Pastoral Care
As a Catholic school, St Joseph’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. St Joseph's is focussed 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 Making Jesus Real school – using this framework as a basis for student wellbeing. The Making Jesus Real framework is centred on the belief that we are the image of Jesus to all people around us. We are His representatives and our actions should reflect His values. Jesus also made the comment that we are part of His family and that the ways we treat others should be reflective of the way we would treat Jesus.
Values that children develop and practice as part of the Making Jesus Real framework are:
- Showing care and compassion
- Respect
- Honesty
- Trustworthiness
- Understanding
- Tolerance
- Inclusion
These values encourage students to do their best, treat others fairly, be responsible for their actions, follow principles of moral and ethical conduct and to stand up for the rights of others.
At St Joseph’s Primary School, Gloucester, our focus is for everyone to be a Welcome – Encourage – Sorry and Thanks (W.E.S.T) person and to achieve this we have five areas of focus each week to help us be more like Jesus.
Good Morning Monday
Thanking Tuesday
Winking Wednesday
Thumbs Up Thursday
High Five Friday
St Joseph’s Gloucester has the support of a Pastoral Care Worker working in the school 2.5 days each week. Our Pastoral Care Worker oversees the work of our Mini Vinnies students and assists with providing emotional and social support to students and their families in time of need. Our Pastoral Care Worker also organises lunch time activities for students to participate in including cooking, dancing, lunch time sports and craft activities.
Buddy Program
When students enrol at St Joseph’s in Kindergarten, they are supported in their transition by a buddy allocated to them from the following year’s Stage 3 students - Years 5 and 6. These buddies work throughout the last two terms of the pre-school year to help the new Kinders learn the routines of the school and settle in the life of a “big schooler”.
Support Personnel
Learning Support Team
Students at St Joseph's Primary School, Gloucester are supported in their learning by a Learning Support Teacher and Learning Support Assistant. The Learning Support team work to support both the pastoral and academic needs of the students.
Clinical Psychologist
St Joseph's has the services of a Clinical Psychologist, provided through the Catholic Schools Office, working at the school. 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.