Pastoral Care Policy
Pastoral Care permeates every aspect of College life. This is demonstrated by attitudes, values and beliefs that are held by all members of the school community and manifested both inside and outside the classroom. It concerns the whole school community and involves the total development of the individual child. It is based on the following beliefs:
- That every student has a unique dignity that should be enhanced and encouraged.
- That the total development of the individual student spiritually, morally, emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially is nurtured.
- That the establishment of a caring empathetic community based on mutual respect is the responsibility of all members of the school community.
- That this caring personcentred ethos should be reflected in all facets of the College curriculum: discipline, enrolment, assessment and reporting.
- That the value of the individual, irrespective of ability, status, position or cultural background is of primary importance at all times.
- A commitment to and practice of Pastoral Care is integral to the development of an ethos of CARE in the College. Pastoral Care is required to promote the personal growth and to address the individual needs, of all students. Pastoral Care is essential to fulfilling the goals of the College.
Aims of Pastoral Care
- To act consistently
- To develop each student’s growth as a person
- To foster a sense and practice of community
- To respond to the developmental needs of each student
- To model a lived response to the message of Scripture
- To enable students to become selfactualising persons
- To develop quality relationships
- To establish an effective care network
Key Principles of Pastoral Care
Everyone in the College is involved in Pastoral Care. All should be compassionately involved in the care of the whole College community.
Pastoral Care is integral to the art of teaching. One cannot envisage authentic teaching without involvement with the students as people.
Pastoral Care embraces the network of relationships between administrators, students, staff, parents and the wider community.
The personal growth of each member of the College community is an integral part of Pastoral Care.
Pastoral Care is explicit and implicit in its expressions. Implicit care happens through the whole enterprise of the College. Explicit Pastoral Care is planned and programmed.
Pastoral Care is a positive expression of the love, kindness and celebration of living.
The special Pastoral Care needs of all members of the College community are recognised and their right to privacy is affirmed.
There should be a diversity of approaches to Pastoral Care but consistency through out.
The College community strives to be a witness and example to Pastoral Care.
Pastoral Care is the lived experience of people in relationships, which are conducive to growth and freedom.
Key Principles of Pastoral Care (Students)
Pastoral Care is a discerned response to student life needs such as:
- self esteem, self discipline, self actualisation
- developing social relationships, effective communication
- Career guidance, vocational awareness
- affirmation and challenges, a supporting environment
- religious meaning, spirituality
- knowledge and skills, scholastic progress
- Christian values, personal development
- counselling
- participation, decision making
- development of a positive and active sense of community
Operating Principles of Pastoral Care
All teaching staff will either take a homeroom, or be assigned as a reserve/support person.
Outcomes
As a result of the Pastoral Care program student will KNOW:
- their individual worth
- the many avenues of care in the College and general community
- they belong at St Joseph’s Catholic College
- they are in a secure environment
- significant others are concerned about their welfare
- they are accepted and unique individuals
- their strengths and weaknesses
- appropriate behaviours
- their rights and responsibilities
- As a result of the Pastoral Care programme students will BE ABLE TO:
- communicate effectively
- approach and solve problems
- recognise the College procedures for obtaining assistance
- develop peer relationships
- cope with the many facets of College life
- deal effectively with conflict and problems
- recognise the appropriate person to give a confidence to
- relate effectively in a variety of situations
- develop leadership skills
- As a result of the Pastoral Care programme students will BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF:
- spirituality
- prayer
- physical, emotional and social development
- their potential
- individuality
- physical well being
- service
- Catholic Education
- sexual identity