Pastoral Care Directions 2025

Following a review of our student advocacy program, 2025 will commence with a slightly different approach, to further improve our commitment to the holistic development of all students.

A modification of our timetable in 2025 will allow for extended periods of learning time, meaning less changes of classrooms and teachers each day. By eliminating unnecessary movement and supporting a greater connection between classroom teachers and students, there will be more time to build positive and trusting relationships, not just for a section of the day, but throughout the entire day.

These extended learning times will enable staff to incorporate explicit teaching of social and emotional learning into their programs, as well as provide a structure that supports positive relationships, with staff really knowing and supporting students. The timetable structure will allow teachers to better advocate for each student’s wellbeing, learning and future pathways.

Class times will be 44 minutes each, with increased double periods allocated and one single lesson each day. Students will only have up to four different teachers daily, sometimes less depending on the subjects.

There will no longer be dedicated timetabled Student Advocate periods, however, student’s individual needs will be understood and nurtured through the collaborative approach with families, to support growth, recognise achievements and provide targeted assistance. This collaboration will be supported through the structure of each year level: the two Year Level Coordinators, the Year Level Learning Leader and the Learning Diversity leader will lead the year-level team to know all students and respond to their needs. The morning routine, including prayer, acknowledgement and administration tasks will occur during normal classroom sessions in the first period of the day.

All teachers play an essential role in building relationships with students, and this will be amplified in every lesson, every day. Students and parents have access to daily messages and should ensure they stay informed, while urgent messages will be highlighted.

The College is committed to:

• Ensuring that parents and carers have a point of contact to support the spiritual, physical, academic and social-emotional development of their child.
• Providing a point of contact for students to access support.
• Ensuring a Child Safe environment that holds the protection, care, safety, health and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility.
• Understanding that greater measures may need to be taken for younger students or students with additional learning needs.
• Providing positive equitable learning environments that promote student engagement and connectedness.
• Developing lifelong learners who are empowered to be independent, self-motivated and resilient.
• Helping students develop capabilities that promote health and wellbeing and lead to success in life.
• Ensuring all school staff members understand our critical role in supporting children.

As a Catholic school for everyone, Catherine McAuley College Bendigo offers faith and mission opportunities entwined in an evolving curriculum and outstanding learning opportunities to develop a context where all students can thrive and serve. The College is committed to providing the best possible outcomes for each student and remains focused on the wellbeing of each individual in every lesson, every day.