At Gilson College, we work together to ensure students are happy and secure in all aspects of school life.
Teaching and non-teaching staff are all part of the Pastoral Care Team. Pastoral Care is supported by, but not the sole responsibility of the Chaplain and Welfare Coordinator, Learning Support Coordinator, Head of Primary and Deputy Head of Primary, Head of Secondary and Deputy Head of Secondary. This team strives to ensure students are happy and secure in whatever activity they are taking part in, whether social, spiritual, mental, emotional or physical. We have a caring commitment to guide and advise our students to equip them with the skills needed to face the outside world.
Parents are always welcome and are encouraged to contact their child’s homeroom/class teacher, Year Level Leader, Learning Support Coordinator, Wellbeing Coordinator, Deputy HOP and HOS, Chaplain, Head of Primary or Head of Secondary if they have any concerns or worries. The school also has designated Child Safety Officers who deal with any child protection issues. These are the Heads of Campus and Heads of School.
Our staff meet regularly to discuss and review Pastoral Care practices. The opinions of parents and students are always valued to ensure procedures and practices are relevant.
Some of the Pastoral Care features include but are not limited to are:
PB4L Team - Meets regularly to discuss support and interventions for students.
Season For Growth - Provides opportunities for students to learn the knowledge skills and attitudes required to understand and respond well to loss and change.
Lunchtime Clubs - Students can select to go to a lunch club each lunchtime (art, games, STEM, social Thinking, writing, gardening, sewing) Clubs provide another alternative play option for students to connect with other students and learn new skills.
Student Wellbeing Team - Provides support and opportunities for social-emotional well-being through linking students with support services (counselling) as well as prevention training relating to child and adolescent issues e.g. Bravehearts, Power of Me, Healthy relationships and Consent.
Social Thinking Curriculum - Provides language and supports for a student to understand themselves and others including regulation of their emotions e.g. zone of regulations, whole body listening, social thinking curriculum and learning.
Learning Support Team - Provides support for students and advice and support for staff and parents through, training, creation of Individual Education Plans as well as recommendations for working with a diverse range of learning needs including extension opportunities. The team has access to external support such as speech therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists.