At Sacred Heart Girls’ College, we recognise that wellbeing is a critical life skill. It is an essential ingredient so students may be empowered and adaptable life-long learners, build strong connections, experience genuine engagement and realise positive learning outcomes.
Through explicit programs, student and community initiatives and partnerships with families, we nurture positive relationships and genuine opportunities for students to grow, actively participate in their own and others learning and contribute to their own learning community and broader society.
Homeroom
Homeroom is a deliberate point of connection where each student engages socially and pastorally with her peers and Homeroom teacher. The Homeroom teacher is a key support person for the students and the first point of contact for parents and carers.
Wellbeing for Learning Program
Explicit and informed teaching of social emotional learning in ways that are developmentally appropriate, meaningful and relevant forms the basis of the Wellbeing for Learning Program. Collaboratively developed, evidence-based and flexible, this program is delivered by the Homeroom teacher and builds student self-understanding and capability.
College Counsellors
There are times when students need more specialised support. Our College counsellors are experienced in supporting students with emotional, social, personal and school based issues. Within the integrated wellbeing approach, College counsellors work with Year Level Leaders, Deputy Principal – Students, parents and carers and community agencies to provide the care and support each young person needs.
Building Relationships Across the School
Students benefit from relationships and positive role models across the different age groups. A strong sense of community, belonging and care is nurtured through student activities and programs, including: House activities, interest-based clubs, Big Sister Little Sister program, sports, arts, student leadership and more. Students contributing, building relationships, leading initiatives and having a voice build a strong, vibrant and resilient community.
Parent/Carer Resources
Parents face many challenges in raising young people. SchoolTV is an online resource designed to empower parents/carers with current information and realistic and practical strategies.
Find out moreTransition
Transitioning from primary to secondary school can be an overwhelming process for students. Students worry about making new friends and losing old friendships, staying organised, preparing for tests and often feeling overwhelmed by the number of individual teachers and subjects compared to primary school.
These concerns are completely normal. Our Transition Program aims to alleviate these concerns, often founded in the unknown, by making the unknown visible.
During Year 6, we organise visits and interviews to allow students to make connections with staff, who they will see around the school the following year. These visits and interviews also allow students and their families to have their questions about College life answered.
A Parent Information Night is conducted in Term 4, where parents are introduced to key members of staff and are given information about uniforms, administration requirements and our Learning Management Software (PAM and SIMON).
Most excitingly for students, we also conduct Orientation Day. On this day, students discover their Homeroom: the core class group with whom they will have most of their lessons. Students will be introduced to their Homeroom Teacher, who will become their main support staff during Year 7. They will meet their Big Sister, a future Year 12 student, who they will regularly meet with throughout Year 7 (the Big Sister/Little Sister Program). Students also undergo a Literacy and Numeracy Test. Students do not need to prepare for this test as the results are only used by the English and Mathematics teachers to support the individualised learning of students.
The transition of students in Year 7 continues to be supported throughout the year in various ways including: a Transition Unit in Health lessons, which teaches students about developing friendships and resolving conflict; the Peer Support Program where Year 7s are mentored by trained Year 10s, supporting development of study habits, organisation skills and preparation for examinations; and through Wellbeing Lessons with their Homeroom Teacher.
Student Leadership
Euphrasie Barbier believed that we all have special gifts and talents that ought to be put to the service of others.
Based on Christ’s teaching and modelling, the College community, including student leaders, seek to act as servant leaders demonstrating empathy, commitment to others, high levels of awareness, stewardship, high values, respect and an ability to listen to others. Recognising their responsibility to others, student leaders strive to build a strong, respectful, inclusive and engaging faith-based College community.
As representatives of the student body, student leaders have the privilege and responsibility of communicating with their peers and College staff and representing student voice in a range of leadership portfolios.
Leadership portfolios at Sacred Heart Girls’ College include:
College Captains
Deputy College Captain: Faith
Deputy College Captain: Social Justice
Deputy College Captain: Arts
Deputy College Captain: Sport