Pastoral Care

Anti Bullying

Merici College does not tolerate bullying in any form. All members of the College community are committed to ensuring a safe and caring environment that promotes personal growth and positive self-esteem for all. This involves mutual respect for the dignity of every individual. Our policy recognises the fact that bullying and harassment can undermine our learning environment and be detrimental to the individual. Our Policy to Promote Positive Peer Relations and to Deal with Incidents of Bullying is available on our website. If parents are concerned about bullying then they are urged to contact the school.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care is the summation of the academic, social and religious dimensions of the College, giving expression to the relationships of faith, care and support which characterise its vision and practice. Pastoral Care is an expression of what we believe about the individual. What actually happens in the College follows from the belief that people are created in God’s image and likeness (Gen. 1:27), and that God’s love is freely given to all. While the Pastoral Care system operates formally through the House system it should not be seen as restricted to this program, but rather as integral to the mission of the Catholic School which aims to:

• engender well being, belonging and security
• affirm the dignity and worth of the individual
• assist in personal growth to full potential
• provide relationships of care and support
• encourage growth and expression of compassion, tolerance and reconciliation.

Defence School Mentor Program

At Merici College we have a large defence community. To accommodate the needs of our defence students, we have a Defence School Mentor, Kate Friend. Kate works Monday-Thursday and can be contacted via email (kate.friend@merici.act.edu.au or by telephone (6243 4190). DSMs are funded by the Department of Defence through Defence Members and Families Support Branch (DMFS) and employed as a member of the school staff.

Our program complements the College’s Pastoral Care program. Kate is part of our PC program and is another access point for contact. She can work with your daughter’s PC teacher in identifying opportunities for your daughter to feel that she is an important member of the school community. Kate can also provide some family access points for support for those new to Canberra.

Kate is very active in our school community and runs a number of activity groups throughout the school term. These activities are published in our fortnightly What’s On newsletter, as well as information being emailed to the students.

Please do not hesitate to contact Kate for any further information or support.
Kate.friend@merici.act.edu.au
Telephone: 02-6243 4190

In the role of DSMs, Kate assists with:

• Settling in: Transitioning into a new school can be stressful for some students. Understandably, the reasons are often not knowing anyone and having to make new friends or adjusting to a different educational system. Kate will work on helping your daughter feel that she is an important member of the school community and develop friendship and support networks as quickly as possible. Kate also supports the College Pastoral Care Program and is a key staff member for you to contact regarding specific Pastoral Care matters. Kate can provide information on educational allowances provided by the Department of Defence, should your daughter require extra tuition.
• Further Support: Kate can provide information on educational allowances provided by the Department of Defence, should your daughter require extra tuition in combination or in addition to the educational support Merici offers, including peer, homework club to name a few.
  Deployed parent/Absent from Home (courses or MWDU): Family separation affects all members of the family and young adults’ behaviour can sometimes alter as they adapt to the changes in home life. Defence students often enjoy and benefit from joining the weekly ‘Defence Catch Ups’ when they have a family member away. It reminds them of the additional support and that usually someone else at Defence Catch ups are experiencing the same situation. It is highly recommended you connect with Kate to let her know if your family has a serving member about to leave, is away or an impending return. She will contact your daughter’s teachers to let them know so that additional support can be offered if we notice any changes in behaviour.
• Posting Out: Most young adults adapt well and see moving as an adventure. Others need extra encouragement and positive thinking strategies. Kate works with students who are posting out of Canberra to farewell their current friends and talk through preparing for their new school.

Safe School and Behaviour Management

Merici College is committed to ensuring that all members of the community, particularly students, feel safe and are free from verbal and physical abuse and harassment in the school grounds, classroom and allied teaching and sporting areas. The College endorses the Principles of a Safe School (listed below) from the ACT Department of Education and Training’s Safe Schools Policy Framework.

In safe schools:

• All individuals are valued and treated with respect
• The curriculum is inclusive and supports democratic values and access and equity principles
• Students learn in a safe environment where, without intimidation, bullying or harassment by members of the school community or outsiders, they are able to achieve positive learning outcomes.
• Principals and their staff, consistent with school policy, have the authority to determine the interaction students have with outside members of the community during school hours
• Environments reflect the values of the school community and those of a democratic culturally diverse society
• School staff have the right to expect that they will be professionally supported to teach and work in an orderly and cooperative environment
• Principals and staff have an obligation to fairly, reasonably and consistently implement a range of provisions from positive prevention to intensive intervention. Departmental and school policies will contribute to a safe school environment and will comply with relevant legislation, and
• Schools are accountable for monitoring and evaluating educational practice which will encourage a safe environment through the School Development Planning and Review process

Within the parameters of the Safe Schools Framework, Pastoral Care and behaviour management at Merici are closely linked, as both aim to promote a respectful, secure and healthy environment for all members of the college community. At Merici College, our approach is based on Glasser principles (PDF 69KB) and where possible we encourage staff to undertake formal PD in this area and to incorporate the principles into their dealings on all levels with students.

