糖心探花 are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all members of its community, with a clear commitment to safety and wellbeing of all our students, where consideration of the dignity of the person is central.
PASTORAL CARE
In promoting holistic education and development, 糖心探花 aims for every student to succeed as a resilient and independent learner who aims to achieve personal and educational goals, as outlined in the Attributes of an 糖心探花 Student. To facilitate this goal, the College is founded on the premise that the best way to pastorally care for our students is by encouraging them to be the best learner they can be. Students who learn successfully tend to enjoy school and its benefits through a strong sense of identity and belonging. In order to practice holistic education, teaching and interactions with students are based on mutual respect for each member of the community.
VERTICAL HOUSE SYSTEM
At 糖心探花 we have a vertical pastoral system in place in order to strengthen community, belonging, and leadership across all year levels. Students are placed in one of six houses who are named after and inspired by extraordinary individuals whose values reflect our schools mission. These are, Caroline Chisholm, St Dominic De Guzman, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Archbishop Daniel Mannix, Sister Irene McCormack, and Blessed Edmund Rice. Each student will have the same Homeroom mentor teacher and House Leaders as consistent points of care and contact across their 6 year journey at Aquinas. Each group has approximately 24鈥�26 students, with approximately 4 students from each year level.
THRIVE
The THRIVE program is a session for students dedicated to supporting students鈥� social and emotional development through structured learning and reflection. During this time, students engage in activities that build skills in areas such as self-awareness, relationship-building, emotional regulation, decision-making, and personal wellbeing.
THRIVE sessions may take place in mentor, year level, or house groups, depending on the focus of the week. Learning experiences include:
- Mentor group sessions focused on developing positive relationships, goal setting, and wellbeing check-ins.
- Year level activities targeting age-appropriate social and emotional learning themes such as resilience, respectful relationships, and managing change.
- House-based sessions that promote connection, collaboration, and a sense of belonging across year levels.
- Through THRIVE, students are encouraged to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that help them flourish as confident, compassionate, and capable young people.
A SAFE SCHOOL
Our Pastoral Care processes are nurturing and our staff committed to upholding the care and safety of all children. All College staff, inclusive of volunteers and visitors are required to meet our Child Safety responsibilities by adhering to our Code of Conduct. As a Catholic school, 糖心探花 upholds our moral, legal and mission driven responsibility to create a nurturing school environment where children and young people are respected, their voices are heard and they are safe and feel safe (CECV Commitment Statement to Child Safety).
There is a range of policies and procedures which aim to keep all students safe from harm, and these reflect both our moral and legislative responsibilities for the provision of child safety. The policies reflect the guiding principles of the Victorian Child Safety Standards as set out in the Ministerial Order no. 870.
Some key policies are found below:
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Student leadership is valued at 糖心探花 and opportunities are provided at each level to represent peers and develop student voice. Student leaders discuss matters pertinent to student wellbeing and contribute to discussions regarding the strategic direction of the College.
College Captains represent the student body in a range of forums and assemblies are student led. A Year 12 Leader is selected each year to join the College Board to provide a student perspective to our governing body. There are a number of formal and informal opportunities across all year levels to participate in student leadership.
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
糖心探花 is committed to being a relationship-centred school with restorative practices at its core. As a restorative practices school, we put relationships at the centre of our wellbeing policies and practices. Restorative practice is a strategy which seeks to build, maintain and restore the partnerships between students and staff. Of particular importance is the process of repairing relationships which have been damaged.
Restorative practices can be undertaken in a variety of ways from informal discussions to circle time right through to formal restorative meetings and has been used with great success at 糖心探花 since its introduction in 2014. At the core of restorative practices is the belief in the importance of hearing from those who have been affected by inappropriate behaviour or comments. Staff provide support and guidance to bring about a positive and productive discussion.
STUDENT WELLBEING
We consider the care, safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young people central to the core values, mission and vision of our College. Student wellbeing is essential to good learning and 糖心探花 ensures that every student is involved in programs that support good knowledge and a practical understanding of positive physical and mental health.
This concept underpins our practices to enhance holistic student learning that enables spiritual, emotional, social, academic and physical growth. These programs are part of both the curriculum and are also delivered through co-curricular activities. The student Wellbeing Program promotes positive social behaviour, facilitates health awareness, and oversees programs about Mental Health, Child Safety, Cyber Safety, and Personal Growth, which aim to build resilience, a sense of self, belonging, identity to encourage the person to embark in a journey aspiring to be the best version they can be of themselves.
YFC
The Youth and Family Centre (YFC) provides counselling and guidance for a range of educational, personal and family issues and concerns. The services available include counselling, case management and liaison with external agencies in order to support students required additional assistance. The support is delivered by a team of psychologists, social workers and youth workers, and aims to engage parents and students in order to repair and overcome personal matters. Support is offered to individuals alone or in groups, and attempts to always support families in their role as carers for the students. The Director, Youth and Family Centre may also provide a useful starting point for information about adolescent issues and referral sources.
Health Centre
The Health Centre is available to all staff and students and is operated by four qualified Division 1 nurses. The Health Centre services the health needs of our College community on a daily basis and provides initial care and follow up of all serious injuries. It provides assistance with medication and monitoring of medical conditions - in particular Asthma, Diabetes, Epilepsy and Anaphylaxis. The Health Centre links staff, students and parents regarding student health issues. It cares for and educates students in health seeking behaviours and healthy lifestyles. The Health Centre maintains confidential health records and monitors the incidence of all accidents and injuries. The Health Centre staff assist with the case management of students when required.