Senior School - Pastoral Care Years 11-12
Radford places considerable emphasis upon pastoral care. The College is an orderly place, where good manners are observed and where self-discipline and individual responsibility are emphasized. The relationship between staff and students is based on mutual respect.
In order for each student to enjoy a sense of belonging and connectedness as well as enjoying opportunities to be themselves at their best, the College has developed the following elaboration of one of its aims to foster personal and social development. Each student will:
- develop self-esteem and confidence;
- learn self-discipline and accept responsibility for their actions;
- participate confidently in group and team activities;
- become active members of the local and wider community; and
- be able to adapt to the challenges of a changing world.
Pastoral Care in Senior School
Pastoral care in Senior School (Years 11 to 12) is within the Tutor Group (20-23 students). The Tutor is responsible for the general oversight and care of the students in that Group. Areas of responsibility include such matters as academic progress, social adjustment, attendance, and contact with parents. Tutors meet with their pastoral care groups on a daily basis. Coordination of the pastoral care system is provided by Year Coordinators so as to provide a general consistency and a framework for the discipline and pastoral care of students.
The Role of:
1. Tutor
The Tutor is the student's counsellor, friend, conscience and mentor. The Tutor:
- monitors attendance, conduct, appearance, homework and progress;
- counsels (advises/motivates) students regarding program choices, progress and general welfare;
- consults subject teachers on individual student progress, conduct and welfare;
- communicates with home regarding student programs, performance, welfare, problems, etc.;
- advises Principal, Deputy Principal and Year Coordinator on problems and special circumstances with respect to individual students; and
- refers students to Principal, Deputy Principal and Year Coordinator for further action.
2. Year Coordinator
The Year Coordinator oversees the entire year group. It is their job to develop positive morale in the teachers and students in the year level and to foster and maintain an atmosphere of genuine pastoral care of all the students.
3. Tutor Group
Each tutor group consists of about 20-23 students from the same year level. There are approximately equal numbers of boys and girls in each tutor group. They meet as a group at least three times per week, with the Tutor. All members of the group get to know each other very well and participate in any school and social activities together. In Senior School, students are divided into house groups.
4. Prefects
The prefects at Radford stand as a clear example of what the School represents. They are the student leaders and act as role models for all students. They have a lot to do with the junior levels. They are involved in the Year 7 orientation program, and are an integral part of Year 7 Camp. They also visit Year 7 and 8 Tutor Groups once per week and provide advice and assistance to the younger students.
5. Counsellors
School Counsellors work to provide accessible and professional psychological services to young people in schools. The Radford School Counsellor is a qualified psychologist and has a special interest in young people and their issues.
People seeing the School Counsellor can expect a confidential service. The kind of issues a School Counsellor might help with include:
- relationships with friends or family
- peer pressure
- self-esteem
- stress management
- learning issues
- if you are feeling overly sad or anxious
- if you have questions about sexuality
- drug involvement
Camps, Retreats and Programs
The College believes that there is much to be gained, socially and educationally from a well-organised program of Outdoor Education. There are many available models to choose from and Radford has opted for an introductory program in Year 7 and a more extensive program in Year 9. Opportunities for outdoor activities and adventure learning are also provided in the cocurricular program.
Year 11 Retreat
At the start of Year 11, each tutor group spends two days 'in retreat'. Students are involved in a fairly intensive program of activities geared towards preparation for Years 11 and 12 and building group cohesiveness.
Prefects Retreat
At the beginning of the year, before school commences, the Prefects attend a two-day leadership training camp. This prepares them for their role as school leaders and bonds them into a cohesive group.
House Captains Retreat - At the beginning of the year the House Captains and Vice Captains attend a leadership training camp to prepare them for their roles.
"Get Set" Program
This program involves the matching of senior students with middle school students to assist them with organisation, motivation and coordination of schoolwork. The senior mentors undergo a training program at the beginning of the year and are then matched to a junior student in need of support. The two meet once per week during tutor period.
Sporting Houses
The student body is divided into eight houses with approximately 120 students in each House. These Houses are called Acacia, Banksia, Boronia, Huon, Jarrah, Karri, Kurrajong and Wandoo after Australian native plants.
Students are allocated to a sporting House to which they belong for the duration of their lives at Radford College, with family members normally allocated to the same House. The House Masters and House Mistresses are responsible for the administration of the House, assisted by House Captains and Vice Captains elected by students.
The eight Houses compete annually in the four major competitions: Swimming, Cross-Country, Athletics and the Bishop's Cup, which is held on Foundation Day each year.