Compass Toggle Menu
Wellbeing

Wellbeing

  1. Home
    2. »
  2. Wellbeing

St. Benedict’s dictum that

“A School of the Lord’s Service… should be…

a place where there is something to strive for and nothing to run from”

is at the heart of the College’s Wellbeing programme. Allard’s (2002) model of school wellbeing captures areas of College life that are our focus.

At St. Benedict’s, student wellbeing is at the heart of what we do. The wellbeing of our students is fundamental to our journey and we achieve this in many different ways.  

Firstly, we follow the PB4L (Positive Behaviours For Learning) model from the Catholic Education Office. This PB4L model gives clear and attainable behavioural model to our students which in turn allows for the fulfilment of educational outcomes and for students to be given the chance to learn to their best of their abilities. 

Secondly, we have our pastoral care program. At St. Benedict’s, this is called STRIVE (Spirituality, True Accomplishment, Relationships, Involvement, Vitality Emotions). Each day, students will have a 20 minute STRIVE lesson where they will be given the opportunity to engage with their peers on cohort specific and age appropriate pastoral care material, whilst also having the chance to be guided through a coaching session with their STRIVE coach. This session will occur each term and gives each student the opportunity to determine their wellbeing and learning goals. These conversations will be personal, student specific, and guided by realistic and achievable goals. 

STRIVE

The STRIVE program builds on the belief that students will achieve their best growth and learning when they are able to flourish in an environment promoting individual care. At St Benedict’s, this care program focuses on the academic as well as personal and wellbeing goals for the students and STRIVE coaches aim to develop this within students by discussing their character strengths and helping/challenging students in setting achievable goals. Each student is placed into a STRIVE class that meet each day.  

Throughout the year, the STRIVE coaches meet regularly with the students in their care to discuss their character strengths and to set individual goals. These goals may be academic, social, emotional, community-based or any number of other areas where the student wishes to improve. After discussion with their coach, these goals will be written up by the student and their progress regularly checked to assess their successes. The STRIVE coach will also record these on Compass.  

Students’ achievements will be rewarded through ‘Strength spotting’ entries on Compass and personal recognition with the student, as well as recording their ‘personal bests’. Each of these areas leads through a pathway enabling students to gain certificates and badges acknowledging their successes.  

The STRIVE program assists students in developing personal responsibility by specifying goals and rewarding achievements. Students will use their diary, Compass platform and activities during STRIVE lessons to assist in organising and recording their achievements. 

Student Leadership

It is easy to recognise a student of St. Benedict’s Catholic College.  

  • They approach their work with perseverance, even when the path ahead seems challenging. 
  • They are resilient. Showing a capacity to “bounce back” when faced with academic set backs and disappointments more generally 
  • They approach their work with a sense of curiosity 

A St. Benedict’s student approaches leadership using Christ’s model of Servant Leadership and a sense of humility in true Benedictine fashion.

A St Benedict’s student approaches their dealings with others with integrity and honesty.

St Benedict’s students show leadership in all their interactions. They represent themselves in a manner that demonstrates leadership. They are good role models, and show a clear understanding of how their actions directly and indirectly influence others. As leaders they assist others, show empathy, and recognise the extent of their influence.  

At St. Benedict’s students are given opportunities from Year 7 to show leadership within their House (Dharawal, Hildegard, Ingham, MacKillop, Norcia, Polding) through to Year 12 leadership and College Captains.

Counselling Services

CatholicCare School, Student and Family Program (SSFP) counsellors promote the wellbeing and development of students and work with them, their families and school staff. CatholicCare offers a professional and confidential counselling service. 

St Benedict’s Catholic College counsellor can be contacted directly at the College or through the Year Co-ordinators. For other services (including parent courses) provided by CatholicCare please click on the link below.  

Stage 4 at St Benedict’s Catholic College is focused on supporting students in making a successful transition from primary school and introducing and reinforcing the College’s values of Love of Neighbour, Love of Learning and Love of God. Students in Years 7 and 8, are confronted with many new challenges, as they are now part of a much bigger school community. It is an opportunity for personal growth and development, building positive relationships and resilience, and establishing positive learning behaviours such as time management, organisational skills, and assessment planning. We endeavour to create an environment of learning and growth for each student whilst nurturing their social, emotional and spiritual development.

All students in Years 7 & 8 study a range of subjects that are mandated by the Board of Studies, including Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Personal Development/Health & Physical Education, Art (Year 7), Music (Year 8), Design & Technology and Language- Spanish (Year 8).

In Stage 4, students are organised into STRIVE groups, where they meet their Strive coach every day. It is during this time that students learn about their character strengths and valuable lifelong skills while having the opportunity to have meaningful discussions with their STRIVE coach, about specific learning issues and pastoral concerns as well. Also a series of pastoral initiatives and focuses run during year meetings, which deal with a range of well-being issues such as developing resilience, body image, internet, and social networking safety.

Other features of Stage 4 include:

  • Year 7 Orientation Day
  • Year 7 MacBook Notebook Boot Camp
  • Year 7 Outdoor Education Camp
  • Year 8 Subject Selection for Stage 5
  • Year 8 are given the opportunity to run for leadership positions for Stage 5
  • Year 7 and Year 8 students also experience an annual Reflection Day and attend a number of out-of-school trips and excursions, designed to enhance classroom learning and physical, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing.
  • Year 7 and Year 8 students are also invited to trial and represent the college in an array of competitive sports at a local and diocesan level, by competing in MISA competitions, College Carnivals, and Diocesan representative sports.

By the end of this stage, our mission is to have built a strong development in character strengths, interpersonal skills and self awareness in order to allow these students to flourish in the middle years where leadership opportunities occur.