Pastoral Care

"we dedicate ourselves … to being a community…

which is student centered, which has a strong sense of belonging,

and which contributes to the development of a more fully human society"

(Vision Statement 1999)

As a Catholic college we have a deeper responsibility to provide for the development of the whole person. Each of us is called to be the best person we can be and we must have a Christian commitment to enable our students to discover, nurture and strengthen their true potential. This perspective must illuminate everything we do as a Catholic college. In a sense, we have no more important duty than to help form the Christian in an environment where the values of the Gospels - love, peace, truth, justice, compassion and forgiveness are paramount. We measure ourselves as a Catholic school by how true we are to our mission in pastoral care.

The term Pastoral Care also covers a whole range of formal policies and activities within an educational community; "personal development" is one part of the whole picture. At MacKillop College this includes the following:

1. Religious Education Curriculum
2. Personal Development
3. Anti-Harassment Policy
4. Behaviour Management Policy
5. Critical Incident Management Policy
6. Special Education
7. MindMatters Program
8. Student Leadership Policy

A circle of key staff have special responsibilities in pastoral care. Students have a range of options to pursue when seeking assistance of a pastoral nature. Their most immediate contact may be their Home Room Teacher or Year Level Co-ordinators, but all students may also seek the assistance of the Deputy Principal or Principal who also have key roles in the pastoral care circle. They can also seek help from the Director of Pastoral Care, or the Religious Education Co-ordinator. All students have access to the College Counsellor who is available to work with students and families and who can refer students to outside agencies where applicable. At MacKillop, all staff are available to students for guidance and support.