Pastoral Care
As a close-knit boarding community, pastoral care is at the core of what we do, and every member of staff shares that responsibility. We look after the girls 24 hours a day, and our pastoral and academic systems work together to ensure that the girls enjoy a healthy balance of work, exercise and rest, as well as opportunities for stimulating the mind, cementing friendships and nourishing the soul.
Wellbeing
The Pastoral Deputy Head has oversight of the school’s pastoral care, supported by the Wellbeing Coordinator, the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the Head of Boarding and a team of Heads of House, and residential staff who live in the boarding areas. We have a strong ‘telling’ culture: the girls know they can talk to anyone about any concern they may have, and they are comfortable doing so. In addition, girls from all year groups sit on the Wellbeing Committee, and can raise wellbeing issues in other forums such as School Council, the Cyber and Tech Committee, the Boarding Committee and the Food Committee. Wellbeing is also covered in a range of ways during Skills for Life lessons.
The House System
Every girl is a member of one of the six Houses from Year 7 to the Lower Sixth. The Head of House lives on site, and oversees all aspects of a girl’s academic, co-curricular and personal development, supported by a team of tutors. The Heads of House are available to the girls throughout the day and evening, and organise our amazing programme of weekend activities. The Head of House is the main point of contact for parents. In the Upper Sixth, the girls move into the Mary Breen Courtyard, which has its own Head of House and residential staff.
The Tutor System
Each House has a team of tutors, who work with the Head of House to support the girls and the House’s activities. Each girl meets with her tutor every morning during the week, and more informally in the evenings and on weekends. The tutor supports each girl in her day-to-day life, and helps her to learn how to manage her work and time. Their guidance helps the girls achieve a good balance of work, exercise, friendships, fun activities, relaxation and sleep. Tutors are assisted by Year Coordinators, who oversee the wellbeing and progress of the year group.
Mentoring & Minding
PSHE : Skills for Life
Skills for Life is our bespoke timetabled programme of talks, seminars, discussions and workshops delivering personal, social, health and economic education. It runs in all year groups, and provides the girls with all the wisdom, skills and advice that they need to help them mature and grow, and to embark on a happy and successful adult life. They learn about staying healthy, and about relationships and friendships. They are taught about the risks associated with substance abuse, and about keeping safe online, as well as how to navigate the emerging world of artificial intelligence. Other sessions might cover the political landscape, personal finance, and moral and ethical issues such as discrimination. Girls are encouraged to look inward, to know themselves better, and to look outward, to understand the world around them and to be prepared for life beyond St Mary’s.
Use of Technology
We understand that it can be challenging for young people to keep their use of technology, artificial intelligence and social media safe and in perspective, and they need our support in this. Girls may bring a mobile phone to school, but they are not permitted to use personal internet-enabled devices until Year 10. The school is a phone-free environment for all year groups during the academic day. In the evenings, use of phones is permitted at designated times as appropriate for each year group. Year 7 and 8 girls have iPads that are set up by the school for educational purposes, though they may also use them to keep in touch with home. All devices are registered on the school’s network. All girls receive regular ICT safety education, and sign up to the school’s ICT Acceptable Use Policy. Access to WiFi is restricted according to age, just as it would be at home. Our in-house e-safety officers educate and support the girls, and keeps in touch with online trends and dangers. Pupils from all year groups sit on the Cyber and Tech Committee, which explores issues related to technology use and safety.
Health Centre
The Health Centre is located within the boarding area of the main school, and is staffed 24 hours a day. The nurses dispense homely remedies, oversee all prescribed medication, and support girls who have longer term health conditions. All girls are registered with the school doctor, who holds surgeries twice a week, and whom the girls can also see in her surgery in nearby Sunningdale. Many girls have weekly sessions in Alexander Technique, which helps them achieve posture and balance, both physically and mentally. Girls can choose to see the School Counsellor, who is available in school at lunchtimes and in the evening, or the Independent Person, who visits the school three times a week. These are wise and sympathetic professionals to whom the girls know they can speak confidentially.
