Pastoral Care
“The Pastoral Care Policy of St Patrick's College is based on the necessity of care for others as demonstrated in the life of Jesus”. –Excerpt from the Pastoral Care Policy
Pastoral Care permeates the total climate of relationships within the Catholic School. It has the individual as its focus and reflects the support, the encouragement and the tender care shown and experienced in gospel-based communities. – “Pastoral Care in Catholic Schools” CEO
St Patrick's College provides an environment that integrates the Gospel values of love, faith, honesty, integrity, service and justice with daily living and learning. It provides a structure where teachers and other professionals are responsible for the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of individual students and where strong relationships are established between teachers and students and their families. Furthermore the caring philosophy is reflected through all major sections of the school such as careers advisor, counselling, learning enhancement and an extensive horizontal pastoral care structure incorporating Heads of School and Year levels and the Homeroom teacher. This philosophy is also deeply ingrained in discipline and the curriculum, especially Religious Education.
Pastoral Care Tutors
Each student is assigned to a Home Room within his year level. The Homeroom teachers teach this class for at least one academic subject including Religious Education. In Junior School the Home Room Teacher teaches the class for several subjects thus assisting in the transition from primary to secondary school.
The Home Room Teacher undertakes a role which is primarily a pastoral one where they endeavour to maximise opportunities for the development of students in the Home Room. The pastoral care system is overseen by the Director of Pastoral Care who liaises closely with Homeroom and other teachers to ensure that all students feel supported in all aspects of College life. The Home Room teacher is the first point of contact regarding any concerns about a student and should normally be seen before the Year Coordinator, Head of School or Deputy Headmaster.
Student Welfare
Student Welfare has as its primary function the support of students within the school. The programme is administered by the Director of Pastoral Care and is constantly being reviewed and updated to best meet the needs of students and their families. The student welfare officers are available to students for confidential and personal support when required, and act as a resource for parents, providing information and facilitating contact with community and government agencies. An extensive list of agencies is available to which students may be referred. All new students are interviewed upon arrival and are made aware of the support facilities available.
