House Coordinators have overall responsibility for a specific House and are responsible for organising pastoral care team meetings. The purpose of these is to:
- Take a shared responsibility for the whole House group
- Monitor student behaviour
- Identify current or expected student needs
- Respond to current school policy emphases.
The House Coordinators will keep the Principal fully informed of the outcome of each meeting as well as involving and consulting other teachers who deal with that particular House group.
The Pastoral Care Advisor (PCA)
The PCA has the most important role in the pastoral and administrative activities of the school.
The PCA, with the support of family members, will endeavour to create an environment where each student is personally known and valued and feels an integral member of a supportive school community. In this important role the PCA will be an Advisor to each student in his/her care and act as the focal person for communication between home and school.
It is expected that the PCA will play a significant role in all areas of development - faith, physical, emotional, academic and social. This key member of staff will link with other members of staff to assist our students to grow and learn.
Career Guidance
Many of the students upon entering College have some idea as to their future vocation or at least some general idea of their future. It may well be that some wish to enter a university or TAFE and do further study, while others prefer to leave school at the end of Year 10.
During their time at the College many of the students will change their plans for the future due to subject difficulty and the inability to master the requirements for their chosen occupation.
One area that may assist them in choosing a career is the work experience programme. This programme is designed to enable students to seek employment of their own for a period of one week. This programme operates for a select group of Year 10 students so that subject choices are more in keeping with the prerequisites for their careers. One important effect of work experience is that many of the students come to the realisation that in order to succeed in the work force, they need more schooling. They come to appreciate that education opens the door to greater opportunities later in life.
Careful selection of subject choices for Years 11 and 12 is very important. It is essential that students make informed decisions based on their ability and levels of achievement when choosing subjects. They may obtain this information from their Heads of Department, subject teachers and the Careers Counsellor.
The College has developed its own procedure to assist students in making a selection of Year 11 subjects. In Year 10 students will participate in a careers programme to assist them to focus on career possibilities and subject selection for the post-compulsory phase of schooling. Students are also afforded the opportunity to complete the Career Voyager Programme which is a comprehensive computer-based careers package aimed at helping students make informed choices about their careers.
The Careers Counsellor is available to parents and students and can provide information on apprenticeships, traineeships and employment opportunities. Students are able to see the Careers Counsellor, Mrs Alach, by making an appointment through the school office. Career opportunities are regularly advised through the College newsletter.
School Counsellor
Generally speaking in a Catholic school, every teacher is a counsellor, and Pastoral Care Advisors especially have a pastoral responsibility in this regard to their students. On occasions students and parents may have a need to contact the College Counsellor. Mr John Holsgrove provides counselling services for students and families who need assistance. Appointments may be made directly with Mr John Holsgrove via the front office or through the House Coordinators or teachers where necessary.
The Peer Support Programme
Peer support and positive peer influence has been introduced into the school community by training volunteer senior students at Year 11 level to act as group leaders for small groups of Year 8 students.
This gives senior students the opportunity for self-development through practical experience of the teaching process. They develop leadership skills and a greater awareness of their own abilities. Younger students are provided with a supportive environment in which to develop their own individuality. The friendships they develop with Year 11s and other Year 8s help them to adapt successfully to high school life.
The senior students are under the guidance of a teacher/supervisor who assists with advice and training. Members of the peer support team also provide a peer mediation programme that is designed to resolve minor disputes and conflicts between students and a homework support programme.
School Camps and Retreats
Camps will be held for Year 8 students early in Term 1. Details of retreats and camps held in Years 9,10,11 and 12 will be advised.