Pastoral Programme
At St Dunstan’s College Junior School, the pupils are at the heart of every decision we make, and we know that it is only when pupils are happy, settled and feel safe in school that they can thrive and achieve their true potential academically.
Staff
Pastoral care is the responsibility of all members of staff, who take the time to develop trusting, positive relationships with pupils and their families. This is made much easier with our small class setting and high staff to pupil ratio. We pride ourselves on the strength of our community and adopt an ‘open-door’ policy with all parents and pupils across the Junior School. Staff are passionate about supporting children’s wellbeing at St Dunstan’s; a number of staff are trained children’s Mental Health First Aiders. We offer 'Be Kind to Your Mind' drop-in sessions for Prep children during their lunch break for those who would like to speak to staff about a concern or worry that they may have, or simply to have some quiet time away from the playground. Every form group has a Form Teacher, who will teach the majority of lessons to their class, and also lead Form Time sessions every morning and afternoon to ensure pupils are happy, safe and are developing socially within their year group. Form Teachers and families work closely with the Section Heads and the Junior School Deputy Head Pastoral to monitor all pupils and provide care and support throughout a pupil's Junior School journey.
The Wellness Centre
Pupil wellbeing is our number one priority, and we know that pupils can sometimes benefit from additional support and someone to talk to. Our Wellness Centre provides all pupils with the opportunity to speak to somebody they trust, as well as seeking medical or emotional support. Sometimes talking to a trusted adult who sits outside of the classroom or home setting is preferable for a pupil requiring help and this is something we can accommodate through our Wellness Centre services. Staffed by our experienced and caring College Nurse, the College Chaplain and the school counsellors provided by Bromley-Y, pupils or families can refer a child to seek regular or short-term support for any additional pastoral and wellbeing needs.
Albam Exorna
The College motto, Albam Exorna, translates to ‘Adorn the White’. This phrase is connected to the white shield that serves as three quarters of the school’s crest. The white is the blank canvas, onto which will be written the as-yet-unwritten story of each St Dunstan’s pupil; each individual journey through school and life beyond. This is reflective of our appreciation that each pupil has their own unique qualities and attributes, all of which are nurtured and cherished through the Junior School journey.
Our pupils are fully invested in this approach to our pastoral offering and are encouraged to be bold, brave and true to who they are. They relish the diversity within our St Dunstan’s community and take great pride in the fact that their shield is unlike the shield of anyone else within the College.
Their contribution is unique to them and every pupil, regardless of their age and stage in school, can speak with confidence about what sets them apart from their peers and which skills, interests and experiences have stood out within their own individual journey through our school.
College Values
We strive for a school of individuals and all aspects of our pastoral care encourage pupils to have the:
Courage to be who they are
Creativity to develop new ideas and shape their own futures
Confidence to try, succeed and respond positively to failures
Compassion to understand and appreciate others and the wider world
Curiosity to always want to discover more
Stuart Curriculum
Our forward-thinking and ambitious approach to education is designed to equip pupils with the skills and attributes required to thrive as proactive, global citizens in a rapidly-changing world, with resilience, adaptability and critical thinking skills. They are well-prepared to succeed in a future that is still unknown to them, where the careers they pursue may not yet exist. Our pupils understand the value of perseverance and how it can be used as a learning tool, employing a growth mindset to all their learning.
Our Junior School Stuart Curriculum (our approach to PSHEE) helps young children begin the move towards an increasingly sophisticated national, international and intercultural perspective. Through our three units of learning (Relationships, Skills for the Future and Critical Thinking), our pupils are encouraged to see the ‘bigger picture’ by making connections between themes, debating and considering different perspectives. Pupils learn to show compassion towards others and gain a valuable understanding of where they belong in an ever-evolving world. It is incredibly important to us that pupils leave the Junior School with a true sense of who they are, where they sit within our local and wider community and feeling equipped with the relevant practical skills to be their authentic selves now and in the future.