Student Wellbeing

The Wellbeing team at Springbank provides student wellbeing support through a Student Wellbeing Leader, a Pastoral Care Worker, structured care group and case management, INSPIRE mentors, and the Rock and Water program.

The Student Wellbeing Leader at Springbank Secondary College supports students and carers throughout their time as part of the school community. Student wellbeing is a significant priority and the school is committed to nurturing effective partnerships between students, staff and carers. The Student Wellbeing Leader addresses the social and emotional wellbeing of students by implementing proactive strategies to inform, educate and empower young people to take responsibility for their emotional, social and physical health.

The school community is also supported by a Pastoral Care Worker (PCW) whose four main tasks are pastoral duties; being a resource person; having a referral role and being a good role model.

Care group teachers support a group of students with whom they meet daily, get to know well as individuals, and assist in promoting self-esteem, respect, confidence and social relationships. They also manage daily administration tasks such as attendance data and plan and provide Pathways to Success the personal development course.

Pathways to Success (P2S) is a significant year 8-12 Pastoral Care program. It is delivered weekly in a block of 60 minutes. The program provides an opportunity in the curriculum for the explicit teaching of skills that underpin lifelong learning. It also builds positive relationships, develops a sense of community within and beyond the school and fosters a higher sense of self and motivation to achieve.

Pathways to Success is based on the set of values that have been identified as important by our school community (Respect, Integrity, Excellence). The program includes Department for Education mandated curriculum such as Protective Behaviours, Bullying and Harassment Education, Drug Education, Street Smart and Safe Driver Education, while numerous opportunities exist for career and transition from school planning. The Sexual Health and Relationships education undertaken in this program is based on the SHineSA endorsed curriculum and as a SHineSA school, Springbank Secondary College has access to the latest information and strategies in curriculum delivery available within this important area.

The program is based on a philosophy that positive relationships underpin effective partnerships with the community, parents and students. The program allows us to focus on students, both their individual and group needs, and we are able to initiate successful interventions and supports when required. Each year level has a curriculum that meets the developmental needs of the students and builds skills and knowledge over time.

Schools Ministry Group

The Schools Ministry Group (SMG) was set up by the Heads of Churches to oversee and support Christian Ministry in Government schools. The Group consists of representatives from all the major Christian Churches and Para Church organisations. SMG is responsible for developing policy, giving pastoral and resource support to over 300 Pastoral Care Workers, (PCWs) liaising with schools and churches about programs and organising ‘In Service’ training for PCWs in South Australia.

A PCW has special skills for working in partnership with students, staff, parents and local church communities. The PCW is jointly accountable to the local churches through Colonel Light Gardens and District Inter-Church Council (ICC) and the Department for Education, through the school Principal.

What does a Pastoral Care Worker (PCW) do?

• Is available to students as a listener, friend and pastoral support
• Works in co-operation with the Leadership Team
• Provides support for families in time of need
• Promote and support Christian Option seminars with the local ICC
• Is a support, resource and referral person for teachers
• Plans events and activities to support school programs
• Works with others in the community to develop and advertise services, programs and strategies that meet the needs of young people living in the area

The PCW is available as a support person for the school community.  As a resource person they have contact with people in various ways, e.g. support for “Pathways to Success”, Student Representative Council (SRC), lunchtime activities and other programs.

PCWs are employed by SMG (Schools Ministry Group) through the Federal Government’s National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program with the support of the Colonel Light Gardens and District Inter-Church Council.

A few fact about Pastoral Care Workers

PCWs are not in the school to evangelise on behalf of a particular faith group. They respect the secular character of the government school. The PCW is primarily a service of pastoral care, available to students and staff who want it. PCWs are of course, as entitled as anyone else to speak of their personal beliefs when asked by students in voluntary situations, yet the initiative rests with the inquirer and they are there to support not instruct. A PCWs primary clients are students and staff; however they are available to families and the wider school community.