The aims of disciplinary procedures in the college are to ensure the welfare and good order of the community and to encourage the development of responsible behaviour in students.

Students, parents and teachers should have a clear understanding of what is expected of members of the college community. The Behaviour Management Flowchart sets out the process to be followed in serious cases of behaviour problems. Students should also be aware of the consequences of irresponsible behaviour. The Behaviour Management Flowchart supports staff in the management of students and to provide consistency in approaches to and consequences for irresponsible behaviour.

Please note that this school does not use corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is not allowed in ACT schools.

Student Leadership Opportunities and Training

Merici has numerous opportunities for student leadership in both formal and informal ways. The vertical pastoral care system provides a natural environment for students to exercise leadership in mentoring younger students and allows them to develop leadership skills through the daily functioning of each Pastoral Care class. In addition to this, senior students are encouraged to be part of their House Executive to assist the House Coordinator and support their Captain and Vice-Captain.

Other informal leadership opportunities emerge through extra-curricular activities at the College where students are encouraged to take a leading role eg through coaching and organisation of sports and representing the College.

In addition to these informal opportunities, formal structures are in place for student leadership. Students from Years 7-12 may nominate for the position of SRC representative and elected leaders are trained and mentored by the SRC Facilitator, attending regular meetings and initiating projects and addressing issues suggested by the student body.

The senior student College Leaders are elected each year by their peers and College staff, following a nomination process.

Inclusive Education

Philosophy

Merici College believes that all students can learn and acknowledges different learning styles. We encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and we attempt to develop enthusiasm, enjoyment and love of learning.

We recognise that within the College community there will be some students with special learning needs, who will need extra support to enable them to achieve to the best of their ability. ESP (Educational Success Program) is a multi-faceted approach to supporting students with their learning.

The Learning Support Team at Merici offers support to students with sensory, physical or intellectual disabilities. These fall into the following categories:

Students with disability

Students with a disability: as identified by the Catholic Education Office (as required by the Australian Government definition) are offered:

These students are offered:

• Individual learning plans
• Appropriately modified content
• Appropriate teacher and/or classroom support using Learning Support Teacher Assistants

Students with identified learning difficulties

Difficulties may have been identified through:

Entry testing, information from parents and teachers, NAPLAN results. Support is offered to these students through a range of the following:

• Differentiated curriculum
• Peer tutoring programs
• Classroom support through Learning Support Assistants
• Targeted tutoring programs

The levels of support offered to such students include:

• Support in class by Teacher Assistants
• Support for teachers, including discussion of suitable strategies to support particular students
• Modification of learning outcomes, class work and assessment tasks to suit individual students

Other Avenues of Support

THE hUb

The hUb is available Thursday and Friday to Senior students and for students in Years 7 -10 by arrangement with class teachers. If you would like more information please contact Karen Evans, Inclusive Education Coordinator on telephone 6243 4153 or email karen.evans@merici.act.edu.au.

The Homework Centre in the iC

The Homework Centre operates in the iC (Library) after school Monday through to Thursday, 3.30pm – 4.30pm. It is facilitated and staffed by members of the Inclusive Education team. There is no cost involved and it is free service in which any student can participate.Students can receive assistance undertaking assignments, locating resources or simply working on their own tasks. For information on the Homework Centre please click here Homework Centre Information 2014. If you would like more information please contact Karen Evans, Inclusive Education Coordinator on telephone 6243 4153 or email karen.evans@merici.act.edu.au.

Cross Age Tutoring

Cross age tutoring is available from students in Years 11 and 12 for students in the junior years. Senior students are paired with junior students according to academic interests and needs. Students may meet before school, at lunch time or after school. Please click here Cross-age Tutoring Information and Application Form for Parents to find more information and the application form for parents to complete.

Enrolment Policy

Funded students with recognised disabilities are required to have a panel meeting to determine their level of need. The panel consists of:

• The Principal
• A representative from the CEO Learning Support Team
• The Learning Support Teacher
• Parent/s and child
• Other professionals if required

Important Contacts

If you have any questions or concerns at all regarding your daughter’s needs please do not hesitate to contact Anna Masters, Principal on telephone 6243 4100.