AppPastoral Care
Support for Students
At Coláiste Cholmcille, we are committed to the holistic development and well-being of every student. Our pastoral care system supports students academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring that they feel safe, respected, and empowered to thrive.
The Role of the Tutor
Each student is assigned a Tutor, who provides daily guidance and support. Tutors build strong, trusting relationships with students, monitor attendance and academic progress, and are often the first point of contact for any concerns. They play a vital role in creating a positive and caring classroom atmosphere.
The Role of the Year Head
Year Heads take overall responsibility for the wellbeing, discipline, and development of the students in their year group. They coordinate with Tutors, address behavioral and pastoral issues, support students through key transitions, and work closely with families to ensure a consistent and proactive approach to student welfare.
The Role of the Chaplain
The Chaplain plays a key role in nurturing the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of students and staff. Offering a welcoming and non-judgmental presence, the Chaplain provides pastoral counselling, leads school liturgies and reflection opportunities, and promotes a sense of community rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion.
The Role of the Guidance Staff
Our Guidance Counsellors assist students with personal, educational, and career-related decisions. They provide one-to-one counselling, lead wellbeing and life-skills programmes, and help students develop resilience, self-awareness, and informed plans for the future.
The Role of the Student Support Team
The Student Support Team (SST) is a collaborative group of pastoral, academic, and support staff who meet regularly to identify students who may need additional care. The SST coordinates interventions, tracks progress and works in partnership with parents and outside agencies to ensure every student’s needs are met effectively and compassionately.
The Role of the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL)
The Home School Community Liaison plays a crucial role in building strong relationships between the school, home, and wider community. The HSCL supports parents and guardians in engaging with their child’s education, encourages participation in school life, and helps break down barriers that may impact student attendance, engagement, or learning. By working directly with families, the HSCL fosters a shared approach to supporting student success both inside and outside the classroom.
Together, these dedicated roles form a comprehensive and responsive pastoral care system that places students at the heart of everything we do at Coláiste Cholmcille.
What is Bí Cineálta?
Bí Cineálta (meaning “Be Kind”) is the updated set of national procedures for preventing and addressing bullying behaviour in all primary, post‑primary and special schools in Ireland.
These procedures replace the older 2013 anti‑bullying procedures and became fully effective from 1 September 2025.
Why the Change?
- To respond to what has been learned since 2013, including feedback from students, parents, school staff, and other education partners.
- To make sure the policy includes modern forms of bullying (cyberbullying, gender identity bullying, racist/sexist bullying, sexual harassment) and is more comprehensive.
- To place greater emphasis on a whole‑school and rights‑based approach, where the entire school community (students, staff, parents/carers, Board of Management etc.) works in partnership to prevent bullying.
What This Means for Parents & Families
- As a parent/guardian, you are a key partner. Your insights, observations, and cooperation are essential in both preventing bullying and resolving it when it occurs.
- The school will communicate clearly: what bullying is, the steps it will take when bullying happens, what support is available to students, and how you can raise concerns.
- You should expect to be informed if your child is involved in a bullying incident; also, to be involved in discussions about solutions and follow‑ups.
- There will be visible, student‑friendly versions of the policy in the school, so your child will know where to turn, and what to do.
What the School Will Do
To make sure these procedures work fairly and effectively, the school will:
- Develop its own Bí Cineálta policy in collaboration with students, parents, and staff.
- Publish both formal and student‑friendly policies, including placing them where they are visible to students and parents.
- Train staff so they understand the new procedures and their roles.
- Monitor and record all reported bullying behaviour, investigate, act, and follow up.
- Provide support for students involved, both those experiencing bullying and those whose behaviour may be causing harm.
- Review the policy annually and adapt as needed, based on feedback and experience.
See the Policies section for the Bí Cinealta Policy.