Wellbeing at Malvern St James

Wellbeing at MSJ

Pastoral Care

The pastoral team at Malvern St James is run by our Director of Pastoral Care who works closely with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead, to ensure that every girl is able to access mentoring and emotional support which help her to build life skills in managing relationships, harnessing resilience and self-care.

From the first meeting, our focus is on the interests of each girl and how they feel about coming to a new school. It’s so important to spend time getting to know every new girl, understanding what drives her and, of course, her concerns. School tours are given by pupils, who are always keen to volunteer. It’s a great opportunity for the girls to chat about the school with her peers. The family meet key teaching and pastoral care staff and spend time with our Head. We offer taster days for new girls and will often put the family in touch with families of girls already here.

Malvern St James is a very friendly and inclusive school. With less than 500 pupils the school has a lovely family feel.

Girls enjoy friendships across the age-groups. They are incredibly supportive of each other and go out of their way to make newcomers feel welcome.

Malvern St James Girls' School has been awarded a Gold Standard accreditation by the Carnegie Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing for the outstanding pastoral provision provided by the School. This prestigious award reflects the School’s commitment to support the wellbeing of every member of the community. To find out more read the full article "MSJ scoops pioneering mental health award".

We continually review our systems of support to help girls feel at home and settled. Our teaching and house staff are open and friendly; encouraging email contact and conversations with parents that help provide three-way support for every girl in their care.

We manage transitions through the key stages and boarding houses. This helps girls to adapt to changes as they progress through the school. There’s always lots to look forward to as the girls progress and take on more responsibility as they mature.

Safeguarding

At Malvern St James, we take our responsibility to safeguard your child seriously. The Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Zinnia Wilkinson, Deputy Head Pastoral, can be reached on wilkiz@malvernstjames.co.uk if you have a concern about the safety of one of our pupils. The MSJ Safeguarding Policy can be found on this website on our Policies page, located through our Parent Resources page. Our school Safeguarding Team work with Worcestershire Children's Services, Operation Encompass and other appropriate agencies to ensure that pupils are protected. 

MSJ Buzz

MSJ Buzz is the umbrella under which all of our pastoral incentives lie. As well as Twitter and Instagram accounts, the hub of our Buzz provision is The Hive. This wellbeing space offers our young people the opportunity to talk, think, reflect and discover in comfort and with a range of applicable reading material and resources. Pupils have the opportunity to work with members of the pastoral team, the Welfare Support Officer or the School Counsellor to receive targeted and appropriate support. In addition, this relaxing space provides somewhere to relax, reflect and recoup, when needed.

Health

Our Health and Wellbeing Centre provides round the clock nursing care for girls who need it at Malvern St James, as well as offering first aid, emotional support and an advice service. The School Doctor holds surgeries each morning and a School Counsellor is in several times a week; both working closely with the Director of Pastoral Care and nurses to assist pupils dealing with specific medical or pastoral issues.

Nutrition

Our fabulous dining facilities host daily meals for Boarders, Day Girls and Staff who eat together at breakfast, lunch and supper. Our chefs use high quality produce, locally sourced wherever possible, and recipes from around the world. The catering staff at Malvern St James take great pride in the quality of our meals and their consumption offers opportunity for integrated, nourishing, social occasions on a daily basis. Specific dietary needs are incorporated seamlessly, allowing those with allergies or bespoke diets to eat comfortably alongside their peers without emphasis on their requirements.

Malvern St James Girls' School holds the Gold award for the Healthier Choices Scheme. The gold level standard acknowledges the commitment to offering freshly prepared food which includes a range of fruit and vegetables, providing healthier options within the menu and achieving excellent food hygiene and safety standards, including the food allergen requirements.

 

Spirituality

A thriving, multicultural, multi-faith community, Malvern St James makes opportunities to gather based around Christian values, alongside an ethos of mutual respect and acceptance for the beliefs of every member of the community. Assemblies are led by the School Chaplain, teaching and house staff, girls and visiting speakers and provide occasion for the School to gather and share in learning, reflection and contemplation. The Chapel and Muslim Prayer Room are available to girls for private prayer or collective worship.

Keep in Touch

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