Pastoral Care
The Cathedral School has a strong pastoral care system which is responsible for the strong sense of community and belonging at the School. Staff have a responsibility to ensure a safe, happy environment which demonstrates compassion, courtesy and care for others.
Junior School
In the Junior School, the class teachers are responsible for the pastoral needs of their students with the Head of Junior School available to assist class teachers, parents and students. The School also has an extensive after-school and holiday-care program. This provides junior students with specialist care for parents wishing to leave their children with the School for longer periods. The programme commences at 7.00am. and concludes at 6.00pm.
Middle School
To provide continuity and stability during the adolescent years, students in the Middle School are placed in class groups with key teachers who teach across two or more subject areas. One of these key teachers is the Class Tutor, who has the overall responsibility for pastoral care of this group of students The tutor has daily contact with the children, and is in the best position to provide support and guidance as needed. Communication with parents is also a key part of the tutor's role. Tutors are supported by the Year Level Coordinators and Dean of Students in the Middle School.
Buddy System
New students, especially Year 7s, are assigned a buddy when they arrive at school. This buddy helps them find their way around and settle in to their new environment. The Year 12's make a special effort to make the new Year 7s in the house feel welcome, and arrange a number of Buddy Activities throughout the year, such as games sessions, barbecues, sports tuition, and generally encouraging them to become involved in House and School events.
Senior School
Care of students in the Senior School is based on a House system. The House Tutor plays a significant role in the social and academic development of the students. The House Deans are responsible for the overall pastoral care of all students in their Houses and assist the Tutors when required. The House system also forms the basis for many of the social and sporting activities and students identify strongly with their House.
Tutor Groups
The basis of the pastoral care system in the Senior School is the Tutor Group. Each House is divided into five tutor groups, which each include five or six students from each of Years 10, 11, and 12. This structure ensures a sense of belonging, familiarity and continuity . This vertical grouping also allows the tutor (a staff member) to get to know each student and their parents very well as the student/tutor relationship normally lasts for three years.
