Pastoral Care

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.”  John :14

Children will not care how much they know until they know how much you care.

The religious and spiritual dimensions of the College are supported by an attention to the pastoral care of all who form the community. It is respectful of the dignity of every person. Pastoral concern for all, especially the disadvantaged, is delivered through the College’s structure and student management practices.

‘Our aim is to assist the formation of our students to become young men and women of competence, conscience and compassion with an attitude of excellence and service’

 

JUNIOR SCHOOL PASTORAL CARE - YEARS P-6

In the Junior school, we have a strong focus on personal needs of security, safety, physical and emotional health - all of which are prerequisites for a successful education. The wellbeing of our students, along with the provision of a Catholic education, underpins all that we do at the College.

The first point of call in the Junior school for pastoral care is the student’s class teacher. Supporting these class teachers are subject specialists, a Learning Support Coordinator, School Counsellors, Assistant Principals and the Head of Junior School. The Junior school also engages the support of visiting occupational therapists and speech pathologists. At all times, we seek to provide resources and direction for students and families to help them to deal with issues or problems which may arise in their child’s life.

 

VERTICAL PASTORAL CARE - YEARS 7-12

Catholic schools have a long tradition of pastoral care and at Xavier we consider pastoral care to be of the utmost importance.

At Xavier we provide a vertical pastoral care system for Years 7-12. Our vertical pastoral care structure enables the grouping of younger and older students together in a long-term relationship with their PC teacher. Each Pastoral Care group is House-based and consists of approximately 18-22 students, with 3 or 4 students being drawn from each of the six year levels.

Vertical pastoral care encourages the development of genuine and effective relationships between each student and his/her Pastoral Care teacher. Having daily contact with the student over a seven year period, the Pastoral Care teacher is in an ideal position to get to know them and their parents/guardians very well, and also to share in their growth, maturity, and general development over this period of time.

 

Some of the many benefits of our vertical pastoral care system include:

  -  Helping to build a greater sense of community with increased interaction between year levels

  -  Providing additional opportunities for students to lead, particularly in the older age groups

  -  Providing peer mentoring and support

  -  Ensuring that every student in the College is known and has at least one significant adult to relate to or talk with

  -  Establishing, and instilling, a strong sense of belonging

  -  Providing parents/carers with a familiar point of contact at the College

  -  Allowing students to observe the school journey through other students before it is their turn

  -  Increased college and house spirit

 

Our students genuinely care for and about each other and truly bond as part of the Xavier family. The additional support experienced through the College’s house system, which groups students from Prep to Year 12 in one of four houses, fosters a sense of belonging and enhances student centred support.