Pastoral Care
All members of the community are encouraged to see themselves as active members of a community of care. As one of the key elements of the College, the distinguishing feature of the Pastoral Care program at Pacific is its basis on Christian principles. Students from Prep are encouraged to grow in their co-agency to lead and care for themselves and with others to enhance the environment and the lives of other people.
In recognition of differing developmental needs, students in the early and junior years are grouped by years whilst those in the Middle and Senior years are grouped vertically.
From Prep the values of service, acceptance, compassion and mutual support are fostered. From a Christian perspective, and through practical involvement, students are progressively challenged to develop an understanding of their capacity to make a difference in terms of care and leadership or self and with others in both small and large group contexts. The Pacific Way identifies key milestones across all dimensions of College life to support this growth across Prep to Year 5.
Class teachers across the Foundation and Junior College and Pastoral Care teachers in the Middle and Senior College are the main sources of support for the student, providing an important link between home and school. In a planned way, student development across the spiritual, intellectual, physical, cultural and social spheres is monitored and supported on an ongoing basis by the class and Pastoral Care teacher.
Students from Prep to Year 12 are also involved in Foundation Council Cup activities where each of the four houses (Bula, Buran, Mumba and Wira) compete against each other. A variety of activities provide a range of opportunities for a broad range of students with diverse talents to contribute to their house as they compete for the Sporting, Academic and Cultural House Shields. This spirited competition provides a strong sense of belonging across the College.
Pastoral care teachers are key people in the implementation of the College's welfare strategies.
The Home College Partnership
Meaningful communication between parents/guardians, teachers and the student is vital to the success of all programs at the College. The values and standards of the College reflect and reinforce those of the Christian home.
Counselling
Class and Pastoral Care teachers are involved in support when students share concerns with them. When serious matters arise, the College Counsellor and/or the College Pastor or College Chaplain may assist. Where necessary, and after discussion between parents/guardians and the school, outside support counselling services may be required.
Worship
The College seeks to be a Christian community in which staff and students alike, give expression to their Christian faith. Formal worship through involvement in chapel services led by students, staff and the College Pastor and Chaplain will occur regularly each week. Parents and friends are always welcome to these services. Leadership and participation in more informal devotional activities occur within Pastoral Care time, which further support faith and personal development.
All members of the community are encouraged to see themselves as active members of a community of care. Students from Prep are encouraged to grow in their co-agency to lead and care for themselves and with others to enhance the environment and the lives of other people.
Middle and Senior College Vertical Pastoral Care
Vertical pastoral care groups are a key part of supporting young people in their growth through the middle and senior years. Students and staff are in the same care group for the whole time they are in the Middle and Senior College, which gives them opportunities to develop strong supportive relationships. Our Year 10-12 students are encouraged and supported to grow as mentors for younger members of the pastoral care group.
This structure also gives parents the opportunity to get to know their child’s care group teacher well and have one constant point of contact through their time at the College. Family members are generally part of the same group. Students begin and end each day with Pastoral Care Group time.
Students in Year 6 experience pastoral care from their Year 6 teachers and in Term 4, they begin to attend their pastoral care group one day a week. From Year 7, students are fully integrated into the care group but still receive considerable support from their Year 7 teachers, benefitting from both horizontal and vertical care. The care group teacher becomes the main student support person from the start of Year 8.
Students engage in a range of activities including group building activities, devotions and inter care group challenges. Pastoral Care Group teachers are the main carers for students across Years 7-12 and support students in their academic and social wellbeing.
Restorative Practices
Building a Culture of Respect stands as a powerful reminder of the nature of relationships expected at the College. All members of the community are encouraged to be tolerant, compassionate and accepting of others. The College uses positive language to facilitate the development of a safe culture where students work together to support an environment that is peaceful and productive. Through the personal development program and through formal presentations of the Building a Culture of Respect principles, students and staff have the opportunity to develop skills to work through conflict and to grow in their interpersonal skills. These proactive programs begin in Prep and continue throughout the student’s time at the College.
One of the important strategies has been to cultivate a culture of servant leadership where older students provide support to younger students. The three R’s are also encouraged: respect for others, respect for yourself and respect for the community.
