Pastoral Care
Pastoral care for each student is at the heart of our College vision because we aim to develop the whole person. We desire that every student is empowered to live with purpose, integrity and joy because of their personal faith in Jesus Christ. We also desire that all of our students will feel connected and affirmed as they enjoy a safe and secure learning environment. We seek to continually develop the God-given gifts and potential of each student. Pastoral care is therefore, more than just an activity of the school but is at the heart of the culture of the school and so will be expressed in formal and informal ways.
Informally, teachers seek to connect with students inside and outside the classroom and so are able to monitor the development of each child. There are also many formal occasions when the pastoral care of each student is activity developed.
These occasions include weekly chapel services, class devotions, school assembly, activity days, school camps and mission trips
Wellbeing at St Philip's Christian College Cessnock
'Anchored in the hope of the Christian faith and in our College Core Values, we aim to equip our students with social and emotional learning to navigate their life journey towards becoming a person of great character. We seek to assist students to strengthen their relationships, enhance personal resilience and encourage a healthy lifestyle. We are committed to creating a nurturing environment of connectedness, empathy and service so that students can experience a positive sense of self and contribute meaningfully to society. ‘
Our dedicated Wellbeing team provide support to students in all stages of their learning journey, from Kindergarten to Year 12. The team are here to help with emotional and mental health needs, whether they are related to school stress, home life, friendships, relationships, or self-image concerns.
Students are able to meet with a member of the Wellbeing team for individual sessions. These sessions are confidential, and students are provided with helpful strategies to manage their concerns. If more support is needed, the Wellbeing team may suggest a referral to external providers.
In addition to individual sessions, the Wellbeing Team also runs intervention groups to address anxiety and social skills, using a Macquarie University program called ‘Cool Kids’. Furthermore, the team conducts specific programs like SHINE for Year 8 girls, Myths of Manhood for Year 8 boys, Drumbeat and Seasons of Growth for grief and loss. Wellbeing staff also run workshops for students, staff and parents/carers around a variety of topics throughout the year.
The team also collaborates with the Learning Support team to write support plans for students who require additional assistance.
This year, we have increased our focus on student wellbeing with the introduction of Thrive, a fortnightly wellbeing session that helps students develop a better understanding of themselves, build emotional capacity, and foster healthy social interactions.
If you would like your child to access our Wellbeing services, simply let their Pastoral Care teacher know and they will make a referral to the team.
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