Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Programs

Pastoral Care promotes and enhances the personal, social, mental and spiritual wellbeing of young people which is a central focus of our Catholic identity. Not only do confident, resilient young people with a capacity for emotional intelligence perform better academically, these skills can also contribute to the creation of strong social bonds and supportive communities, and the maintenance of healthy relationships and responsible lifestyles.

At Tenison Woods College, we utilise evidence-based wellbeing programs in Positive Psychology utilising the PERMA+ framework which is depicted through our SHINE+ motto; Success, Helping, Involved, Name, Emotions, '+' (knowing your God).  Our staff are trained in trauma informed, positive psychology practices delivered by our partner Life Buoyancy Institute. Our programs also embed the Child Protection Curriculum; Keeping Safe: Protective Practices and Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse + Neglect.

Kimochis® (Kimochi means 'feeling' in Japanese) is a social-emotional learning program that teaches children real-life skills, such as how to identify and express their emotions, self-control, problem solving, and communication.

Each character has a unique temperament and personality. They are accompanied by plush feelings that help them to build their emotional vocabulary.

During each session, teachers will focus on the Kimochis® Keys to Communication tools to help your child learn how to speak in a respectful and responsible way and listen openly.

Neuromotor readiness for learning aims to improve immature motor skills and posture instability. Research has shown a direct correlation of immature motor skills and education achievement. The developmental program utilises exercises focusing on balance, coordination, retained primitive reflexes. 

As the leaders of the Junior School, Year 6 students engage in an eight week program where our female and male students undertake specifically designed leadership programs utilising Girl Power and Rock & Water programs. Students learn their strengths and how to ground themselves to grow their confidence to respond to situations.

Our Middle School Pastoral Care program utilises the SHINE+ motto in programs purposely catering for the needs of each of Middle School students and their developmental stages. The Pastoral Care lessons each week also support Year 7 and 8 students with their transition into high school by supporting goal setting and organisation.

Pastoral Care is incorporated into the 9SHINE program which is a purposely intergrated subject including Health and Physical Education and Outdoor Education which supports the needs of Year 9 students.

Students also engage in the Youth Encounter alcohol and other drug education online program mapped to the Australian Curriculum and the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum. The interactive exact research-based online learning platform consists of content, graphics, short videos and downloadable PDFs for each student.

Big Life Journal evidence-based resources are utilised in order to grow students self-esteem, resilience, love of learning and the ability to take on challenges. The engaging resources also help students to set goals with a growth mindset, learn from mistakes and focus on solutions rather than problems.

Year 8 students participate in an eight-week course in gender specific classes. Females student complete ‘The Becoming A Woman’ life matter course and the males the ‘A Blueprint To Becoming A Man’. The topics include: Gender stereotypes / Leadership / Mental Health / Relationships / Body Image / Purpose.

Through presentations, student curriculum, teacher resources and digital content, the Resilience Project’s Education Program supports mental health in the classroom.

The research is clear; the more positive emotions you experience, the more resilient you will be. For that reason, the course focuses on three key pillars that have been proven to cultivate positive emotions; Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM), with Emotional Literacy being a foundational skill to practice these strategies.

Our Senior School Pastoral Care program utilises our SHINE+ motto to assist Senior School students to learn and grow over their senior years through the THRIVE online program. Pastoral Care lessons also support students with goal setting, organisation, study skills and their pathways.

Students engage in lessons that support students to understand the remarkable power of the human brain, neuroplasticity and assessing their mindsets.

Students use an evidence-based goal setting process (T.O.P.) learning from famous failures to foster perseverance and passion toward their goals by ‘getting gritty’.

Through the UPP program, there is a focus on "rising by lifting others" and active listening, in order to build authentic friendships. The 6 elements of wellbeing are explored which will enhance students' wellbeing.

The buddy program is based on the Alannah and Madeline Better Buddies program which encourages cross-aged relationships throughout the school. Older students and their younger buddies all benefit from participation in the program. Older students develop an extra sense of meaning and purpose through their work with their younger buddies, while the younger students develop a strong, caring connection with an older buddy and are also assisted in their academic, social and emotional learning.

Each level is buddied up with another class as per the table below. The classes will engage in activities throughout the year such as reading, special days; Charity Day, Reconciliation Week, R U OK? Day and Liturgies to name a few.

Year 12 students and other selected Senior School students have the opportunity to engage for a single lesson a week with a younger student that may need support in building confidence, a skill or benefit from a positive relationship.