Students are encouraged to report all forms of harassment and bullying. These are recorded and followed through using a no blame approach that aims to develop the interpersonal skills of all persons involved. Parents are notified as these issues are worked through at school. As well as these proactive programs, Pacific also conducts an audit at the commencement of Term 2 as an additional check of the level of student safety. These results have reflected a very positive student culture and are reported to the staff and students.
Electronic communication presents wonderful connections between people and for learning but can also be used inappropriately and may cause harm. The College provides parent seminars and information in the Compass newsletters about using these mediums in a safe and productive manner.
Through God’s acts of love and forgiveness to His people, the College approach to behaviour management is gospel-inspired. All matters of corrective discipline are carried out in the context of forgiveness, which allows students and staff to restore relationships.
Pacific Lutheran College believes that:
- In a secure, success-oriented, empowering learning environment, the privilege to learn and teach must be vigorously encouraged and protected.
- In order to encourage and protect these privileges, social responsibilities must be taught and modelled. The dignity of all must be maintained.
- Where students are given opportunities to choose appropriate behaviours, self-discipline is promoted and self-esteem is enhanced.
- Effective management of student behaviour occurs in partnership with the families of the students.
- Students are more likely to produce responsible behaviour when home and the College agree on consistent expectations and consequences.
- Expectations of behaviour should be clearly and simply communicated to all members of the college community. Consequences for inappropriate behaviour should be predictable and fairly administrated.
The Home College Partnership
Meaningful communication between parents/guardians, teachers and the student is vital to the success of our program. The values and standards of the College reflect and reinforce those of the Christian home. Within the context of the Building a Culture of Respect, students are expected to exhibit behaviours that:
- Support the underlying values of the College, including the commitment to uphold a gospel-based philosophy of love, acceptance and forgiveness.
- Show respect and understanding for the needs of self and others, their securities, happiness and self worth.
- Support the learning environment and the privileges of both students and teachers to learn and teach.
- Protect the health and safety of the students and others.
- Show respect for the College environment and the possessions of all members of the College community.
Click here to download the full Building A Culture Of Respect Policy.
Student Leadership
Fostering leadership skills in all students is a key focus of Pacific Lutheran College. Students from Prep are encouraged to grow in their co-agency to enhance the environment, their lives and the lives of other people. Students have the opportunity to develop these skills through engagement in personal development, outdoor education and pastoral care programs, curricular and co-curricular activities, formal elected positions and by voluntary membership of committees.
In Year 5, all students have the opportunity to act as leaders and take advantage of a range of roles including Gawun ('Caring' in Kabi Kabi Language) leader and being a part of Kids In Action, to make a difference within and beyond our community. Roles include the leadership of Junior College assemblies and being buddies for Prep students.
Pacific Action Groups provide important opportunities for Years 6-12 students to make a difference and to grow leadership capacities. The Action groups involve appointed positions for Year 6 and 12 students and are open for all Years 6-12 students to attend. The seven Pacific Action Groups of Academic, Culture, Environmental, Sport, Spirituality and Service, Student Wellbeing and Technology provide important opportunities for growth of co-agency and student leadership across Years 6 - 12.
Formal elected positions as Middle and Senior College Captains, House Captains and Vice Captains also play an important role in the leadership of the Pacific community.
To see the leadership pathway click here.
Foundation College
Pacific Lutheran College’s early childhood program provides a strong foundation for young learners. The Foundation College, from Kindergarten to Year 2, provides a warm, stimulating and nurturing learning environment.
Junior College
The Junior College supports children as they shift from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’. Learning experiences take into account the increased importance of peers and higher levels of cognitive skills including the ability to become increasingly self-reflective and outward looking.
Middle College
The Middle College program aims to provide a challenging, stimulating and supportive environment as young people move into adolescence.
Senior College
Continuing the strong academic focus, the Senior years are seen as preparation for life beyond school.
As young adults within the College, Senior students will be encouraged to play a leading role both at school and in the wider community. Increasingly, senior students take on the roles of lead...
