Pastoral Care

Welcome Evenings

Thank you to all families who attended our welcome evenings this year. The evenings provided an excellent opportunity to hear from staff, who provided an overview of Pastoral Care, Learning, and Assessments at Brigidine. It also provided a good forum for families to meet and engage with the Pastoral Care team. 

Support processes 

As highlighted during the presentations, the Pastoral Care teacher is the first point of contact for you at the College and we encourage you to communicate with them regarding matters of absence, uniform, wellbeing or any questions you may have. They will be able to refer you to the most appropriate person to respond to your queries. They are supported by their relevant Pastoral Coordinator and myself. 

For curriculum related matters, please contact your daughter’s classroom teacher first. We always encourage your daughter to have independence and try to address a matter themselves. Class teachers are supported by the Head of Department, Director of Learning and Innovation, Mr Vince Papa, and the Director of Curriculum and Data, Mrs Trish Smith. 

The College also has a school counsellor. Should your daughter wish to see her, a conversation can be had with the Pastoral Care Coordinator, who can make a referral. 

Pastoral Care structure 

We acknowledge the deep connection between wellbeing and success, recognising that a focus on not only academics but also faith, emotional and social wellbeing is important for students to flourish. 

On Mondays and Tuesdays, we have Year Meetings and Pastoral Care in classrooms to highlight important events, national days of significance, and to plan for the week ahead. A focus on diary organisation and planning helps to increase motivation, accountability and reduce stress associated with a busy schedule. 

On Wednesdays, students undertake a wellbeing activity, and fortnightly they complete the PIVOT survey. This survey helps to understand and monitor the wellbeing of our students. 

On Fridays, students complete a gratitude or B.R.A.V.E. reflection in their school diary, fostering positive thoughts about their time at school. Across Years 7-12, students also have a fortnightly Pastoral Care period for 1 hour, focusing on content relevant to their age and cohort. This tailored program is designed to support students holistically in study skills, building resilience and confidence, working towards increasing and strengthening relationships and connection to the school community. 

By deepening awareness of positive psychology, key concepts of wellbeing are explored so that our students are encouraged to live healthy and fulfilling lives, growing strong in faith, expanding their learning and evolving as B.R.A.V.E. young women.

Support at home 

There are many ways families can support their daughters. Some recommendations include:

• Ask your daughter what she learnt and liked today.
• Ask your daughter what was a challenge and what she can do to improve.
• Share your daily blessings and gratefulness with each other.
• Check her school diary to assist with accountability and organisation. Please sign it at the end of each week. 
• Use Canvas to see what activities your daughter is doing and ask questions. 
• Encourage independence and your daughter to see the staff with their questions and guidance. 
• Encouraging prioritising (different areas of her life). 
• Encourage self-care: time away from her studies, and a healthy balance.
• Schedule breaks from technology, particularly phones. We recommend that students should not have a phone in their room overnight and that phone usage is monitored.
• Remind her to pack her bag the night before school to assist with the routine.

Student management: merit and demerit system

Merits 

An important part of our Student Management Policy is the positive acknowledgement of a student's contribution to the College community, acknowledging that every effort should be made to affirm students for their efforts and achievements. Students can receive a Merit Award for consistent and positive application in all areas of College life, recorded on Compass so that parents are aware. Research shows that positive reinforcement encourages students to engage in desired behaviours and motivates them to participate actively in learning activities. When children receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements, they are more likely to be motivated to continue learning and striving for success. 

We have developed a new merit system, acknowledging student effort and associated incremental rewards: 

• 20 merits a PCC award - given at Year Meeting
• 60 merits they get an AP award given at the College assembly
• 120 merits - The Principal's award to be handed out at the Presentation day

Demerits

We also have a behaviour management approach that holds high expectations. Students are taught to understand these expectations and take accountability for their actions. Recognising the need to take responsibility for their actions and learning is important for ongoing growth. 

We first have a conversation with students, offering them the opportunity to reflect and rectify the behaviour. If necessary, consequences relevant to the infringement will be applied. You can read more about this policy on page 13 of the school diary. Three demerits result in a 1 hour after school detention, and this takes precedence over other activities. We ask that you support us in this, as working together in a positive school climate supports learning and wellbeing. 

Other

Enquiries have been made regarding the Duke of Edinburgh program. Please reach out to Sophie Robson, who coordinates this program sophie.robson@syd.catholic.edu.au

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to the College if you have any additional concerns.

Thank you

Sarah Charles 

Director of Pastoral Care