary Schools Counselling in the Bangor, North Down & Ards area.

 

Our ImagineIf counsellor is available in school every Tuesday and Margaret is available in school every Thursday and will be happy to see any pupil who wants to discuss issues that concern or worry them.  Most pupils want to talk about normal things that happen in everyday life like a fall out with friends or a change in their life or family or a bereavement.  We believe that parents are the most important adults in a child’s life, so the school counsellor will always encourage them to talk to you about their worries as well. 

 

While school counselling is a confidential service we recognise the need for parents to be involved in helping their child make the choice about seeing the school counsellor.

 

Drop in sessions are available for pupils as well.  Permission forms will be sent home with your child at the start of the school year.

 

If you are interested in your child attending School Counselling please speak to Mrs Burns or your child's class teacher who will pass the details to Mrs Burns. You can email Mrs Burns directly on sburns528@c2kni.net 

 

Ready for Anything has been an integral part of our Heqlth and Wellbeing programme for the last 4 years.  Over 300 pupils from P1-7 have attended.the after school programme. Building resilience in our young people has been prioritised in our school.  Ready for Anything has also been  running a focused programme within school for those pupils identified as needing to build their self-esteem, consider decision making and build friendships.

We have been offering Relax Kids to our pupils as an after school club for the last 4 years as part of our Health and Wellbeing programme.

On our return in September 2020, focusing on our pupils mental health, Relax Kids is being rolled out across all year groups for a 4 week period and by April all pupils P1-P7 should have engaged in this programme.

 

 

 

 

 

Dundonald Primary School recognised for providing Exceptional Pastoral Care

Presentation of Derrytrasna Award at Stormont

 

L to R: Mrs K Walker (DPS- Familyworks counsellor) Ms Valerie Watts(Chief Executive Public health Agency) Mrs K Stevenson Vice Principal, accompanied by P7 pupils, Mr Derek Baker Permanent Secretary, Department of Education

 

DUNDONALD PRIMARY SCHOOL RECEIVES AWARD FOR ITS EXCEPTIONAL PASTORAL CARE.

In Dundonald Primary School and Nursery Unit the welfare of our pupils is paramount and we endeavour to offer the best possible care and support to everyone who needs it. We recognise how critical a child’s emotional health and well being is to their all-round development in order to achieve their full academic potential. To be nominated and win an award such as the Derrytrasna Award for exceptional pastoral care was very humbling and a great honour to be recognised for what comes naturally as part of our day to day work.

 

The Derrytrasna Award is presented by the Department of Education and the Public Health Agency to schools who have demonstrated exceptional pastoral care in supporting the emotional health and well being of pupils and their families.

Dundonald Primary School was chosen as the primary winner from 350 schools nominated.