At Mount Carmel College, the pastoral care of your child is a core part of our curriculum as we work to promote a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all members of our community. Respectful relationships are fostered as we build the capacity of young people to care for themselves and others, drawing on our College’s Catholic social justice teachings and Josephite tradition.
Recognising the vital role that wellbeing plays in how young people learn and grow, our focus is on developing and nurturing each child’s social, emotional, spiritual and academic gifts at each stage, both at the College and as members of the wider community.
Across the R-12 setting, the Berry Street Education Model is a key part of the College’s approach to working with the young people in our care. This approach enables staff to work with each student to support their wellbeing with the dual aim of improving learning outcomes for all.
On the secondary campus, there is a formal Pastoral Care program delivered each week. Encompassing an age and needs-appropriate developmental approach, these lessons are structured to reflect the College’s Core Values of Belonging, Diversity, Excellence and Relationship.
Across the year levels, the secondary Pastoral Care program is an inclusive one that draws on a range of frameworks and resources from the Berry Street Education Model, the Positive Education approach and Be You national mental health in education initiative, while incorporating the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum.
At the Year 9 level, the Rite Journey is a structured part of each student’s experience, as they engage in this program designed to support them in this critical stage of their development. Additionally, the College engages a range of community organisations including Headspace, SAPOL and Centacare, to enable students to learn about ways in which to support their positive mental health and wellbeing at each stage of their life, covering aspects such as digital citizenship and cyber-safety, driver education, healthy lifestyles, and social and emotional support networks.
On the secondary campus, the Students Committee comprises the Director of Students, the Year Level Coordinators and the counselling team (including the College Social Worker); the committee works closely with other key staff such as the Deputy Principal, the Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission, members of the Inclusion Team, the Transition Pathways Coordinator and the Aboriginal Education Focus Teacher.
Through its work, the committee strives to:
Additionally, at each year level, the Year Level Coordinator leads a team of Pastoral Care teachers to support the ongoing pastoral and wellbeing needs of the students.
Our Parent Handbook provides Parents/Caregivers and students with detailed information about the College, as well as important year-level specific information.
