Wellbeing & Pastoral Care

The role of the Pastoral Care Worker in a school is to ensure there is an extra set of arms and legs as well as a huge heart for the students, staff, and families of that community. The Pastoral Care Worker’s focus is to sit with those who are feeling upset, down, or just not ‘class-ready’ to encourage them to work through their feelings towards focusing on learning.

Here at Cambrai, that role has taken many twists and turns. It has always included the coordination of the Breakfast Club, provision of wellbeing, social and emotional programs across the school, supporting staff with classes that might trigger a strong emotional response as well as providing growth mindset posters and activities around the school to remind students that they are valued and unique.  Support for the local community as well as the school families is undertaken through our pantry program: it takes a village – a long life goods program supplied by locals for local people in difficulty or crisis.

It has provided quiet space for students when their entire world is in chaos, a mentoring space for students who need extra encouragement and a quiet play area for students who find the rambunctious school ground overwhelming.

At various times the talents of the PCW are used throughout the school. Over the last five years this has included students learning to sew, the collaborative execution of Reconciliation, Remembrance and Harmony Day banners as well as a whole host of little sewing tasks around the school such as covers for all computers.  

The role is paid for by Government funding and local churches, and as such, is rightly viewed by families as an independent and confidential listening ear. If it is perceived by the PCW that a family, child or staff member is ‘at risk’, this information is shared with the Principal.