Student Wellbeing

As a Catholic school, St Benedict’s shares in the mission of the Catholic Church. Christ’s commandment, “to love one another as I have loved you” is the basis of all faith communities. Pastoral care gathers all the qualities and practices within a community that seek to make this commandment real.

Wellbeing is the concept which underpins pastoral care and behaviour management. St Benedict's is focused on the wellbeing of the whole school community. We are conscious of the need to promote healthy wellbeing in all areas of the human person. Mental health is of paramount importance. We recognise the flow-on effects of mental wellbeing to academic achievement and whole of life satisfaction. We are a KidsMatter school – using this framework as a basis for student wellbeing. Within this framework, students are explicitly taught Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL).

Where a need for specific assistance is identified, St Benedict’s offers the services of a School Counsellor. The school runs a number of other programs throughout the year targeted to the needs of individual students. These include Zones of Regulation, Cool and Friendly (anger management) and Rock and Water.

Buddy Program

When students enrol at St Benedict’s in Kindergarten, they are supported in their transition by a buddy allocated to them from the following year’s Stage 3 class (Year 5/6). These buddies work throughout the last two terms of the pre-school year to help the new Kindergartens learn the routines of the school and settle into the life of a “big schooler”. Upon starting Kindergarten, the Stage 3 buddies continue to support the new Kindergartens’ transition.

Restorative Practice

Restorative Practices form the basis of our discipline procedures for times when students do not behave in a way that displays respect, responsibility and concern for the safety of self and others. The focus is on personal accountability and restoring the broken relationships rather than retribution and punishment. This means that we seek to help students learn from their mistakes, reconcile and resolve problems with others.  If the need arises, students attend a Reflection Room session with the Assistant Principal to discuss any behaviour issues and complete a Restorative Justice/Reflection sheet which is then sent home to parents.

Support Personnel

Learning Support Team
Students at St Benedict's are supported in their learning by a Learning Support Teacher and Learning Support Assistants. The Learning Support team works to support both the Pastoral and Academic needs of the students.

Clinical Psychologist

St Benedict's has the services of a Clinical Psychologist, provided through the Catholic Schools Office, working at the school once a week. The psychologist provides support with academic and social assessments. Recommendations are made to assist parents and teachers to cater for the ongoing educational needs of the students.