Pastoral care: focusing on tomorrow's gentlemen
Building an accepting and inclusive community in our College is best illustrated by one of the parables of Jesus Christ, the Parable of the Lost Sheep, which appears in two of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospels of Matthew (18:12–14) and Luke (15:3–7), building an accepting and inclusive community in our College is best illustrated by one of the parables of Jesus Christ, the Parable of the Lost Sheep, which appears in two of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospels of Matthew (18:12–14) and Luke (15:3–7), a shepherd leaves his flock of 99 in order to find the one sheep that is lost. It is the first in a trilogy of lessons about redemption that Jesus shares after he is accused of welcoming and eating with "sinners".
In this, and other similar stories, Jesus introduces the concept of 'The Stranger'. When criticised for the company He kept, Jesus replied, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
'The Stranger' may make us feel uncomfortable, but he can be the person who offers us the greatest challenge to our beliefs and the greatest chance of growth. With this message in mind, Pastoral Care at CBC Fremantle cultivates a positive and inclusive environment, and honours every boy's individual struggles and successes as he strives for his own personal excellence.
To achieve this culture of acceptance throughout the whole College community, Pastoral Care embraces more than the giving of well-prepared and stimulating lessons; it is concerned for the total wellbeing of students, and with the development of the whole person. The philosophies underpinning Pastoral Care, the active pursuit of programs and practices aimed at promoting and supporting wellbeing and school ethos, like the powerful father-son event Share the Journey and Year 9's watershed program, The Rite Journey, and the climate and atmosphere in which students and staff learn and work, are complementary.
While every member of the flock is of equal importance, recognising need in individual students is where the process comes back to the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Identifying students at risk, Pastoral Care supports and advocates for those boys, whilst building accountability and resilience. The focus is firmly on the finished product – the young man who walks across the stage at graduation. Along the journey, the College's consistent and ubiquitous message articulates our shared hopes that our graduating gentleman is able to:
- form attitudes and actions based on Gospel values
- understand and strive to be his best
- be resilient and responsible in facing challenges
- be a man for others, developing positive relationships
- recognise and value 'The Stranger' in his midst.
College and parent partnership
It is imperative that the self-worth of every member of the school community is valued and promoted, and the Student Management Policy at CBC Fremantle is closely linked to the Pastoral Care Policy to promote a respectful, safe and healthy environment for the whole school community.
In building the foundation for effective Pastoral Care and student management, CBC Fremantle provides an environment of unconditional love and consistent and well-defined boundaries – like every boy receives from his parents.
Being loved unconditionally does not mean absolution from blame, and CBC Fremantle seeks to unite with parents in providing a cohesive message in teaching our boys to be accountable for their actions. It is only through learning from their mistakes and being guided to become a better person that they can accept responsibility and build resilience, which is critical to the establishment of essential coping techniques characteristic of a well-formed young adult.
While all adult members of our community are charged with building relationships with students and their families that support the development of the boy into the gentleman of tomorrow, the College also has a Pastoral Care team that is dedicated specifically to the emotional nourishment of the boys. This team comprises the Vice Principal, six Heads of House, College Counsellor, and College Psychologist. The team now resides in a purpose-built area on the ground floor of the College's new building, designed to maximise the support of students. This group meets at least weekly, and discusses the progress of identified students at risk, as well as providing opportunities for all boys to be heard and feel included. Pastoral Care has been identified as a major strength of the College, and each member of the College community is committed to ensuring the excellence of its delivery is continually enhanced.