I’ve worked here at St.Michael’s since January 2009 after moving from a school in Rayleigh where I worked for four years. Prior to working in schools, before my children were born, I worked in Personnel and Management (children are much more interesting!)
My job title here is ‘Pastoral Care Manager’ and in a nutshell that means working alongside the teachers and the SENCo to support them with any emotional or practical barriers that are preventing a child’s learning. This could be anything from enabling a family access to a foodbank, through signposting parents and carers to organisations that can support them with their families, to referring children and families to external agencies such as Kids Inspire or the YMCA and all things in between.
If you are worried about your child then the first point of call should be the class teacher, however, there are times where you need to speak to someone ‘now’. I work full time and can be contacted in school by calling 01245 472682 and choosing option 2. If I don’t answer, you can leave a voicemail with your name and number and I will call you back as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can come into the school reception and I may be free to see you immediately.
It’s impossible to list all the things I can help you or your child with, so please feel free to contact me to talk anything through. Be assured, if I can’t help directly– I will know someone who can. Also, please familiarise yourself with our ‘Wellbeing and Safety’ section on the school’s website. Here you will find information about safeguarding, mental health, emotional wellbeing and online safety
Mrs Catherine Cullen