Blackfriars Priory School has an allocated lesson, once per week on a Wednesday morning, dedicated to Pastoral Care programs, assemblies and activities. The Pastoral Care of students continues through the school day and beyond in all that we do at Blackfriars Priory School. All staff take extreme pride in supporting students and their welfare, so they are best placed to achieve their best in any pursuits.

Throughout Pastoral Care lessons, every Wednesday morning, students from ELC to Year 12 can participate in the following activities and lessons:

An important element of the Pastoral Care program at Blackfriars is the House System which provides welfare and support within the context of a progressive student development model.

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Primary School

The Primary School has four Houses, each comprising student representation from Reception to Year 6. As well as providing a basis for Pastoral Care activities across year levels, the Primary School Houses form an important part of the annual Primary Sports Day and Swimming Carnival. The St Dominic Spirit Shield is awarded to the Primary School House that displays a positive attitude toward enhancing learning throughout the year.

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Secondary School

The Secondary School has eight Houses, each comprising three Home Groups of approximately 20 students. Home Groups consist of students from all year secondary year levels (Years 7 to 12) with boys remaining in the same Home Group throughout their time in the Secondary School. Home Groups meet together every morning prior to regular lessons starting providing an opportunity for students to mentor and be mentored. The coordination and day-to-day functioning of each House is overseen by a Head of House, supported by the Home Group teaching staff.

This Secondary School House structure, which has been in place since 1986, aims to:

• Provide continuity in pastoral care from Years 7 to 12
• Allow students of different ages and different abilities and interests to meet and grow in appreciation, respect and service.
• Establish an environment which embraces the vision and values of the School.
• Provide students with a significant adult who is their reference point as they progress through the School.
• Nurture and develop quality relationships, generate enthusiasm, independence, interdependence, confidence, competence, loyalty, co-operation, trust, collaboration and a search for truth.
• Complement the student development and student leadership program.
• Help students feel known and appreciated as individuals.
• Provide groups of a suitable size for prayer and religious gatherings.
• Allow for friendly competition between Home Groups and Houses in academic, cultural and sporting endeavours.

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Good relationships are the basis for all learning. Anything that affects relationships (such as inappropriate behaviour) impacts on learning – the student and that of other students. To support the challenge of learning, we have adopted Restorative Practices as a framework to underpin our Pastoral Care program.

Restorative Practice is a way of viewing relationship-building and behaviour management in schools. It strengthens community among students and between students, teachers and parents. Restorative Practices allows for:

• Enhanced relationships among students
• Enhanced relationships between students and teachers
• Being able to recognise and correct your own behaviour
• Being responsible for consequences of your behaviour

To support Restorative Practices at Blackfriars, we promote the following ‘Foundations of Good Behaviour’:

• Courtesy – include others, listen, only make constructive comments
• Participation – be actively involved, participate
• Respect – consider how you represent yourself and how you treat others
• Service – help others, nurture friendships, develop gifts and talents.

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The school counselling service, which includes an in-house psychologist, can assist students with a wide range of issues, including, but not limited to: mood disturbances such as feeling sad, anxious, depressed, apathetic or fearful; friendship issues; family conflict; relationship issues; substance use; grief and loss and study support.

Irrespective of the nature of the issue, students frequently report that they find it helpful talking to someone who is not a member of their family, friendship circle or a teacher, about their experiences, and can therefore, provide an objective, empathetic, non-judgemental perspective on things.

Safe Environments for All (Catholic Education SA website) >

The Co-curricular program at Blackfriars contributes to each student’s sense of belonging within the community and develops pride in representing the school with their friends. Mateship has been identified by students as the main purpose of representing Blackfriars in co-curricular activities. Students are encouraged to participate in as many opportunities through the program that they can balance with their other commitments.

Participation in at least one activity within the Blackfriars Priory School Co-curricular program is an expectation of all students and provides boys with the opportunity to:

• Enjoy involvement in physical or group activity
• Promote and develop an individual’s fitness and health and general well-being
• Foster and develop positive attitudes, group and team skills and self confidence
• Build resilience
• Build relationships that are respectful and meaningful
• Live out our Catholic faith and share our experiences with our community to bring about positive change

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At Blackfriars, we value the opinions and expression of our students and their ability to contribute to their own learning and life of the school. The importance of a student’s voice at our school is built on the belief that all people are made in the image of God and have an inherent goodness within.

Student voice is more than making students feel important and valued; it is an approach to school improvement that makes the learning environment and school culture engaging, relevant, meaningful and more productive.