Pastoral Care

Middle School Pastoral Care 

Sydney Adventist College aims to provide a pastoral care system which develops a sense of community and belonging in each section of the school.  The College community provides a safe, nurturing and happy environment in which students and staff alike demonstrate care, compassion, courtesy and respect for others.   The College has a strong commitment to ensuring that every student feels safe, enjoys coming to school, and can achieve their best in a classroom learning environment that is enthusiastic, challenging and well-managed. 

Chaplaincy and Counselling Services 

Chaplaincy and Counselling services support the pastoral care objectives of the College and provide personal and family support when circumstances place students and/or their families under stress.  The counselling and chaplaincy of the College represent a confidential support program for students who may feel the need to seek adult guidance with problems they may prefer not to share with their teachers.

In their various roles, Homeroom and Classroom Teachers also play an integral role in the pastoral care of students attending the College.

When they feel the need of support, whether the cause is within the College or not, students are encouraged to seek the support of their Year Coordinator, Head of Middle School, Homeroom or Classroom teachers, or the Pastoral Care Department (Chaplain or Counsellor). 

Peer Support and Buddies

New students are supported through both the Peer Support program and the allocation of buddies to assist them in settling into their new school.  Year 11 Peer Support leaders receive specific training at the end of Year 10, and play an extremely important role in befriending, leading and counselling small groups of Middle School students entering Years 5-8.  They are actively involved in support work during the first term of each school year, and provide less formal ongoing support to their younger friends for the rest of the year.  Students who commence at other times throughout the year are assigned a buddy to assist them in making friends and getting into routine for the first couple of weeks.

All students are encouraged to participate in such activities as swimming carnivals, athletics carnivals, camps, excursions, worship programs, etc.,  in order to develop their sense of belonging.