Pastoral Care

In Year Seven, students are supported into settling into life at Emmaus using a range of new academic and social skills. Friendships, safety, knowledge, resilience and respect are important foundations to commencing a healthy and fulfilling journey at the College.

In Term One, students focus on finding their way in a new environment and the various tools that are available to them to develop confidence as a new member of our College. They will work on understanding and using a variety of platforms and programs, and developing skills and proficiencies required for secondary school life. Our retreat during this term reflects on the Emmaus story in Luke’s Gospel – it calls our new Emmaus students to reflect on and plan for their own Emmaus journey and we invite them to ‘walk with us… stay with us… and eat’ (Luke 24:15, 29-30).

In Term Two, students continue the transition to secondary school via the ReachOut Transitions Program. The program encourages a sense of belonging, connectedness and academic self-competence, as well as focusing on the prevention of potential anti-social behaviours and mental health issues. Students are encouraged to participate in as many facets of College life as they can, including sports, clubs and inter-house competitions. Our two-day retreat during this term focuses on resilience, belonging, making new friends and being a good friend, encouraging respect for people with diverse perspectives and experiences, and strengthening interpersonal skills.

In Term Three, students focus on safety – both online and in person. Supported by resources from the eSafety Commissioner, students will learn about positive online behaviours, including the value of respect, responsibility, empathy, resilience and critical thinking. Students also consider, discuss and contribute to the creation of appropriate and relevant strategies to respond to bullying in their context using the Emmaus College Stand Up Schools program, along with resources from “Bullying No Way”.

In Term Four, students continue to work on developing positive and respectful relationships and expressing gratitude, using the ReachOut program and resources from Beyond Blue’s BeYou. The focus for the term is on emotional and social development – how relationships in a student’s life can influence their physical health, promote self-esteem, and assist them in developing a sense of belonging. In the middle of the term, students in Year 7 also take part in activities organised by the Year 9 tutes as part of a community-building exercise. As the term draws to a close, students organise an activity in each tute to express appreciation and gratitude for someone or a group in the local community.

The Year 8 program is geared towards making new friends with a continued focus on planning and time management techniques specific to the needs of high school students. Our first retreat is Friendship Day, which is usually held at the beach.

In Term One and Two we look at developing our teamwork and communication skills. These are two important and commonly used skills in everyday life that are extended and developed further on the outdoor education camp for all Year 8 students held towards the middle of this term. This is held at Fairbairn Dam, 25km south of Emerald. The aims of the camp are to build self-confidence and self-esteem in students; provide students with problem solving challenges; develop social skills and build a sense of community and develop leadership qualities. Students challenge themselves and dare the high ropes; build rafts and attempt to keep them afloat; engage in trust activities and group problem solving and canoe via GPS navigation.

Term Three sees us looking at keeping safe, particularly in physical and online environments. All Year 8 students are taught the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum as part of this. Our two-day retreat involves participating in a one day interactive presentation by Real Talk Australia which examines our variety of relationships and also discovering and developing our personal identity.  Day two involves students extending on this presentation through a number of reflective, small-group activities.

In Term Four we explore leadership and how we can make a positive contribution to our community. Students prepare to move into Year 9 and take on roles as leaders of the Middle School campus.  We conclude the program and the year with a fun day of social activities such as ten pin bowling and a trip to the movies.

Tute Sporting Competitions – Students battle it out for the coveted Tute trophy in Netball and Touch Football! These activities are conducted during lunchtime and attract a large number of spectators and supporters. Year 10 buddies are assigned to each Tute and help organise, coach and encourage their Year 9 teams.

Relationships Day –  students are involved in a variety of learning experiences around the issue of healthy relationships and keeping themselves safe. This includes informative sessions on issues such as cyber safety as well as hands on lessons in areas of self-defence and relaxation techniques.

Peer Pressure –  The retreat theme in Term Three focuses on peer pressure, self-esteem and friendships. “Am I willing to do what’s right even if it means going against my friends? Am I a follower or a leader? How do I handle alcohol, drugs, bullying?” These and other tough issues are addressed in this Retreat Day. The Year level is split into two groups and also enjoy a day of activities at Kemp Beach.

Year 10 is an exciting year where students explore a variety of academic and community activities within a holistic learning framework.  There is a strong emphasis on developing self-awareness and consolidating learning ready for embarking on Years 11 and 12.

Students are encouraged to explore their potential, try new things including work experience and take greater responsibility for their own learning.  A Senior Education & Training (SET) plan is developed to encourage students to think about their future, consider their abilities and investigate their options for careers and further education. Through this process Year 10 students will make informed decisions about completing the senior phase of learning and about their future. It helps them to make immediate career and learning choices and to lay the foundations for lifelong learning and lifelong career development. Students are provided with a range of elective choices to inspire, motivate and experience learning to the full.

Another focus of the pastoral program is developing responsible and safe citizens, where students explore digital safety, personal well-being and positive relationships.

The aim of pastoral care in Year 11 is to develop students into young adults, as they begin their journey into senior schooling. Students are encouraged to develop skills for life after school including time management and interpersonal communication along with exploring leadership styles and opportunities. In addition,they are supported in making responsible decisions in regards to life balance with their academic, social, sporting and family commitments.

Specific programs offered during Year 11 include participation in the Year 7 Buddy Program and working as Year 8 Camp leaders to develop leadership skills as well as PDE (Personal Development and Education) sessions focussing on youth mental well-being.

Year 11 students are offered a wide array of pastoral experiences beyond the classroom. These include but are not limited to:

• Retreat days with guest presenters, Michael Fitzpatrick and Peer Power
• Voluntary afternoon and overnight retreats
• A variety of fundraising opportunities
• Blood donation
• Involvement with assemblies, liturgies and graduation celebrations

The aim of pastoral care in Year 12 is to continue developing students into young adults, as they commence their final year of schooling. Students are encouraged to develop skills for life after school, including time management, interpersonal communication along with exploring leadership styles and opportunities.

In addition, they are supported in making responsible decisions in regards to life balance with their academic, social, sporting and family commitments.

Programs offered during Year 12 include a range of leadership opportunities and PDE sessions focussing on spiritual, physical, mental and social well-being.

Year 12  students are offered a wide array of pastoral experiences beyond the classroom. These include but are not limited to:

• Planning and implementing the first year level retreat
• A retreat day with guest presenter,  Michael Fitzpatrick
• Voluntary overnight retreats
• Student leadership in formal  positions such as SRC and House Leadership
• A variety of fundraising opportunities
• Blood donation
• Involvement with assemblies, liturgies and graduation celebrations