Pastoral Care

The St George's Way: A Week of Celebration and Transition

On countless occasions, we have heard the phrase "The St George's Way" echoing through the hallways of our beloved school. It is mentioned in staff meetings and woven into the speeches of our dedicated students. While it might not be something you can see, it is undeniably something you can feel. 

This unique spirit is the lifeblood of our treasured School Community, and it could not have been more palpable than during the first half of this week when we celebrated the outgoing Class of 2023 and welcomed the incoming leaders of the Class of 2024.

Monday: Passing the Torch of Leadership

MONDAY was a day filled with excitement as we eagerly awaited the announcement of our incoming leadership group. Our current student leaders took their seats in front of the entire school, with an empty chair beside them symbolising the handover of leadership. 

The message conveyed to the incoming leaders was profound yet straightforward: "Please understand you are a caretaker of your elected position. Leave it in a better state than when you received it. You are not only a representative of your School and House but also a representative of every person who has held that position before you."

The beginning of a new tradition of the ringing of a bell to signify the ending of one group of leaders and the beginning of the next was a symbol of the Handover Assembly. 

The jubilation from the school community with each name called was heart-warming.

 As each student walked up to collect their badge from the current leader, you could feel the unwavering support of the entire school.

I would like to add my congratulations to all those stepping into leadership roles and of course to the outgoing leaders who have been a wonderful team to work with. 

Tuesday: Wannabe Day and Celebrating Year 12s

TUESDAY was a day that shifted our attention to the Year 12 students. It was their ‘Wannabe Day’, where they dressed up as their envisioned future careers. 

The halls were filled with students donning the attire of tradies, doctors, engineers, footy players, cricket stars, and lawyers, among others. 

The day continued with a trip to tenpin bowling at Rosemount Bowl, and it concluded at Kings Park with a delightful sausage sizzle, complemented by a gelato ice cream van. 

Laughter, photographs, and reminiscing with Heads of House filled the day as students reflected on the numerous activities they had been involved in during their time at St George's.

Wednesday: A Day of Farewells and Reflections

WEDNESDAY marked the transition from counting down years and months to counting the final hours of their time at St George’s for our Year 12 students. 

The morning began on Level Four with the Year 12 Breakfast, where staff members who had shared this incredible journey with the students joined them at their tables. 

We enjoyed the tradition of "It would not be Year 12 if…" moments for each student to ponder and reflect. We enjoyed heartfelt farewell speeches by the House Captains, and each Year 12 student received a special card from their Pastoral Care Group, offering them best wishes for the next chapter of their lives. Tears flowed as the reality of parting ways set in.

Following breakfast, our Year 12 students embarked on the Year 12 Pilgrimage through the school – The Stations of the School led by Father Gift. Each level featured a student from a different year group reflecting on their time with the Year 12 class, accompanied by members of the pastoral care team sharing their memories of their time with this remarkable group. Heads of House delivered touching reflections that underscored the strong bonds between staff and students that we always celebrate here. 

The day culminated with the Year 12 Final Assembly; an event thoughtfully planned by the outgoing student leaders. This assembly featured the Final School Captain's address, Year 12 musical performances, a reflection by Ms Hewitt, who was elected by the Year 12 Cohort to deliver an address and, to conclude, the Year 12 Final Video.

Throughout these activities, one thing became abundantly clear: the deep connection between our students and the unwavering commitment of our staff. 

The entire week was marked by heartfelt moments, demonstrating the strong ties between our students across multiple year groups and the investment our staff have in each and every student's journey.

As we move forward into the remainder of the school year, let us all continue to embrace "The St George's Way" and celebrate the growth, achievement, and enduring spirit of our school community.

Mr Hilton Hardman

Head of Pastoral Care