These principles were developed, as part of our core documentation, “Quality Teaching and Quality Learning” in the first year of the school’s opening and continue to be relevant to our current practices.

  1. Quality learning is most likely to occur when students appreciate, respect and care for the concerns, views and feelings of others. Therefore, as a mandatory provision within our Pastoral Care Policy, we will:
    • ensure that each class/team develops positive statements to complete the sentence, “We are Nurturing Disciples when we…” to define acceptable class behaviour
    • encourage each community member to address others by name
    • introduce and apply a school’s Code of Behaviour based upon the rights and responsibilities of individuals and the consequent privileges and consequences.
  2. Bases of Discretion within this area include:
    • acknowledging significant personal events through assemblies, newsletters, class prayers and other appropriate, inclusive and equitable means
    • providing and encouraging the use of a prayer book in the school’s foyer for use by the school community.
  3. Quality learning is most likely to occur when students know that their family and community members are welcome in the school. Therefore, as a mandatory provision within our Pastoral Care Policy, we will:
    • ensure that the physical environment reflects a positive, warm and well-maintained ambience
    • annually devise and revise a parent education program to educate parents about their child’s learning
    • empower all volunteers through appropriate training.
  4. Bases of Discretion within this area include:
    • providing opportunities for appropriate community involvement in the life of the school
    • providing opportunities to induct new community members into the story of Good Shepherd
    • ensuring that the physical environment is conducive to welcoming community members with special needs.
  5. Quality learning is most likely to occur when students are able to discuss issues which underpin our democracy and relate it to their own lives. Therefore, as a mandatory provision within our Pastoral Care Policy, we will:
    • ensure that neither age nor gender will define responsibilities of community members.
  6. Bases of Discretion within this area include:
    • recognising and supporting local and wider community issues as appropriate.
  7. Quality learning is most likely to occur when students are able to develop positive relationships with teachers, students and other adults. Therefore, as a mandatory provision within our Pastoral Care Policy, we will:
    • speak positively and constructively about each individual community member;
    • engage in opportunities that reflect partnership with parish, children and parents
    • implement and develop structures that will support others (e.g. team structures).
  8. Quality teaching is characterised by teachers, who develop ethical relationships based on good communication skills and respect for all students as individuals, and expect respect in return. Therefore, as a mandatory provision within our Pastoral Care Policy, we will:
    • ensure that our actions reflect the spirit of the Child Protection Guidelines
    • approach appropriate persons to avail of opportunities to discuss matters or issues of concern
    • discuss issues with students about matters concerning their academic, social, spiritual, emotional and physical growth.
  9. Quality teaching is characterised by teachers who  believe in the ability of all students to learn, expect all students to learn and convey this expectation to individuals, the class and the community. Therefore, as a mandatory provision within our Pastoral Care Policy, we will:
    • adopt practices that recognise the strengths of individuals, encouraging each person to strive to realise his/her full potential
    • ensure that all the significant parties to each child’s learning (parent/s, child and teacher) will come together at least once each year to celebrate and recognise each child’s learning and achievements, through Half Yearly Interviews.
  10. Bases of Discretion, within this area, include:
    • recognising each person’s achievements at that person’s discretion.
  11. Quality teaching is characterised by teachers who actively engage students in learning experiences which deals with issues which the students regard as important to their lives. Therefore, as a mandatory provision within our Pastoral Care Policy, we will:
    • implement programs which address the academic, social, spiritual, emotional and physical needs of each child (eg ‘Seasons’, ‘STAR’, School Counselling.
  12. Bases of Discretion, within this area, include:
    • training nominated teachers to implement appropriate programs as required
    • encouraging caregivers to take advantage of nominated programs when offered through the newsletter.