Student Wellbeing

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

As a Catholic school, St Joseph’s College shares in the mission of the Catholic Church. Christ’s commandment, “to love one another as I have loved you” is the basis of all faith communities. Pastoral care gathers all the qualities and practices within a community that seek to make this commandment real.

Wellbeing is the concept which underpins pastoral care. St Joseph's is focused on the wellbeing of the whole school community. We are conscious of the need to promote healthy wellbeing in all areas of the human person. Mental health is of paramount importance. We recognise the flow on effects of mental wellbeing to academic achievement and whole of life satisfaction. The St Joseph’s College Pastoral Framework underpins the support provided for students.

Where a need for specific assistance is identified, St Joseph’s offers the services of a school counsellor. The school runs a number of other programs throughout the year targeted to the needs of individual students. These include a variety of small groups focusing on building positive relationships and self-esteem; Season For Growth (understanding grief and loss) and tailored programs to build social skills and organisation.

Peer Support

When students enrol at St Joseph’s in Year 7, they are supported in their transition by our Peer Support program, with leaders allocated to them from Year 10 class. These Peer Support leaders work with Year 7 students throughout Term 1 to help them understand the routines of the school and settle into life at high school.

Belonging

Community Days are essential for providing students with a sense of belonging, which is so important in building personal wellbeing.

In the transition process from Year 6 to Year 7, students experience a number of orientation opportunities to help familiarise themselves with the College, become aware of support and assistance and to begin to establish new friendships. This is enhanced further during the Year 7 Camp which will occur in Term 1 from 2019.

Students in all year groups also participate in Community Days throughout the year. These include year-based days where students focus on team-building and building positive relationships, along with whole school occasions such as, St Joseph’s Day and Swimming/Athletics/Cross Country Carnivals that promote community and belonging.

Restorative Practices form the basis of our discipline procedures for times when students do not behave in a way that displays respect, responsibility and concern for the safety of self and others. The focus is on personal accountability and restoring the broken relationships rather than retribution and punishment. This means that we seek to help students learn from their mistakes, reconcile and resolve problems with others. At the commencement of each year, a copy of the Restorative Triangle is given to all parents. This resource identifies the behavioural expectations of the students and the consequences if these are not met.

Support Personnel

Learning Support Team
Students at St Joseph's College, Lochinvar, are supported in their learning by our Learning Support Team that includes a Learning Support Coordinator, Learning Support Teachers and Teacher Aides. The Learning Support team work to support both the pastoral and academic needs of the students.

Clinical Psychologist

St Joseph's has the services of a Clinical Psychologist, provided through the Catholic Schools Office, working at the school. The psychologist provides support with academic and social assessments. Recommendations are made to assist parents and teachers to cater for the ongoing educational needs of the students.

Within the Gates Program

To support students and families, St Joseph’s is participating in a pilot of the Diocese Within the Gates Program. This means that a Case Worker is allocated to the school full times. The Case Worker has a particular focus on supporting attendance and vulnerable students and families. 

Careers Advisor

Our Careers Advisor works in supporting students in a variety of ways:

  • Advice in determining career path
  • Developing a CV and applying for work
  • Accessing work experience
  • Selecting subjects and determining pathways for Stage 6
  • Conducting Transition Lessons (Year 10)
  • Applying for apprenticeships and traineeships
  • Applying for university or TAFE

The Careers Advisor can be accessed by students at the Careers Office.

Aboriginal Education Teacher

Working to support our Indigenous students, our Aboriginal Education Teacher builds relationships with students, families and the community to promote cultural identity and assist students in reaching their potential. Each year our teacher works with indigenous students to develop an individual plan for to support their learning.