Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

As a Catholic school, St Bede’s shares in the mission of the Catholic Church. Christ’s commandment, “to love one another as I have loved you” is the basis of this faith community. Pastoral care gathers all the qualities and practices within a community that seek to make this commandment real.

At St Bede’s, we aim to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all members of the school community. Our Pastoral Care structure is designed to allow all students to grow and develop in a supportive and nurturing environment. The College has a code of rights and responsibilities which guide all relationships within the College. Student wellbeing is a collaborative partnership between staff, parents and carers and our school and parish community.

Wellbeing is the concept which underpins pastoral care. We are conscious of the need to promote healthy wellbeing in all areas of the human person. We recognise the flow on effects of mental wellbeing to academic achievement and whole of life satisfaction. Through intensive collaboration with the Catholic School’s Office, psychologists, and staff at St Bede’s, a Year 7 to 12 Wellbeing continuum has been established, which provides a road map for Wellbeing Education.  

Each year group is allocated to a Student Coordinator. They, in turn, each lead six Homeroom Teachers who are directly responsible for the wellbeing of 20 students in their charge. The Student Coordinator and Homeroom Teachers are responsible for developing and maintaining Pastoral relationships and care.

Homeroom

Each day, students gather in their Homeroom, where there are opportunities to pray together, and touch base regarding any concerns that students may be having.

Wellbeing Sessions

Formal Wellbeing Education sessions, based upon our Wellbeing Continuum take place on a fortnightly basis. The focus for each term stems from each of our four domains:

Courage - Strength and persistence: links with the identity of the individual. In Term 1, the focus is upon knowing, acknowledging and understanding our strengths. In addition to this, there is also a focus upon acknowledging areas for development and the courage to create goals and strategies to improve in these areas.

Knowledge - Passion and knowledge: links with understanding yourself as a learner. In Term 2, the focus is upon gaining and refining study skills and responsible decision-making.

Community – Harmony and connection: links to building positive relationships. In Term 3, the focus is upon developing the skills needed to establish and maintain friendships as well as dealing with conflict in a positive way. In addition to this, there is also a focus upon transitioning from adolescent to adult in terms of subject selections, part-time work and career paths.

Faith – Faith and enlightenment: links with shining our light. In this term, the focus is upon social justice and caring for the needs of others locally, nationally and worldwide.

Assemblies

These are held every fortnight to acknowledge and celebrate student achievements in all aspects of College life.

Community Days

Community Days are essential for providing students with a sense of belonging, which is so important in building personal wellbeing. Some of these include St Bede’s Feast Day, swimming and athletics carnivals and National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices form the basis of our discipline procedures. The focus is on personal accountability and restoring the broken relationships rather than retribution and punishment. We seek to help students learn from their mistakes, reconcile and resolve problems with others.