SCHOOL OF SANCTUARY
A Place of Safety
St Mary Magdalen's school family is a rich and diverse community. We celebrate and rejoice that our families come from a wide range of different countries and backgrounds; I often think that if the world could reflect our school community, it would be a much happier and peaceful place.
We have been awarded the special title of a "School of Sanctuary", recognising how well our school family welcome and support new families and children who join our school community.
Please make an appointment to come and look around our school; see for yourself how lovely it is; we welcome visitors and new members to our community.
ST MARY MAGDALEN’S WELCOME CHARTER
A sanctuary is a place of welcome where everyone feels safe.
St Mary Magdalen’s is a School of Sanctuary.
When new families join our school, there are lots of things we can do to make them feel welcome.
CHILDREN FROM RECEPTION TO YEAR 6 HAVE COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS...
Children can...
Be welcoming
Show where important areas are for example the toilets or the hall
Say please and thank you
Make friends even if they don’t have the same skills or interests as you
Explain our school motto
Translate if you can speak another language
Play and share toys, games and equipment
Explain about our key skills wheel and stickers
Help people if they are hurt or feeling sad
Ask about where other children have come from and how it might be different
Teachers can...
Help children with their work
Teach English and help them to understand
Show children around
Encourage children to be friends by giving them jobs to do together
Give children pictures and symbols to help
Give children a welcome pack
Make sure children can talk to them about any problems so every child feels safe and happy
Allow children time to go and speak to Mrs Nunes about their life
Parents Can...
Make conversation with new parents and chat
Introduce themselves and their children
Talk to new children in the playground about school
Invite other parents for a coffee or a cup of tea
Invite other parents and children to dinner at their house to show their favourite food
Offer to bring children to school or offer to pick them