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Pastoral Care in S3

Pastoral Assemblies in S3

The aim of recent year group assemblies has been to encourage pupils to think beyond their own concerns and consider issues affecting society and the wider world.

In December 2009, six pupils (Andrew Stewart, Haris Haseeb, Rebecca Agliolo, Rebekah Lindsay, Lena McCrae and Rawand Husami) were selected to go on the 'Your Turn' citizenship programme. This involved visits to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Police Headquarters and the Castlemilk Youth Complex. During these visits the group gathered information on how CCTV is used and questioned police officers about ways of keeping the streets safe. This material was then used to prepare for a structured debate on social issues affecting young people today, such as youth curfews. 

The pupils who took part addressed the rest of the year group at a pastoral assembly in January. "It was a fantastic experience," they said. "It helped to give us confidence, leadership skills and the knowledge of how to make a difference."

"Shining the Spotlight on Global Issues" has been another theme considered at assemblies and in form time. A Group of S4 pupils gave a presentation to the S3 year group on Fairtrade, focusing on something pupils are all interested in - chocolate!

One billion kg of chocolate is consumed worldwide each year, but only 7% of the profits go to the producers. Cadbury's has now become a Fairtrade company, leading to improvements in health and education for the children of the farmers who produce cocoa.

Working in co-operation with the Geography department, the Year Tutor team and form teachers explored further aspects of global citizenship, focusing on the themes of trade, debt, gender and aid.  Pupils were given source materials on these topics and had to make a one-minute presentation to the class. Some then delivered their talks to the whole year group at a pastoral assembly. 

Taking part in this exercise not only left pupils better informed about world issues, but helped develop their communication skills.

The Philosophy teacher at Hutchesons', Ms Wildman, will also introduce the topic of Morality, which will be followed up in Form class discussions.