Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

The care and wellbeing of our students underpins our holistic approach to character education and pastoral care at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ. Through our House system, we create a nurturing environment where each boy is supported in their social and emotional development. This system fosters a sense of belonging and community, allowing each student to build strong relationships with peers and pastoral leaders dedicated to helping them build character and healthy masculinity. We also run educational seminars and provide resources to help parents have meaningful conversations with their children on important topics such as respectful relationships and cyber safety, 

We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character - that is the true goal of education.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr

 

 

House System

A central part of School life at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ, new students join one of 18 Houses in the Senior School and become part of an inclusive community strongly committed to getting to know each boy individually and supporting them to reach their full potential.

Each House is led by a Housemaster and supported by a dedicated team of staff members, known as Tutors. Together, they are responsible for the wellbeing of students plus ensuring all boys are duly recognised for their achievements and contributions to their House, School and the wider community.

As students progress through to Year 11 at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ, they will become important mentors and positive role models to the younger students in their House, continuing our School's rich tradition and motto of handing on the torch of life. 

 

House System

Character In Action

Our Character In Action programme is for students in Year 7 to 10 and focusses on the cultivation of respectful relationships, healthy masculinity, servant leadership and genuine connections. This programme is delivered through engaging, tutor-led sessions that introduce students to the School's core virtues at age-appropriate levels, familiarising them with the meaning of each virtue and how to positively embody them through their actions and behaviours. 

Programme schedule

Year 7  Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Good Men Honesty  Courage Integrity
Respect Gratitude Service Humility
Character In Action

Wellbeing Seminars

We are deeply committed to delivering comprehensive, evidenced-based approaches to student care and wellbeing. Partnering with leading subject matter experts, our Wellbeing seminars run from Year 7 to Year 12 and empower our students to think clearly and act responsibly when faced with challenging situations they may encounter from adolescence through to adulthood and beyond.

Seminar topics include:

  • Respectful Relationships
  • Cyber Safety and Digital Resilience
  • Mental Health Literacy
  • Safe Partying
  • Gambling and Gaming

We ensure each topic is delivered at an age-appropriate level where they are mature enough to understand the associated risks and impacts.

Wellbeing Seminars

Parent Seminars

In partnership with the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Parents' Association, the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Pastoral Care team organises a number of parent seminars every year, hosted by esteemed guest speakers and experts in parenting. These engaging and highly informative sessions provide parents with practical tips and resources on playing an active role in supporting their child's development, covering topics such as building resilience, positive masculinity and respectful relationships.  

Parent Seminars
ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ School Character Education

Collaborating with Girls’ Schools

Under the guidance of our Pastoral Care Team, our ongoing collaboration with neighbouring girls’ schools is a key component of the Character Education programme. These collaborations help form the foundation of a well-rounded education for students, one that transcends gender perspectives to deliver a more profound understanding and appreciation of respect, equality and diversity.

Every year, our Building Connections initiative brings the boys together with girls from Roseville College and Queenwood. These joint sessions provide them with the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on the importance of respectful relationships and social topics such as consent, mental health awareness and cyber safety.

We also organise fun social events to encourage building better connections and developing camaraderie. The Year 10 Formal we share with Pymble Ladies' College goes beyond the dance floor as it requires students from both schools to work collaboratively on planning the occasion. Our Year 12 students engage regularly in a series of friendly sporting contests with local girls’ schools, providing opportunities for them to stay fit and active while meeting new friends.

 

  • Our Senior School Cadet Programme is run in conjunction with Wenona School. This programme transcends traditional boundaries, fostering an environment where young boys and girls come together to test their leadership skills within the framework of an army cadet corp.
  • Around sixty ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ boys and sixty girls from Abbotsleigh come together every year for the Shabbots camp.
  • ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ's Christian group meets with Roseville College on select Fridays, where students from both schools convene for an inspiring session of conversations on faith, fun games and pastoral insights.

Our Service Learning initiatives offers numerous opportunities for engagement and collaboration with various girls’ schools. Currently, ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ partners with Queenwood for the annual sleepout at Rough Edges and both schools train together for weekly service at the Rough Edges Café.

Every year, our students also volunteer in the Sony Camp to support fun and skill development to children with disabilities. This experience contributes to our Year 11 students' development by instilling the values of inclusivity and empathy and fostering positive relationships.

Engaging with theatre and drama exposes the boys to the intricacies of the human condition, nurtures empathy, and develops social and emotional intelligence. Our longstanding partnerships with girls’ schools in numerous productions and experiences over the years that has enabled boys to grasp the essence of striving to become good men. These partnerships with girls’ schools extend across ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ's performing arts domain. Students from Roseville College, Wenona, Loreto Kirribilli, Pymble Ladies' College, Willoughby Girls’ High School, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and Redlands are welcomed annually for the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Musical.

Take the first step
into ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ for your child

As the ancient philosopher Lao Tzu said, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’. Enrolling at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ will set your child on a path they’ll follow in life.
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