Junior School
Pastoral Care
fostering positive relationships amongst students, teachers, school staff and the wider school community
Pastoral Care at St James’ Anglican School is fully integrated throughout the teaching and learning and structural organisation of the school to effectively meet the needs of the students and staff. The holistic view of each individual ensures that the personal, social, wellbeing and academic needs are recognised and the necessary support structures are in place.
St James’ is focused on quality teaching and learning, fostering positive relationships amongst students, teachers, school staff and the wider school community, offering a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and developing specific pastoral programs and support systems. These are recognised as essential in developing positive self-esteem, a sense of belonging, goal setting and risk taking, resilience and overall health and wellbeing.
Pastoral Care Groups
Within the Senior School, in addition to the above, each student belongs to a Pastoral Care Group, led by a Pastoral Care Tutor. The Pastoral Care Tutor is responsible for monitoring each child within their care for personal, social and academic development. As part of the Pastoral Care Program, there are also weekly planned activities which promote belonging and social cohesion. Outstanding effort, attitudes, behaviours and achievements are recognised regularly and in a number of ways including certificates, emails home, individual and house reward points and reward excursions and activities.
House Groups
Each student and staff member is also part of a House – Cervantes, Eglinton, Twilight or Sydney. The House Group is a constant throughout the school journey. The House System is designed to foster a sense of belonging and encourage a friendly competition between the Houses. Activities are designed to foster this and the House Tutor, or Pastoral Care Tutor, is the first point of contact for students each day and for parents and carers also.
Holistic Development of the Child
Over the year, parents, carers and family members are invited to events which recognise the important role they play in the holistic development of the child. The celebration of the family is a way of recognising how important the relationship is between the student, parents/carers and staff and contributes to the overall sense of belonging that the child feels at school.
The Pastoral programs at St James’ are constantly reviewed and developed. The focus is on pro-action, prevention, development, support, collaboration, effective reaction and management of pastoral care. The Pastoral Program ensures that students are provided the support and encouragement they need to develop into successful, happy and independent adults.
Anglican Foundation
St James’ Anglican School students will be given an education to prepare them to become contributing and successful members of the community and potential future leaders of that community. The School will aim to nurture each student so he or she is able to accept responsibility, demonstrate commitment and initiative, be self-disciplined and show sensitivity to the needs of others.
Students will receive a Christian education in the Anglican tradition and be encouraged to use it as a basis for living. The School will expect students to show the highest possible standards of courtesy, dress and behaviour.
Everyone has the opportunity to understand the importance of beliefs and values and to learn about the many ways different cultures express their faith.
Houses
At the start of each child’s journey at St James’ they are assigned to one of 4 houses. Each house name has been chosen to represent a shipwreck, acknowledging the maritime history of the area.
The House system supports students by fostering a sense of belonging and creating a community within a community. This provides an opportunity for students of all ages to develop friendships with other students and staff. Houses create a spirit of fun, co-operation and comradery through the Interhouse competitions such as carnivals, weekly housetime activities and sports; adding to the vibrancy of school life.
Each Friday, all students wear their house shirt to school. St James’ Houses are:
