The theme of our inaugural Pastoral Conference was Empowering Pastoral Excellence and it certainly delivered on the promise to inspire and energise all who attended.
Over 200 delegates heard first from Professor Tanya Byron with her thought-provoking talk on how we are “raising children in captivity” and no longer see “free range children”. She encouraged delegates to remind the children in their care that “you don’t have to believe everything you think” and that they should understand failure as an experience not something to fear.
We heard from a fascinating and inspiring array of speakers ranging from engaging with parents in pastoral wellbeing and teaching happiness, to how to spot the signs of substance abuse and why good food matters. Delegates learnt how to better understand unhealthy coping strategies in young people and the importance of helping young people to find their own identity outside of potentially toxic friendship groups as well as how to support bereaved children and help our students make safer choices around drugs and alcohol.
Speakers talked about how to how to build resilience and ensure gender inclusion in schools and delegates left better equipped to maintain their digital wellbeing and take digital micro actions to reduce stress. Thanks to Paul McGee, who closed our Pastoral Conference with his trademark brand of practical, straight-talking advice, we were reminded to have kinder conversations with ourselves and that “self care is not selfish”.
Our thanks go to all the speakers, delegates and organisers and we look forward to the next Pastoral Conference!
