Pastoral Care

The Catholic nature of Sacred Heart emphasises the nurturing of a family spirit, which is experienced in the welcoming, inclusive and supportive school community. This family and community spirit is a defining characteristic of Sacred Heart. Pastoral care permeates all aspects of life at Sacred Heart. All members of the school community accept they have a responsibility to ensure others feel safe, valued and happy. It is an important responsibility, and one that is taken very seriously by children, staff and clergy alike. We are truly a family, and we care for one another as such.

Pastoral care at Sacred Heart focuses on the development and well-being of the whole person. Important and effective support structures and networks are in place to assist all children.

Points of Contact:

Teachers and all support staff seek to maintain close and supportive relationships with children under their care and with their parents. All staff at Sacred Heart make personal connections with children to ensure each child is being cared for and has available to him a confident point of contact.  The principal and leadership team at Sacred Heart take an active interest in child wellbeing and there are protocols and processes in place to ensure that support for individual children is directed promptly when needed.

Peer Support:

A peer support program operates in Term 3 for all children from Kindergarten through to Year 6. The program is led by the Years 5 and 6 students who are all trained as Peer Support leaders by their teachers. During Term 3 the whole school meets once per week in Peer Support Teams, comprising one child forom each year level. The program focuses on themes to develop social competencies and build resilience and sessions usually include input from the Years 5 and 6 leaders, followed by activities and role plays to reinforce the message. Strong bonds are formed through the Peer Support program, and the Years 5 and 6 children develop leadership skills as they mentor and guide their younger buddies.

Friendly Schools and Families:

The Friendly Schools and Families program operates throughout the school during Term 2 and has a strong focus on supporting the children to develop a strong stance towards treating each other with dignity and respect, fostering resilience and an understanding and awareness of bullying behaviour and what can be done to address it. The program has a strong anti-bullying message. Click here to read the Sacred Heart Anti-Bullying Policy. Find out more about the excellent resources available to teachers, students and parents by visiting our our Anti-Bullying page here.

Relationships:

All relationships at the Sacred Heart are based on mutual respect and honest, open communication. All individuals are accepted for who they are and are celebrated for the gifts, talents and abilities they share with the school community.

Celebrations and Awards:

Celebrations are an important part of the pastoral life of the college. Regular Masses and liturgies are an opportunity to celebrate faith and spirituality, while other events are held to mark special occasions and successes (e.g. Green Slip Morning Teas for younger students, Weekly Wednesday and Friday Assembly Awards, End of Year Celebration of Learning Awards).

Behaviour Management:

The management of children’s behaviour forms part of effective pastoral care at Sacred Heart. It encourages children to learn from their mistakes, be aware of the consequences of their actions and consider the needs and rights of others. The school takes a firm, but fair stance on behaviour management, working in close partnership with families. Children are encouraged to exercise self-discipline, respect and courtesy, and take pride in themselves, their work and their school.