Pastoral Care
As a Catholic college we have a deeper responsibility to provide for the development of the whole person.
Sitting alongside our proud Catholic mission and identity, pastoral care is at the centre of what we do at MacKillop. Pastoral care at MacKillop is about knowing our students well and helping them to flourish emotionally, physically, spiritually and academically. Pastoral care is about every student and their well-being.
Wellbeing is described as a state of being well in body, mind and spirit. MacKillop has a particular response to well-being, guided by faith and the words of Jesus, who said “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full”. Being sustainably positive in mood, in attitude, in resilience, in belonging and in satisfaction is when life can be fully engaged with is when all can flourish.
Flourishing takes place when young people know they are known and acknowledged by their community. When they realise they are part of a supportive and safe community, they tend to ‘opt in’. They increase their involvement levels with each other, with their teachers, with their sports, creative and extra-curricular activities, and with their wider school community. In opting in, connections become stronger and respectful relationships emerge, achievements are celebrated and community ties are tightly forged.
So how do we ensure that this happens at MacKillop? Great relationships are fostered between our students and their Pastoral Care Teachers, who are the first point of contact for both parents and students. Our House Leaders are also an important presence in our student’s lives. Each student remains with their house group for the six years they are entrusted to our care. We believe this pastoral structure provides the best possible means through which each student can be truly known, acknowledged and cared for during their time with us.
Our Wellbeing Team comprises also of specialised staff to support our students. Our Director of Pastoral Care, Mrs Phillipa Coward, leads this team which includes our Pastoral Care Teachers, House Leaders, College Counsellors, School Psychologist, and our Educational Psychologist. This team works together to bring about the best possible well-being outcomes for our students.
In Years 7 - 10, we are fortunate to have time every week allocated to Personal Development Education. These sessions are generally held in Year levels and important topics are engaged with throughout the course. Topics include Resilience, Anti-Bullying, Character Strengths, Growth Mindset, Goal Setting, Respectful Relationships, Cybersafety, Sexting and Consent. We have also had guest presenters work with our students in the areas of Mental Health (Speak Up Stay ChatTY) and Drug Education.
Pastoral Care/Student Well-being also covers a range of formal policies and activities within our community in addition to Personal Development. These include:
- Religious Education Curriculum
- Learning Support
- Absenteeism
- Pathway/Career planning
- Anti-Harassment Policy
- Behaviour Management Policy
- Student Leadership Opportunities (including Student Leadership Team, House Leaders, Peer Support Leaders and the Student Representative Council)