Pastoral Care
A strong emphasis is placed on pastoral care within the College. The Home Group or Classroom teacher provides the first level of care. Year level Co-ordinators offer students additional support.
In addition, there are Student Wellbeing Coordinators at both campuses and a dedicated School Chaplain.
Wellbeing Services
As a Christian school, the wellbeing of our students is of utmost importance. Jesus said that others would know we are his disciples because of the love that we have for one another (John 13:35). In addition to this there is a great deal of research which points to the fact that students who are struggling with their own wellbeing find it difficult to learn and to thrive at school. If for no other reason, this places a great deal of importance on the pastoral care and emotional wellbeing of students.
The role of the Student Wellbeing Coordinators includes:
- Social and emotional counselling to help students work through their concerns and challenges.
- Assisting the principal and other staff in matters of sensitive communication with parents, students and staff to ensure effective and timely communication whilst taking into account the many issues faced in the school environment
- Working in support of students by developing relationships with them, often through lunch-time clubs or attending extra-curricular activities
- Providing pastoral care of students including mentoring, coaching, referrals, family conferences, and providing a link between the College, churches, community organisations, and professional agencies
- Liaising with teachers on behalf of students
- Being resourced with an extensive catalogue of health professional services for referral of families and students
- Organising termly Positive Parenting initiatives
The role of the Student Chaplain includes:
- Oversight and management of weekly Chapel services
- Conducting lunch time activities for students
- Facilitating parent, student and staff prayer meetings
- Providing opportunities for students to develop and explore their faith
- Actively seeking opportunities to connect informally with students during lunch times, camps, excursions, sporting or coaching programs, offering a non judgemental ‘ear’
Students and parents are invited to contact the Student Wellbeing Coordinators to make an appointment.
The Wellbeing staff maintain an up to date register of professional counsellors and psychological services available within the community and will provide assistance with referrals for students and their parents to these services, as appropriate.
