Pastoral Care/Student Wellbeing
Pastoral Care refers to all actions within our school to promote and enhance physical, social, emotional, psychological, intellectual and spiritual wellness. Schools are uniquely placed to foster student attributes that will enable them to achieve their full potential, and we understand the importance of working closely and collaboratively with families to promote positive student wellbeing.
At St Agnes’ Primary School, the dignity and well-being of each student are at the centre of our school policies, decisions, curriculum, structures, and practices that place emphasis on students feeling cared for, valued and respected.
We recognise the importance of the reciprocal and interconnected relationship between well-being and learning. ‘Wellbeing positively influences student learning outcomes, and success in learning enhances student wellbeing’ (Australian Student Wellbeing Framework).
Students who feel safe, connected and secure and have loving and trusting relationships are more likely to be active participants in their learning and to achieve better physical, emotional, social and educational outcomes. Some of the ways we aim to promote positive well-being in our students are:
- modelling strong, healthy and trusting relationships
- teaching social and emotional skills to build resilience and wellbeing
- teaching and modelling values and behaviours based on respect for themselves and others
- providing opportunities for students to participate actively in their learning
- providing a level of care that will meet the unique needs of each student
- embedding inclusive teaching practices to build a connected and safe school culture.
All students are accompanied in their journey to freely choose the ‘fullness of life’ (John 10:10).
Allied Health and Pastoral Care
Our school provides a Counselling Service that has a major focus on student wellbeing. Our School Counsellor works with students and their families and offers professional, confidential support and advocacy. The service is accessed when there are:
- times of family loss and grief
- changing roles and relocation
- illness
- additional needs
- students or parents facing personal, emotional or behavioural challenges.
Our Counsellor works closely with the School Leadership and all staff in promoting, planning and delivering student centred programs that will enhance children’s resilience and skills and contribute positively toward their total development.
We are blessed to have a Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist employed for three days each week. These amazing Allied Health staff work closely with our teaching staff to support identified students in our St Agnes’ Primary School community.
We support all students by offering a wide variety of play spaces and activities for them to engage in during lunchtime.