Student Welfare
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.
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.
Peer Support and "Buddy" System
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.
Counselling and Chaplaincy
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. In their various roles, Year Coordinators, Pastoral Care Group Teachers and 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, Pastoral Care Group Teacher, Head of Middle School, Homeroom or Classroom teachers, or the Pastoral Care Department (Chaplain or Counsellor).
Anti-bullying policy
Student safety is a primary concern of the College and it is our highest priority to provide a safe, friendly and enjoyable environment for each student to experience while at school. There is a strong anti-bullying policy in place, and students are encouraged to speak up when they become aware of anyone being victimised in any way, so that the welfare of the victim can be addressed quickly and supportively. Every student has the right to attend College knowing they will be safe and secure.
Internet and phone safety
In view of the technologically advanced nature of education and communication in the current school environment, we are conscious of the problems that can arise from the misuse of communications technology. This includes computers, the internet, mobile phones, and social networking which uses those technologies. For their own safety, students are therefore required to agree to an Acceptable Use Policy which governs their use of technology at the College, and which they should continue to follow outside College. We would encourage parents to monitor computer and mobile phone use at home, and put in place strong policies at home in regard to appropriate use. This will better protect your child from becoming a victim of inappropriate use, or from causing pain to others through inappropriate use.
Students better ensure their safety by following these rules in all public places on the internet:
• always use an alias rather than their real name,
• refrain from posting photographs of themselves or their friends (especially in College uniform),
• do not post comments which include real names,
• do not write or show anything which identifies the school they attend,
• do not in any way reveal the name of the College,
• do not in any way reveal their personal or home phone numbers,
• do not in any way reveal their home address or places they regularly visit.
Cyber Safety
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) provide a valuable website for "kids, teens, parents and carers" that aims to provide sound advice on how to best manage on-line risks so that experiences are safe and positive. Sydney Adventist College encourages parents and students to check the website for cyber safety tips.
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/
Other services
The program of the College contains many services, programs and activities designed to provide for the welfare and other needs of all students. These include but are not limited to:
• Active and regular attention to matters relating to Occupational Health and Safety
• Peer Support and Buddy System for new students
• Strong anti-bullying policies and procedures
• Clearly defined Child Protection policies and procedures
• Detailed Acceptable Use policy for the use of computer and communications equipment by students and staff
• Firm mobile telephone policy for students