DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

On Thursday all of our students and Homeroom staff participated in a Homeroom based Pastoral Care lesson. For our Year 7 and new students this was possibly quite a new experience whilst for other students it will have been very familiar. Each Homeroom did something different with activities ranging from Birthday Rosters and Welcome Walls to team-building games and physical challenges. I am sure this was an enjoyable experience for students and staff alike and enabled relationships to be strengthened. 

We know that the best environment for student and staff wellbeing is one that is safe, supportive, inclusive, and empowering. Such an environment values diversity, upholds human rights and the common good, fosters positive inter-relationships, promotes student engagement and connectedness, and provides tailored support for those facing difficulties or particular needs. In our school setting, Pastoral Care means deliberately looking out for each other. It's about staff and students coming together to make sure everyone feels good in all aspects of life - personal, social, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It’s also about making sure there are connections for everyone so that if things are not going well, and we all know there are times in everyone’s life when things are not the way we want them to be, there is a sense that we are not alone. Pastoral Care in this way is very closely aligned with wellbeing and again, in our school setting, supporting student wellbeing can improve learning outcomes and a sense of belonging.  

At St Mary MacKillop College we have a dedicated program with the purpose of enhancing the wellbeing of the individual in terms of their personal, social, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental development. Pastoral Care this year is scheduled into the fortnightly timetable so that we can provide dedicated time to something that as a school community we see as being extremely valuable. The program respects the dignity and individuality of each student while promoting community values and responsibilities. It provides opportunities for students to develop relationships with other students and staff to create a sense of safety and belonging within the whole school community. 

There are six outcomes that we aim to achieve through our Pastoral Care program:

1. Development of a significant relationship between students and their Homeroom teachers.
2. Students have a strong sense of identity and are proud to belong to the Homeroom, the House and the College community.
3. Develop positive self-regard, respect for others, positive relationships, responsible behaviors and personal resilience.
4. Development of positive relationships between students across year levels within the Homeroom, House and College.
5. Provide opportunities for students to develop a range of life skills, including leadership and organisational skills, goal setting, teamwork, conflict resolution, problem-solving and communication skills.
6. Positive relationships are established between students and the wider community which reflect the student's understanding of their role in contributing to society.

Pastoral Care is based on respect for the dignity and uniqueness of the individual person who is made in the image of God. It is an individual and community response to Jesus' call to: love one another as I have loved you (John 13.34).