Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

The Heart of St Mark's

Our community is characterised by its support and development of the holistic wellbeing of all.

Our priority is to:

• develop and nurture the wellbeing of students, staff, and families: spirit, heart, mind, and body;
• create a safe, equitable, optimistic, and inclusive environment of trust, care, and support;
• encourage in our people a sense of voice, agency, and purpose; and
• proactively create and nurture a child safe environment.

Quality pastoral care influences the tone of the whole School, creating a caring and nurturing environment in which young people feel safe and secure. This allows students to have a voice, feel connected, and empowered to participate in the community, knowing that they belong to something important; it makes them feel valued and encouraged in their learning, personal growth and social development. Our Christian faith and the School’s values - Respect, Knowledge, Confidence, Responsibility and Community - provide us with our moral compass.

Our FLOURISH program supports all students, from Kindergarten to Year 12. It provides an overarching framework to shape delivery of pastoral care in the School. 'FLOURISH' is an acronym for

• Feelings and emotional intelligence.
• Leadership.
• Optimism
• Utilising resources.
• Resilience.
• Innovation.
• Service.
• Healthy relationships.

The RULER approach, developed at Yale University, supports the FLOURISH program, and helps our young people to develop skills that maximise their potential – academically, socially, and emotionally – to become responsible, confident and capable citizens.

‘RULER’ is an acronym for:

• Recognising.
• Understanding.
• Labelling.
• Expressing.
• Regulating emotions.

Our young people face many challenges growing up in the 21st century. Within the School’s pastoral care structure, developing secure relationships with trusted others helps them to navigate obstacles and manage influences that may affect their mental and physical wellbeing. Students are encouraged and supported in developing a strong and resilient disposition, equipping them with skills to thrive in a challenging world.