Nominate your school for Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Awards

The Department of Education, in partnership with the Public Health Agency, is seeking examples of outstanding pastoral care in schools.

Exceptional pastoral care is not about the everyday support offered by schools. It is about a level of care and support that is over and above what is expected and what is offered to pupils by teachers or the school community.

The Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Award provides recognition to school communities that have demonstrated exceptional co-operative effort in supporting the pastoral care of pupils and their families. Schools that go above and beyond to make a real difference to their pupils lives.

The winners of last year’s awards commented on their success:

Emma Corry, former Principal of Shaftesbury Nursery School: "Working with and supporting children and their families is of paramount importance to our school. We are absolutely delighted to have our hard work and dedication recognised by receiving this award."

Julian Byers, Principal of Dundonald Primary School: “To win an award such as The Derrytrasna Award for exceptional pastoral care was very humbling and greatly appreciated. As a school it was a great honour to be recognised for what comes naturally as part of our day to day work. Underpinning our pastoral care in Dundonald Primary School and Nursery unit is ensuring the emotional wellbeing of our pupils is paramount as we value the critical role it plays in ensuring a child reaches their full academic potential.”

Winston Glass, Principal of Enniskillen Model Primary School: “Enniskillen Model Primary School was delighted to be the joint recipients of last year’s Derrytrasna Award. It was an honour to receive such prestigious recognition, celebrating the pastoral care that operates in the school. The staff directly involved were humbled by the nomination, recognition and experience – they also thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Stormont in April to receive the award. This school would like to wish the new recipients in 2018 all the very best.”

Isabel Russell, Principal of Holy Trinity College: “It was a great honour for Holy Trinity College to achieve The Derrytrasna Award, as it recognised the great work within our Nurture Provision, and the lengths which staff go to in order to address the varying needs of the pupils in our care.  It is gratifying to know that we have been acknowledged for helping pupils overcome many barriers to learning, be they social, emotional and/or behavioural, and that we are helping pupils to build their resilience against the difficulties which many face on a regular basis.”

Applications should be made by no later than 15 December 2017 using the form available on the DE website.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Award is named after St Mary’s Primary School in Derrytrasna, the school whose exceptional pastoral care for a terminally ill pupil inspired the award.
2. This joint DE/PHA award is to recognise schools that have demonstrated exceptional co-operative effort in support of a pupil.
3. Shaftesbury Nursery School, Enniskillen Model & Dundonald Primary Schools and Holy Trinity College were the 2016/17 winners of the award.
4. The application period will be open from 6 November to 15 December 2017.
5. Follow us on Twitter @Education_NI
6. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 0762 397 4383 and your call will be returned.

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