Pastoral Structure

Good pastoral case grows out of quality relationships between staff and pupils.  To this end, pupils are encouraged to approach all, or any, member of staff with concerns that arise.  However, for good organisation, a formal structure exists.  Each class has a form tutor who is responsible for the initial pastoral care of the pupils in that class.  The form tutor meets with the class every day for registration and is the first point of contact for support, advice or minor concerns.  On one morning per week the registration time is extended for Class Conference Time.

Each Year group is the responsibility of the year tutor, with special interest and expertise in matters relating to the individual year group.  In year eight the Year Tutor focuses on the induction and pastoral care of all incoming year eights.  The tutor for Year 9 pupils moves with the group into Year 10 and similarly the tutor for Year 11 moves with the group into Year 12.  A specialist tutor is responsible for Years 13 & 14.

The Personal Development programme is delivered by a core team with specialist training at Key Stages 3, 4, & 5.

Prefects and Peer Mentors are trained to support younger pupils and provide an important thread in the pastoral programme.

Pastoral care is a big part of school life

Pastoral Curriculum

All pupils follow a pastoral curriculum, in the form of a Personal Development programme, comprised of Citizenship, Personal, Social & Health Education and Employability.  The PSHE programme includes Drugs Education, Health Education and Relationshops & Sexuality Education.  Some pupils at Key Stage 4 follow the Learning for Life & Work leading to GCSE.  It is planned to extend this provision to all pupils at Key Stage 4.

Promoting Good Attendance

The College believes that good attendance and punctuality are central to the learning process.  For a child to succeed in the school environment, it is essential that a high level of attendance is maintained.  An encouragement and reward programme exists to promote best attendance and a support programme is in place, in liaison with the Education Welfare Service, to address issues of non-attendance, school refusal, truancy etc.

Child Protection

All pupils have the right to expect that every member of staff, both teaching and non-teaching, will do whatever is reasonable to safeguard each pupil's welfare and safety.  We seek to provide a secure environment in which each pupil can learn and develop effectively.  The designated child protection officer is the principal.  In her absence, the deputy principal is the Deputy Designated Officer.

Anti-Bullying

Dunclug College takes a serious view of the issue of bullying and does all it can to ensure that any type of bullying, no matter how small, is addressed.  There is a clear anti-bullying policy to which all parents and pupils are invited to contribute.  We seek to identify the underlying cause of problems that arise and to use strategies which will bring about lasting change.

Home/School Links

The school places emphases on good relationships and regular meaningful communication with parents:

• On admission to the school, parents of pupils receive a pack containing information about the school and all relevant documentation
  
• Each June, all families receive updated copies of school policies on Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and Discipline, together with uniform lists, school rules and other relevant information
  
• Information gathered is updated annually and parents are asked to keep school involved in all matters of health, or relating to the well-being of their children
  
• A bulletin is produced each tem for parents by the principal, updating them about activities, plans etc., and giving relevant information
  
• A detailed induction programme is provided for both pupils and parents, as detailed above.  This applies to incoming Year 8 pupils and also pupils transferring into any of the other year groups
  
• A Parents' Evening/Afternoon is held for all year groups to allow consultation with all subject teachers.  In Years 8, 10, 12 & 13, this involves a presentation by the principle or senior staff
  
• During the school year, parents are consulted about, and kept informed of, all matters relating to the welfare, progress or discipline of their child
  
• Parents/Carers may make an appointment at any time with the school staff and school may arrange interviews with parents on matters arising
  
• Written reports are prepared annually at the end of the school year
  
• Pupils are encouraged in, and assisted with, the preparation of the National Record of Achievement, which details all aspects of their school experience, both inside and outside the classroom and is an excellent record fo employers/further Education establishments
  
• Parents are given opportunity to respond to, and comment upon, key policies such as Anti-Bullying, Child Protection and Discipline and other matters such as RSE and the annual school report
  
• A Parent/Teacher Organization meets regularly to consider development issues and organise fund-raising events
  
• The annual parents meeting is an opportunity for parents to hear the Annual School Report and to make comment
  

Positive Discipline & Behaviour Management

At Dunclug we promote self discipline, encourage good behaviour and use positive behaviour management strategies when pupils experience difficulty.

We believe that we maintain good behaviour by:

• providing a high quality of teaching and a wide range of meaningful experience for pupils both inside and outside the classroom
• providing support, encouragement and a system of target setting for improvement at all levels
• promoting safety in school through good supervision, anti-bullying and child protection procedures
• rewarding success: academic, vocational, sporting and cultural pursuits, endeavour and behaviour.  These rewards are distributed throughout the year in class, special assemblies, sports prize-giving and our annual prize giving evening.  They consist of cups, shields, medals and certificates for pupils who attain the highest levels of achievement.  Good behaviour, attendance and hard work are also rewarded with book tokens and vouchers
• providing a wide range of extra-curricular activities through which pupils develop their individual talents and gifts

House System

The House System refers to a grouping of pupils, rather than to a particular building.  The house system has been common in the state sector for many years and promotes good interaction, good pastoral care and the constant quest for high standards.

How it works
Pupils are divided into four houses, which in Dunclug are named after local areas:  Ballyloughin, Harberton, Pinegrove and Rathmore.

Why do we use/need such a system?
Today, the house system exists largely for the purposes of building teamwork and developing healthy competition.  The traditional school sports day is usually an inter-house competition.  Debating competitions and charity drives are also often organised along inter-house lines.  Merit points for behaviour and academic achievement may also be totally up for comparison between houses.

How are pupils assigned?
Pupils may be assigned to houses randomly, on their first or last names or based on ability, with the aim of balancing the houses in order to increase competition.

House Captain, Deputy House Captains
One notable feature of the house system is the nomination and election, or appointment, of house captains for the junior and senior school, whose job it is to rally fellow house-members and to pick individuals for team events.  Large schools may have a house captain for each year group (with vice-captains in the largest schools).  Teaching staff are allocated to the Houses and assist with leadership where necessary.

School Council

Dunclug College will be operating a school council from September 2007 onwards.  It will be linked closely to the Dunclug House System.  Those pupils elected as Captains/Vice Captains for each house will automatically gain a position on the school council.

A school council is a formal group of pupils elected by their peers to represent them and their views.  It is also an important way in which schools can provide meaningful leadership opportunities for pupils.  Councils can actively explore a wide range of issues which effect young people, within a framework which, as far as possible, ensures that the advice presented to pupils is balanced and relates to school activities, and not influenced by wider community and leadership interests.

The Dunclug College school council will provide further opportunities for pupils outside the classroom and allow them to participate in their education more effectively knowing when their ideas are listened to and their opinions valued.

Mrs. Dempsey will be overseeing the school council.  Look out for your school council and speak to your House Captain/Vice Captain to bring forward your ideas and opinions.

Memorial Garden

This garden was created in memory of pupils, staff and governors who are remembered fondly by friends and colleagues.

The School Memorial Garden

Reward System

On the 20th June 2007, approximately 200 students were taken on a trip to Carnfunnock Country Park as a reward for good attendance, punctuality and a consistent high standard of work throughout the school year.  This is just one example of how the school rewards the pupils for their hard work and for that extra effort each made by pupils.

Throughout the term pupils have opportunity to gain merit award for work, attitude, behaviour and contribution to school life.  Certificates, book tokens and other awards are presented in special assemblies at the end of each term.

Pupils who have shown outstanding achievement are also rewarded at the annual School Prize Afternoon, where cups and shields, as well as External Examination Certificates are presented.