Positive wellbeing is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn, develop and thrive at school.

We know that when students feel supported, they are more engaged with their learning.

At Sydney Catholic Schools, we commit to providing safe, supportive and inclusive environments which nurture the wellbeing of all students and staff in our community.

Our student wellbeing policy is underpinned by the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework. The framework recognises five elements that are key to supporting the whole school community to build and maintain safe, positive relationships and wellbeing: leadership, inclusion, student voice, partnerships and support.

This is complemented by the Be You Framework, a national initiative for educators aimed at promoting and protecting positive mental health in children and young people. The integration of both frameworks supports our school communities to provide every student with the strongest foundation possible for them to reach their aspirations in learning and in life.

We have a systemic approach to wellbeing and positive behaviour with tiers of support to meet the diverse needs of staff, students and families. The offerings range from whole school initiatives, actively seeking student voice, system policies on anti-bullying, student counselling, staff training in student wellbeing, along with targeted interventions for students with complex social and emotional needs.

At De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah, the guiding principles and the vision statement of our system of schools, highlight the need to provide a safe and supportive environment for students. As Lasallians and as part of a system of schools that proudly declares a special consideration for each individual and the development of the whole person, we are bound to provide for this.

Our pastoral care policy provides a tangible link between contemporary society and the messages of the Gospel. It encourages the development of Christian values and, in doing so, adds to the personal and moral development of our students.

The College Pastoral Care Policy aims to:

  • Support the shared responsibility of all members of the community in the care for all;
  • Develop a sense of judgement, moral and social responsibility, and self-discipline;
  • Encourage the involvement of students and parents;
  • Motivate personal achievement, dignity, self esteem, and happiness of individuals;
  • Create a sense of belonging, of pride, and an environment of justice; and
  • Create a solution-based (proactive) rather than problem-based (reactive) ethos.

Pastoral care at De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah is organised through:

  • A structured program of positive reinforcement with rewards, recognition, and esteem-building.
  • A management system that supports self-development and avoids belittling students
  • A support network of Leaders of Wellbeing, Homeroom teachers, College Counsellor and the College Leadership Team.
  • Orientation programmes for new staff, new students, and parents.
  • The involvement of local clergy.
  • Student participation in organised activities, community service, and charity.
  • Regular pastoral assemblies and year meetings.
  • Parental involvement through social events, information evenings, newsletters, interim reports, school functions and parent / teacher nights.
  • The spiritual development of staff, students and parents.
  • The ongoing review of all aspects of student care built into our strategic development plans.

  • Regular Leader of Wellbeing meetings to agenda student issues chaired by the Assistant Principal.
  • Raising of significant student issues, both positive and negative, at staff meetings.
  • Public recognition of student achievements in assemblies, newsletters and yearbook.
  • Recording of misdemeanours (demerits) & good effort (merits) in Compass, with regular checks by Homeroom Teachers and Leaders of Wellbeing.
  • Regular updating of student diaries to improve their usefulness and effectiveness.
  • Discretionary involvement of outside agencies;
    • The ‘Star Team’ for “at-risk” students.
    • Specialist facilitator for conferencing of difficult student behaviours.

The college has a full-time school psychologist / counsellor who works in collaboration with the pastoral care team. The team includes a support network of the Homeroom Teachers, Leaders of Wellbeing and the College Leadership Team. Their main role is to work together to support students with academic, emotional or behavioural needs or concerns that impact upon their wellbeing, and therefore their learning at the college.

Referrals can be made from within the staff pastoral network, from parents or from the students themselves.

Anti-bullying policy

Sydney Catholic Schools rejects all forms of bullying behaviours, including online (or cyber) bullying, by maintaining a commitment to providing safe, inclusive and respectful learning communities that promote student wellbeing for learning. Staff at Sydney Catholic Schools are committed to employing wellbeing strategies that allow for a healthy school environment where bullying is less likely to occur.

If your child is experiencing bullying of any kind, or you have a wellbeing concern, we have a number of support services available for parents/carers and students, as listed below.

Support services: