Wellbeing

Pastoral Care

CBHS Lewisham is committed to create an environment in which the safety, wellbeing and participation of all students is paramount. Our students graduate with a sense of curiosity and the skills to make a positive difference in an ever-changing world.

They develop relationships with their peers, the boys in their Houses, the teachers and with God in a collaborative and supportive environment that emphasises respect, teamwork, communication, leadership skills and achievement.

The School endeavours to ensure that boys are well known and cared for through its pastoral structure. Over recent years, CBHS Lewisham has implemented a number of initiatives to meet specific student needs. In the senior years, boys have access to extensive careers facilities and resources. Students in Years 5-9 also enjoy opportunities for personal development through the School’s camp program. Students, staff and parents can also access the services of the School Counsellors.

Key Elements in our Pastoral Care Program

  • Homeroom Teachers and Pastoral Care Coordinators (Years 7-12)
  • Class Teachers (Years 5 and 6)
  • School Counsellors
  • Assistant Principal – Pastoral
  • Career Pathway programs
  • Sporting and Co-curricular programmes
  • Camps and retreats 
  • Incursions, special guest speakers and excursions
  • Parent information and engagement events
  • Recognition and reward for achievement and effort
  • Peer formation and leadership programs
  • Respectful Relationships Program
  • Pastoral Care lessons
  • House System 
  • Digital Citizenship and ICT education

House System

The House System is a vertically integrated method that encourages students to play an active, vital role in school life while fostering a sense of responsibility and connection, not just with their peers, but also with students of all ages within the school community.

Upon enrolment, all students are assigned to a House and remain in that House until graduation, with siblings placed in the same House. Staff members will also be assigned to a Homeroom and House group, staying with their assigned group throughout their time at CBHS Lewisham. This system fosters and strengthens positive relationships between staff and students, enhancing the sense of community at CBHS.

Each House is led by its House Patron (a staff member) and a House Prefect (a Year 12 student leader)

In fostering house identity and spirit we:

  • Channel energy into a positive contribution to the school spirit and tone
  • Encourage friendly competition amongst students which leads to  increased participation in the academic programs as well as the wide range of activities, both within and outside the school
  • Allow students to achieve their potential
  • Allow for increased and more effective communication of routines, expectations and delivery of achievements throughout the school
  • Foster leadership through active delegation of responsibility within the house

Each academic year students from the eight houses battle it out for one of the most elusive trophies in the school – the Br Gartland Cup, which is the culmination of points awarded for academic achievement, social justice and sporting endeavours.

Buddy System

CBHS Lewisham has developed a unique Buddy System that pairs new students with a buddy from an older year group within the same House. This system fosters a special connection between younger and older students, providing great comfort to the younger boys as they begin their journey at CBHS. Each Year 5 student is partnered with a Year 10 student, and this partnership continues as the boys progress into Year 6 (and 11) and Year 7 (and 12). The buddies meet regularly on a scheduled timetable, engaging in friendly games and mentoring activities. Older students also lead the younger boys in their reading program, strengthening the bond.

Student Wellbeing Counsellors

We are committed to providing the best academic and wellbeing environment to the students in our care. As part of our student care, we have three permanent school-based Counsellors.

The School Counsellors work very closely with the Pastoral Coordinators and are dedicated to promoting and supporting student wellbeing and student achievement from Years 5-12. 

As well as providing individualised and group care, the Counsellors also assist in the creation of our Pastoral Program which incorporates a range of Pastoral Care lessons and activities that the students complete in their Homerooms and House groups throughout the year. This helps our students build resilience and upskill themselves in the area of mental health and self care. Throughout the year the Counsellors and Pastoral Team will also provide educational opportunities to students in their Year Group and parents on a wide range of wellbeing areas.

Another key component of our Pastoral Care Program is our Respectful Relationships Program. This is a bespoke creation of the Pastoral Team that is delivered to every student from Years 5–12 throughout the course of the year. It is designed to be an age appropriate and age specific educational awareness program so our students understand what a healthy and respectful relationship looks like. This program also incorporates the impact and use of technology on relationships, the meaning and legality of consent and the impact on relationships of the portrayal of men and women in the modern day media/social media landscape. This program has been created in liaison with external organisations, but is delivered in Homeroom and Year Groups by a select group of staff with skills and knowledge in this field. This is a constantly evolving program, to account for changes in the contemporary environment and updated research in this area.