WELLBEING & PASTORAL CARE

Health and Wellbeing is a huge focus at Shebbear College and in such a strange and uncertain year, this was more important than ever.

The pastoral team felt that it was important to offer drop-in services so that pupils were given the opportunity to talk about the issues that they were facing during lockdown. These drop-ins were extremely successful and allowed individuals and groups to seek help and guidance when they most needed it. We also worked closely with families and offered home visits when necessary, offering another layer of care. The tutors were available and checked in with their tutees twice a day so that they felt supported.

Our pastoral system has been reshaped with the introduction of House Masters and Mistresses (HsMs) who have all written House reports for this magazine. The HsMs’ ambition is to promote and create a community atmosphere within each House, encouraging all their pupils to be their best and contribute to a strong House ethos.

The tutors are working more closely with the pupils and parents and the HsMs have a fantastic oversight of all the pupils in their House with regards to their academic and pastoral needs. We have continued to offer individual care, depending on the child and what they need, encouraging confidence in every pupil to be the best they can.

The new Health & Wellbeing Centre (HAWC) incorporates both the medical and health needs of the pupils as well as offering pastoral support and wellbeing advice. HAWC is overseen by Miss Woods, the Senior Matron, and her team strive to meet the needs of all pupils from Reception through to Upper Sixth. The Assistant Matron, Miss Taylor, is also the Wellbeing Coordinator and has been working hard on moving this important area further forward. HAWC also has a Day Matron, Miss Hawkins, to ensure that there is care throughout the day. Pupils have used their creativity in helping produce artwork that is displayed on the walls to provide a welcoming atmosphere.

We are thrilled to be joined by Miss Jenkinson (School of Sexual Education) one day a week as she is a great asset to the team, offering specialist Relationship advice through PSHE lessons and drop in sessions, focusing on the importance of kindness and courtesy towards one another.

HAWC is a space where pupils can come for support and advice in many areas. We keep the Shebbear values at the heart of all that we do and all pupils are encouraged and supported to approach their daily lives with courage and resilience and have a curiosity to learn more about themselves and what they can offer to our school community.

Mrs Lovett Deputy Head (Pastoral)