Growth and Nurture - Pastoral Care at St Mary's
Education is about growth and nurture - of the whole individual, not just of the intellect. In fact it is difficult for the intellect to flourish if the emotional and spiritual elements of individuals are not nurtured, if their physical, personal and social development is not also fostered. In this age of rapidly developing technology we are often reminded of how important it is that we are not left standing on the roadside of the Information Super Highway. However, I believe that it is also important to be reminded (in the words of Professor Judith Sloan of FlindersUniversity) that "information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom or judgement." It is the pastoral care system within a school that is integral to the development of the whole individual, and to the development of that wisdom and judgement.
The St Mary’s pastoral care system is based on the foundation of the school's philosophy that each girl is known and nurtured as an individual. The strength and uniqueness of the system lies in our vertically integrated and House-based tutorial groups in the care of a tutor. These vertical groups are known as Links, or Link groups, and the teachers are Link teachers. Each girl remains with the same Link teacher throughout her years at St Mary's.
The name Link was chosen because of all that it represents in terms of bringing people together. Links, or bonds, between individuals are established through close communication, and help to satisfy our need for security and a sense of belonging, in this case, within the community of St Mary's. Within this secure environment, perhaps paradoxically, each girl has the freedom and the space to explore new challenges, to grow towards the complete person she will eventually become.
Other key members of the pastoral care team are the Year Teachers who are responsible for looking after the interests, progress and concerns of all the students within a particular year group. As an important point of reference for the Link teachers and other staff members, as well as for students and parents, the Year Teachers are a valuable source of information and advice. In addition for the students, they provide a clear, strong focus for individuals and the year group as a whole.
Link teachers meet with their groups every day. On each of our six-day cycle, Links operate for ten minutes each morning. Once per cycle, a twenty minute Link period is held before lunch. This regular, frequent contact helps the teachers get to know the members of their groups quickly. It also brings an increased awareness of the students' progress and involvement in school life, and more immediate recognition of possible problems and causes for concern.
The Link groups also provide opportunities for informal interaction between students of the same year group and from different year groups, to foster the development of tolerance and of positive caring relationships, and to discourage the development of conflict.
St Mary's is a caring school. There is a long-established tradition of wanting the best for each girl who is a member of the school community and who is facing all the challenges of life in the twenty first century.
Ms Joan Karmelita
Dean of Students