Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is a distinctive cultural characteristic of a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition and, accordingly, is a fundamental part of St Laurence’s College. The welfare of the boys is paramount in our school.
St Laurence’s College ethos fosters a school which allows boys to follow their studies with purpose and confidence, and which promotes their full human growth. Consequently, great value is placed on maintaining suitable classroom environments which are conducive to learning. The school has high expectations of student behaviour in all situations, expectations which aim to promote a high degree of self-discipline within the students. Expectations concerning dress, appearance, attendance and punctuality and general good conduct are aimed at enhancing self-confidence, self-esteem and good habits for later life.
In the Primary, Pastoral Care is the responsibility of the Dean of Primary and the Primary Home Class Teachers. Overall responsibility for Pastoral Care in the Secondary rests with the Dean of Pastoral. Each boy progresses through the Secondary under the guidance of a Head of Year and a Home Class Teacher who is responsible for a smaller group of students. The Deans, Heads of Year and Home Class Teachers take a special interest in each boy’s academic and general progress. They are also there to praise and record any particular success or achievement. The Home Class group is the basic pastoral and administrative unit of the school.
The Student Handbook provides a ready means of communication between parents and teachers and provides many of the policies and procedures for the day-to-day running of the school.
A Peer Support Program operates between Senior students and Years 5 to Year 8 helping to assist the younger students in settling into the school. In Senior, boys have the opportunity to aspire to formal leadership roles in the school. Further, all Seniors act as “Big Brothers” to assist new students adjust to life at the College.
The College also employs counselling staff and has partnerships with specialist counselling services off site to assist students and families. Informal counselling is undertaken by members of staff who relate to students in various capacities.