Student Wellbeing

Central to Prince of Peace’s learning philosophy is the creation of a supportive environment that meets the needs of our students.

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College-Wide Pastoral Care

Senior Campus Pastoral Care

 

College-Wide Pastoral Care

We are committed to developing real and purposeful connections with students and powerful partnerships between students, parents and the College, based on the ‘four Rs’ of Relationships, Responsibility, Respect and Restoration.

The daily care and support of our students is central to the role of every member of staff throughout the College. The College is blessed by the work undertaken by its pastoral care teams at both campuses.

When we develop strong connections with each other,
we foster an environment perfect for growth and learning 
(Professor John Hattie, 2003)

In all communities there are times when individuals will experience conflict, disruption and disappointment. Sometimes poor choices are made. The College utilises a philosophy of restorative practices to enable those affected to be heard and as an integral part of the problem-solving process. See how we outline our commitments to honouring relationships in our Relational Development Policy.

I have learned so much about myself at school. To learn is to step back a moment and really just appreciate life as it is. Take something from it and move on. Living another lesson. —Year 6 student

 

All students within the College belong to one of four houses (Bradman, Fraser, Jackson and Laver), which creates connections between students in different classes and year groups.

In addition to a year-round program of interhouse sporting competitions, throughout each term we hold house events or campus activities to build connections.

The four houses compete keenly for a perpetual trophy, with points awarded for achievement, spirit and participation.

 

 


Middle & Senior Campus Pastoral Care

Pastoral care teachers, Year level coordinators, Campus Leadership, the College Chaplain and our College Counsellor all form the pastoral care team on the Middle & Senior Campus.

 

The years of adolescence and demands of middle and senior schooling create a range of challenges for students of this age, and our team is on hand to guide and support students (and their parents). Students are encouraged to develop and grow as individuals and are provided with opportunities to undertake challenges and risks, always with a safety net provided. Programs, including our Christian Studies subjects, our Health curriculum, the Year 9 Ubuntu program and our Pastoral Care program, provide personal growth and learning opportunities.

Pastoral care support provides an important support mechanism for our Middle and Senior Campus students. Our Honouring Relationships principle underpins the high expectation of support and respect for others and their individual differences.

During the last few weeks, I have learnt to collaborate more with larger groups, because I have gotten to know more of my classmates and I can understand their opinions and points of view. — Year 9 student

 

In the Middle School (Y7–9) students are grouped into pastoral care classes within year groups. A student’s pastoral care teacher can also be the student’s subject teacher for one or more subjects, allowing for positive and in-depth relationship building.

For the Senior School (Y10–12) pastoral care classes are formed vertically in house groups, allowing for the development of group relationships and mentoring between students of different year levels.

Each year group is led by a Year Level Coordinator who, together with the pastoral care teachers, form the pastoral care team for that group of students.

At the start of the school year, Year 7 students are partnered with a Year 12 student as part of a ‘buddy’ program, breaking down barriers between younger and older students and ensuring new students have a friendly face to turn to. We also have a buddy program for Years 5 and 10 students, which also helps to build strong relationships between the older and younger students.

For more information regarding our Pastoral Care programs please contact our Director of Wellbeing and Behaviour Support, Ms Melissa Graham, via email or by phone: 3872 5600.