Starting at a new school is always a bit of a challenge; we’re often pushed out of our comfort zone into an environment with different people and routines, aren’t we? That’s why St. Paul’s School promotes initiatives that help all new pupils integrate effectively, aiming to ensure a smooth and fulfilling academic journey overall.
With a commitment to fostering meaningful connections, the school, together with the St. Paul’s Foundation and the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), implements a range of initiatives designed to strengthen the sense of belonging within the school community. Among these, the Guardian Angel, Older Buddy and Buddy Family programmes stand out.
Guardian Angel: Starting the journey together
Every new pupil arriving at St. Paul’s is welcomed by a Guardian Angel – a fellow scholar in the same year group who has been at the school for longer and is carefully chosen to support them during their first weeks.
This more experienced scholar acts as an informal guide: helping with the school routine, answering questions, assisting with social integration, and offering support throughout the school day from the very beginning of term. The relationship is built on empathy, responsibility and a spirit of collaboration – values that are central to the St. Paul’s community.
This initiative provides new pupils with a warm and welcoming environment that encourages the development of new relationships both in and out of school.
Older Buddy
The Older Buddy initiative involves a slightly older scholar – usually one or two years ahead – offering support to a newly arrived pupil at St. Paul’s. This buddy acts as a more experienced mentor, especially when it comes to academic matters such as study organisation, exam preparation, and understanding subjects that may seem challenging at first.
Unlike the Guardian Angel, who is experiencing much of the same school life in real time, the Older Buddy offers more in-depth guidance, drawing on their experience and academic maturity. This peer-to-peer exchange across year groups strengthens the school’s culture of cooperation and creates bridges between different stages of school life.
These programmes also include structured opportunities for mentors and new pupils to meet. Mrs Michelle Durham, Assistant Head of Pastoral, explains how this has been working: “So far this term, we’ve brought new pupils together with their Guardian Angels and Older Buddies on two occasions. These sessions were held during tutorials, and all the children involved had the opportunity to interact, share tips on how to make the most of the first few weeks, and later reflect on how they’ve been adapting during the first half of the term.”
Buddy Family programme
Beyond pupil-to-pupil support, a more comprehensive integration process must also involve families as a whole. With this in mind, the St. Paul’s Foundation, in partnership with the PTA, created the Buddy Family programme – an initiative that connects new families, whether scholarship holders or not, with volunteer families already established within the school community. Throughout the first academic year, these volunteer families act as a point of reference, offering practical and emotional support to those beginning their journey at the school.
Buddy Families share experiences, answer questions, help with adapting to school routines and traditions, and, most importantly, provide a warm and generous welcome. This support network builds trust, eases the transition into the new school environment, and reinforces the feeling of belonging – not only for pupils but also for their families.
The collaboration between the Foundation, the PTA, and St. Paul’s represents a combined effort that makes it possible for families to adapt positively to their new environment. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to the development and well-being of the school community, resulting in tangible projects that benefit everyone involved.
Bianca Soares, Chair of the PTA, shares her perspective on the importance of these initiatives: “Programmes like the Buddy Family system and Guardian Angel go far beyond simply helping a new family or pupil settle in. By fostering connections, encouraging empathy, and creating a culture of welcome, these initiatives help all families feel more engaged with school life. A stronger, more connected community benefits all of us.”