What is Pastoral Care?

Dear families,

Did you know we have a Pastoral team led by Ps Warren Spooner, our Pastoral Director?

Our School Pastoral and Wellbeing Team comprises the School Chaplain/s, Student Welfare Officer/s and other Pastoral staff, together committed to the principle that every student in our School has the best possible opportunity to optimise their educational, personal, emotional and spiritual experience at Faith. Every teacher and staff member at Faith are also involved in Pastoral Care and co-curricular activities in one way or another. Your teacher is of course there to teach and also to care for the students, be a listening ear, provide encouragement and even push as is needed, firmly and kindly.

Whilst Pastoral Care is cited as an important aspect of overall school strategy in many sound thinking schools, few include a genuine Christian development element in their program!

Relationship is a key distinctive at Faith. The COVID experience proved beyond doubt that this demands an effective Pastoral Program in order to deliver and maintain consistent, quality engagement.

Educationalist John Dabell wrote – “Effective care is proactive and preventative, in that a school provides a range of activities and supports various processes that anticipate ‘critical incidents’ in children’s lives and aim to prevent and reduce the need for reactive casework. This involves providing distinctive programs and developmental pastoral curricula.” Sound advice.

“There is a strong link between Pastoral Care and Academic performance.”

Pastor Warren Spooner, Faith Christian School

Scott’s College has Defined their Program as:

“Pastoral Care is defined as the commitment to, and active demonstration of concern for, the growth and wellbeing of each student, as well as the broader school community. It focuses on cultivating an environment and culture that supports the physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of every student.”

There is a strong link between Pastoral Care and Academic performance. If we are committed to academic excellence, then we must be equally committed to physical health, social competence and spiritual and emotional resilience.

To establish how to help support families who require extra support, our team will be consistently in contact with teaching staff, parents and other stakeholders. We will conduct home visits and/or media-based catch-ups whenever support or encouragement is required.

A key staff member will live within your region and will be your most immediate contact for students, staff and families in general.

We will be the keepers of and champions for the culture and worldview of the School.

You will find us (along with teaching staff) at Resource Days, Workshops, Camps, Special Events (Carnivals etc) and other non-curricular activities, always ready for a chat, prayer or help to connect with the more specific assistance you need (Chaplains, Wellbeing Officers, myself or other external assistance) at the time. 

Together, we will walk the unique journey that each of our students must take in order to Achieve Through Christ.

Blessings,

Ps Was (Warren) Spooner

Pastoral Director

“My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgement,”‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