Student Welfare
Student Welfare
Pastoral Care Groups (PCG)
All students in the Senior School are part of a small Pastoral Care Group (PCG) which meets daily for a brief worship, roll marking, and important announcements. Pastoral Care Groups are made up of students from two year groups in the same sports house, which helps to facilitate friendships between years and encourages participation in house events. The PCG meets for a longer period each Thursday at the beginning of the day to discuss important personal development issues that specifically relate to the mission of the college and its core values. At that time, diaries are checked to ensure that the necessary planning is being done and that parents are being kept informed of important matters relating to school life. It allows time for PCG teachers to spend one-on-one time with each of their students and provide them with support where they require it.
PCG teachers monitor each student’s progress and address with them any problems they may have, aiming to assist in ensuring that their school life is enjoyable and steady academic progress is maintained.
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.
Counselling and Chaplaincy
Counselling services and the chaplaincy of the College also assist in meeting student welfare needs. They 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.
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.
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/
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.