AnnuAl RepoRt 2011 - The Scots College

STUDENT WELFARE POLICY
Boys are more likely to achieve optimal educational
outcomes when their learning and wellbeing are closely
linked. The Scots College has a strong Pastoral Care ethos
and is committed to looking after the needs of boys and
nurturing their growth and development within a safe and
caring environment. Effective Pastoral Care promotes a
positive, supportive whole College culture and is a pivotal
element of a creative and stimulating learning environment,
where each boy can feel connected and develop a sense of
his own abilities, achievements and self-worth.
Pastoral Care and student welfare programs are whole College
in nature. The health, wellbeing and safety of students is
managed through a carefully planned T-12 Pastoral Care
Program. Whilst every staff member has a responsibility for
the Pastoral Care of students, specialised Pastoral Care teams
in the Early Learning Centre, Preparatory School, Glengarry
and Senior School campuses oversee a comprehensive and
proactive Pastoral Care and welfare system. Pastoral Care
leaders in each campus work with Housemasters, House
tutors, counsellors, classroom teachers and Chaplains to
implement a Pastoral Care system that fosters the growth of
all students by incorporating the following key elements:
• A strong Pastoral Care ethos and pedagogy to ensure that
each student is encouraged; his efforts and achievements
acknowledged; and potential needs are identified and
effectively addressed.
Weekly Chapel services and Christian studies lessons that
promote the Judeo-Christian values that underpin all aspects
of College living and learning.
• The promotion of positive peer relations through peer
support, leadership and mentoring systems.
• A comprehensive student leadership training and
development program.
• Catering for individual gifts, abilities and needs of students
through the Learning Enrichment, Indigenous Education
and International Students Programs.
The Pastoral Care Program includes formal and informal
elements.
The programs involve activities, presentations and
workshops covering areas such as life skills, mental health,
emotional literacy, student motivation, anti-bullying,
diversity in community, positive peer relationships, alcohol
and drug education, driver education, managing stress and
careers planning.
All staff appointed to the College participate in child
protection screening and training and are issued with
copies of Staff Codes and given the opportunity to discuss
guidelines. All excursions and variations to routine require
full risk assessments to be completed.
• An age and developmentally appropriate Pastoral Care
program with formal and informal elements.
• A range of health promoting policies, practices and
processes that enhance coping and resilience; develop
identity and self-worth; and build socially responsible
lifestyles.
• Daily contact between the House tutor/class teacher and
students, enabling close monitoring and feedback on
performance and progress; and setting up systems of
guidance and support.
• Use of conflict resolution and restorative methods as the
appropriate means of resolving conflict and respecting
individual differences.
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