“I am the good shepherd; I
know my own and my own know me.” John
:14
Children will not care how
much they know until they know how much you care.
The religious and
spiritual dimensions of the College are supported by an attention to the
pastoral care of all who form the community. It is respectful of the dignity of
every person. Pastoral concern for all, especially the disadvantaged, is
delivered through the College’s structure and student management practices.
‘Our aim is to assist the
formation of our students to become young men and women of competence,
conscience and compassion with an attitude of excellence and service’
JUNIOR SCHOOL PASTORAL
CARE - YEARS P-6
In the Junior school, we
have a strong focus on personal needs of security, safety, physical and
emotional health - all of which are prerequisites for a successful education.
The wellbeing of our students, along with the provision of a Catholic
education, underpins all that we do at the College.
The first point of call in
the Junior school for pastoral care is the student’s class teacher. Supporting
these class teachers are subject specialists, a Learning Support Coordinator,
School Counsellors, Assistant Principals and the Head of Junior School. The
Junior school also engages the support of visiting occupational therapists and
speech pathologists. At all times, we seek to provide resources and direction
for students and families to help them to deal with issues or problems which
may arise in their child’s life.
VERTICAL PASTORAL CARE -
YEARS 7-12
Catholic schools have a
long tradition of pastoral care and at Xavier we consider pastoral care to be
of the utmost importance.
At Xavier we provide a
vertical pastoral care system for Years 7-12. Our vertical pastoral care
structure enables the grouping of younger and older students together in a
long-term relationship with their PC teacher. Each Pastoral Care group is
House-based and consists of approximately 18-22 students, with 3 or 4 students
being drawn from each of the six year levels.
Vertical pastoral care
encourages the development of genuine and effective relationships between each
student and his/her Pastoral Care teacher. Having daily contact with the
student over a seven year period, the Pastoral Care teacher is in an ideal
position to get to know them and their parents/guardians very well, and also to
share in their growth, maturity, and general development over this period of
time.
Some of the many benefits
of our vertical pastoral care system include:
- Helping
to build a greater sense of community with increased interaction between year levels
- Providing
additional opportunities for students to lead, particularly in the older age groups
- Providing
peer mentoring and support
- Ensuring
that every student in the College is known and has at least one significant adult to relate to or talk
with
- Establishing,
and instilling, a strong sense of belonging
- Providing
parents/carers with a familiar point of contact at the College
- Allowing
students to observe the school journey through other students before it is their turn
- Increased
college and house spirit
Our students genuinely
care for and about each other and truly bond as part of the Xavier family. The
additional support experienced through the College’s house system, which groups
students from Prep to Year 12 in one of four houses, fosters a sense of
belonging and enhances student centred support.