College Pastoral Care

College Pastoral Care2023-01-13T14:12:53+10:00
Pastoral care at Marist College Ashgrove extends beyond the delivery of well-prepared, thought provoking and stimulating lessons.

It means being concerned for the total wellbeing of students with the development of the whole person in mind. The philosophies underpinning pastoral care, the active pursuit of programs and practices aimed at promoting and supporting well-being and school ethos, as well as the climate and atmosphere in which students and staff learn and work, are complementary.

Through explicit philosophies, we hope to educate young men in the way of St Marcellin Champagnat so that they have the courage and confidence to develop traits like those modelled by Marcellin himself.

Pastoral care is a strong feature of the College.

The Brother Ignatius Centre, catering to the needs of boys in Years 5 and 6, is also an integral part of the College and its pastoral care structure.

It is a welcoming place where the younger students are cared for and initiated into the Marist community and its ethos. Due to their stage of development and learning needs, students in the primary school are cared for by the Head of Primary, Year 5/6 Pastoral Leader and their classroom teachers in a horizontal pastoral care model.

Pastoral care for students in Years 7–12 is provided through a vertical eight House system. This vertical approach sees the students at the College being well-known, encouraged and well-advised by their Head of House and pastoral group teachers. Each House (during pastoral group time and weekly house meetings) has its own way of encouraging active contribution in college life as well as co-operation and peer mentoring amongst the students. This builds in the boys a growing sense of belonging and ownership.

Both primary and secondary classes follow the ASH Program. The program is based on the developmental needs of each age group and incorporates evidenced based strategies from areas such as positive psychology, respectful relationships, resilience, cognitive behaviour therapy and emotional regulation to assist in the social and emotional development of students to ensure each student has opportunity to reach their learning potential.

House System

Established in the College in 1993, the House system is intended to facilitate and support quality pastoral care of all the boys. Ideally, every boy will be well known, involved, often encouraged and well advised. Upon enrolment, in the secondary school, each boy is placed in one of eight Houses. As a general rule, he will remain in that House throughout his time at Marist College Ashgrove.

Each student will be in a group of boys, drawn from each of the Years 7-12. The staff appointed to the House normally remains with that House. Heads of House and Pastoral Group Teachers are very important contacts for parents. Ideally, as students progress through the College, a partnership should develop between Pastoral Group Teachers, parents and House staff.

Counselling

As part of the Marist College Ashgrove’s ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, we have two fully registered Psychologists who provide social and emotional support to students and families.

The College Psychologists liaise closely with the Head of Students, Pastoral Leaders, Head of Boarding, Boarding Supervisors, Centre of Learning Enrichment and Teachers in the overall pastoral care of students and families.

The College Psychologists provide a variety of services including:

  • Individual counselling about personal, social, academic, emotional, behavioural and family issues. Common presenting concerns include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, changes in family structure, school stress and trauma.
  • Relationship and friendship challenges
  • Classroom observations
  • Support of Boarders
  • Consultation with key stakeholders (e.g. family, teachers, external treatment providers and medical professionals).
  • Writing and managing Personal Development programs
Making an Appointment

There are several ways to make a counselling appointment. Students or parents can email, Counsellors@marash.qld.edu.au or email an individual Counsellor. Parents can also phone us and students can come into the Wellbeing Centre to organise an appointment time. Heads of House, Boarding Coordinators and Teachers in general often refer students. Boys may also refer one of the friends if they are concerned for their Wellbeing.

Sessions with the College Psychologists remain confidential unless there is an immediate risk to students or if notes are subpoenaed by the court.

Current Thinking in Pastoral Care
Generation Next

Generation Next aims to provide education and information about the prevention and management of mental illness in young people to professionals, young people, their families and carers, and the wider community. Their objective is to raise community awareness of mental illness, its prevention and management through increasing mental health literacy, reducing associated stigma and discrimination, and positively influencing individual and community behaviour to improve mental, social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for young people, their families and communities.

To this end, Generation Next reaches out to young people, their families and carers, professionals who work with them and the wider community to seek solutions to the challenges that mental illness poses to us today both at the individual and societal levels.

Visit Generation Next Website


School TV

Marist College Ashgrove subscribes to SchoolTV, which is a world first, wellbeing platform featuring Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. It addresses the modern day realities faced by schools and parents who increasingly need clear, relevant and fact-based information around raising safe, happy and resilient young people.

Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance. SchoolTV addresses this issue. It is online resource designed to empower parents with credible, sound information with realistic and practical strategies.

Visit School TV Website

Counselling Service

As part of the Marist College Ashgrove’s ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, we have two fully registered Psychologists who provide social and emotional support to students and families.

The College Psychologists liaise closely with the Head of Students, Pastoral Leaders, Head of Boarding, Boarding Supervisors, Centre of Learning Enrichment and Teachers in the overall pastoral care of students and families.

The College Psychologists provide a variety of services including:

  • Individual counselling about personal, social, academic, emotional, behavioural and family issues. Common presenting concerns include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, changes in family structure, school stress and trauma.
  • Relationship and friendship challenges
  • Classroom observations
  • Support of Boarders
  • Consultation with key stakeholders (e.g. family, teachers, external treatment providers and medical professionals).
  • Writing and managing Personal Development programs
Making an Appointment

There are several ways to make a counselling appointment. Students or parents can email, Counsellors@marash.qld.edu.au or email an individual Counsellor. Parents can also phone us and students can come into the Wellbeing Centre to organise an appointment time. Heads of House, Boarding Coordinators and teachers in general often refer students. Boys may also refer one of their friends if they are concerned for their Wellbeing.

Sessions with the College Psychologists remain confidential unless there is an immediate risk to students or if notes are subpoenaed by the court.

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