PASTORAL CARE

HEAD SMART

HeadSmart Information

We are pleased to announce the launch of HEAD SMART, a new pastoral care program to be delivered to all Year 10 students at Melbourne High School . The project is a very detailed three year program which will be delivered to every year ten student in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

ORYGEN www.orygen.org.au and The Sunrise Foundation www.sunrisefoundation.org.au   will assist the school with program development, design, delivery and evaluation. We are all very excited by the opportunity to work alongside ORYGEN and the Sunrise Foundation who bring a wealth of expertise and professional experience.

Funding for the three year program has been provided by the Bennelong Foundation www.bennelongfoundation.com.au   and we are extremely grateful for their commitment and financial suppor t.


PASTORAL CARE at YEAR 9


Pastoral care is provided by a range of interested staff beginning with the Form Teacher and extending to Year Level Coordinators, Assistant Principals and the Principal. Student Services are further provided by the Student Welfare Coordinator, School Psychologist, School Nurse, Careers and Work Experience Coordinator.

All our boys are leaving secure Year 8 environments with their known teachers, close travel, established mates, predictable subject choices, and high academic standing amongst their peers. While most of the changes in coming to Melbourne High School are positive, the School recognises some of the challenges the boys may face.

  • All Year 9 students have one period each fortnight devoted to various aspects of Pastoral Care. Early in the year, this centres on making the students' transition from Year 8 to Year 9 as smooth as possible.
  • Much early emphasis is placed on making friends, becoming familiar with public transport, creating stronger class and study practices, and becoming involved in a wide range of co-curricular activities at the School.
  • As the year progresses, other issues are covered within the class as well as using excursions and invited performers. In second semester the main subject is drug education. All Form Teachers are trained to instruct in these potentially contentious issues and are able to use many interesting and informative ways of dealing with them in class.