Pastoral Care is a key component in delivering quality education. A student will find it difficult to learn if they are struggling emotionally or socially or there are unnecessary distractions. Likewise, students will find it hard to learn if another student is disruptive or distracting in the learning environment. Often disruption is a symptom of something deeper and this is why there is an intentional system in place using a Pastoral Care teacher who has regular contact with their class as well as the use of the RTC process.

Parent Portal – access to Pastoral Care notes and Mobile Phone use

Over the past two weeks, two significant changes have also been put in place. Firstly, the Parent Portal will now allow parents access to their own child’s Pastoral Care Summary. Of course, you will not be able to see anyone else’s details. This means parents will be able to see if there are any concerns in a more timely fashion and can address these proactively with the relevant teachers, Year level Coordinators or Head of School – if the concern is more global or of a significant nature. The other change is that students have been asked to leave their phones locked in their lockers during the day. This is to enable the best environment for academic success.

I recently came across these excellent points on counter-bullying ideas for parents to consider:

1) Listen to your child: they have shown courage in reporting to you about their experiences, and in sharing their emotions.

2) Reassure them that it is not their fault.

3) Ask them how they want you to deal with it: what would make them feel comfortable.

4) Communicate openly with the school; partner with them to support your child and to stop the bullying; establish the facts of the situation and follow up communications.

5) Be patient but constant: the College leadership and teachers will be working to making it stop, keep checking on how things are progressing and what they have done to prevent it occurring further. 

Holidays and school

Please remember that the Middle School years are foundational as students prepare for senior education and beyond. Please ensure holidays are not planned during term time. If your child is absent for an extended period of time, please contact your child’s Pastoral Care teacher. Eight days absence in a year can significantly impact a child’s academic success.

Jacqualina Vreeling, Head of Middle School