St Mary’s College prides itself in being a safe, co-educational school where students thrive and feel a strong sense of belonging. The size of our school enables each student to be known in our community. Our Pastoral Care Team adopts a holistic approach to student wellbeing, instilling a culture of care and respect in our young people. We guide and support your child to realise and develop their strengths. Relationships between the student, family and Pastoral Care Teacher provide a grounding foundation for students, fostering their wellbeing, confidence, sense of self and excitement for their future.
OUR HOLISTIC APPROACH TO STUDENT WELLBEING
Belonging – Being known in our welcoming, safe and inclusive community
Care – Compassion and support from teachers, embedded in our culture
Positive Relationships – Respectful relationships that reinforce students’ self-worth and inherent dignity
Focus on Strengths – A culture where students are encouraged to use their strengths to realise their potential
Student Voice– Students are empowered to have an active voice in College life
PASTORAL CARE
Upon joining St Mary’s College, your child will meet every morning in their Pastoral Class. Their Pastoral Teacher develops a strong and supportive relationship with your child and is the person at the College who provides a daily check-in point for their wellbeing.
Additionally, every teacher at St Mary’s College is an active contributor to the wellbeing of students. Students have many avenues to discuss their concerns, with a formalised structure of wellbeing, including our Student Counsellor Catherine Mc Mahon, available on site to all students to directly contact.
WE ARE A RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS PARTNER SCHOOL
We are committed to providing an environment where all people feel safe, valued and respected. The Respectful Relationships Whole School Approach, with its focus on rights, responsibilities and resilience, is a notable way in which we seek to achieve a positive, respectful environment for our students. Further, our pastoral program is informed by the teaching and learning strategies housed in the Respectful Relationships Program, thus ensuring contemporary and engaging lessons for our students. Finally, by being part of the Respectful Relationships Network, we are able to share resources and ideas with like-minded educational institutions, thus allowing for best practice in this area.
WE PROVIDE A CYBERSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENT LEARNING AND LIFE
St Mary's College is proactive in providing a cybersafe environment at school. Our approach to cybersafety promotes good online habits as we partner with parents to educate our students to become good digital citizens.
STUDENT VOICE
Respect, Justice, Compassion, Inclusivity and Courage are the values imbedded in our culture. We see our students live these values in their interactions with each other and in the broader College community. At St Mary’s College, our students are given the opportunity to become leaders, exercising their student voice, being active contributors to the student community and beyond the College.
Students at all year levels are encouraged to become a leader in our Student Representative Council or Student Voice Committee. Our Year 10 Campus Leadership Structure, Sports Leadership Academy and Senior Prefect Team provide opportunities for students to be positive role models who make difference to others.