Pastoral Care
We are an inclusive and respectful community where each individual is known, valued and cared for, enabling them to feel confident to explore their curiosities, flourish and fully realise their potential.
Our Pastoral Care program is a carefully prepared yearlong program aimed at supporting student’s personal growth, engaging in a variety of activities to assist with their development and support them to reach their academic, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical potential.
Pastoral Care is structured in year level groups. Each class has a Pastoral Teacher responsible for the wellbeing of each student on a day-to-day basis In addition, each year level has a Director and an Assistant Year Level Director responsible for the overall coordination of pastoral care and wellbeing.
St Michael’s College provides an extensive range of specialist programs and guest speakers across a range of wellbeing topics. Our full pastoral program, extensive guest speaker program, and our college leadership opportunities document can be viewed below.
As one College we develop and support student wellbeing by:
- Promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in learning programs and support services
- Providing a school environment that is safe, supportive, inclusive, and empowering for all
- Respecting and celebrating diversity and inclusivity, with a focus on understanding human rights and supporting the common good
- Modelling and developing respectful relationships between staff members, students and families
- Providing a supportive environment where those having trouble or special needs receive particular care and support
- Providing opportunities where people experience connectedness and engagement including religious and spiritual formation and renewal initiatives for staff, students and families
- Social-emotional learning programs
- Mental health initiatives
- Healthy living programs and social events
- Student-led outreach initiatives and events
- Community building initiatives and community service projects
- Student leadership groups
- Social action groups and enterprise initiatives
- Friendship, wellbeing and mentoring support including counselling
- Mentoring and restorative practices
More specifically, through Pastoral Care we:
- Provide an environment in which every student is valued, feels safe and has someone with whom they can talk.
- Respect the dignity of each person.
- Develop a spirit of community through positive relationships between staff, students and parents.
- Develop self-discipline and personal responsibility.
- Provide opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection.
- Educate students in a Christ centered model of leadership.
- Encourage participation in social justice initiatives.
- Provide activities and strategies that develop students’ personal, organisational and lifestyle skills and choices.
- Provide guidance in subject selection, vocational and career options.
- Foster participation in community building and recreational activities.
- Encourage students to build on their strengths and celebrate achievement.
Principles considered:
- Respectful relationships that support each student.
- Students deserve the fundamental right to safety and protection.
- Families and schools work in partnership with one another and outside agencies.
- The care and wellbeing of students has to be honest, respectful and trusting between the adults and students.
Key Pastoral Themes
Junior Secondary
The transition from primary school to junior secondary focus areas: friendships, relationships, Lasallian community, wellbeing, and digital citizenship.
Qualities of an independent learner, building awareness of community and their place within it, development of digital citizenship, and the growth of a future mindset.
Holistic development of students through a Positive Education approach. Wellbeing and personal development, mindfulness, strengths-based learning, growth mindset and gratitude. These foci underpin and support programs addressing goal setting, social justice, body image, drug and alcohol education, cyber safety and positive relationships.
Senior Secondary
Career aspirations, PLP, career voyager, pathways, study habits, Lasallian Youth Leadership, social justice and community, wellbeing and thinking about self and others.
Leadership, Lasallian Youth Leadership, wellbeing, stewardship, College Leaders and House Captain formation, online safety, road/driver education, intelligent decision making and Pastoral reflection.
Retreat, community, Seminar Days, study habits, leadership and stewardship model, mentoring and transition towards success outside school as good citizens and leaders in society.
