Pastoral staff from schools and clinics in the Middle East came together last weekend for a conference held at Doha College in Qatar in association with the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) and Place2Be.
This inaugural Counselling and Safeguarding conference was attended by over 50 members of staff responsible for student welfare in schools within the BSME network. The conference was led by Place2Be, an organisation based in the UK who provide emotional and therapeutic services in schools. Place2Be are supported by their Royal Patron HRH the Duchess of Cambridge.
The conference was organised by Doha College’s counsellor Kathleen Swords who has had a career working in schools, both as a teacher and a school counsellor. Kathy said: “There is a growing interest in school based counselling in British schools which, together with Safeguarding, fall under the umbrella of Pastoral Care. The conference set out to highlight that the wellbeing of children and young people should remain the principle focus of every school.”
“This is particularly important for expatriate families who are often isolated from extended families and outside resources and therefore struggle to find support in difficult situations. International schools often become the support system families need,” Kathy added
Senior Vice Principal and Head of Secondary at Doha College Teresa Woulfe said: “Judging by the engagement of staff who attended this conference, there is a clear commitment to safeguarding and supporting the children in our care. School should be a place for children to develop and learn within a safe environment, conferences like this demonstrate a sharing of best practice amongst schools in the Middle East.”
David Excell, a Head Trainer at Place2Be who delivered the Key Note speech at the conference said: “It is part of our mission to disseminate ideas, practice, strategies and approaches and Place2Be is pleased to be able to offer support based on twenty years of working in partnership with schools for all professionals who work with the emotional wellbeing of children.”
Doha College have already set in place additional initiatives to support their pastoral care programme. The student mentoring programme was establish last year to promote a proactive response to student well-being on a different level. 6th Form students work alongside younger students to compliment the role of the Form Tutor by engaging them in activities which foster a sense of belonging within the tutor group.
The Peninsula
