Over the last two weeks, Year Twelve cohort have had quite a novel experience – twin crash courses in car maintenance and core movement. The girl learnt the basics of car maintenance from Mr Waterhouse; how to open the bonnet, check the oil level and change their tyres in a fix. Elsewhere, Year Twelves enjoyed a session of “Moving with Monty”- that is, practicing a series of yogic exercises to strengthen their core and focusing on relaxation through stretching, breathing and movement (which will certainly be a valuable skill in the lead-up to exams later this year).
Given the overwhelming praise these sessions gained from parents and alumni and to follow up our earlier post on the Year 10 Influence Program, we thought we’d take some time to discuss some of our pastoral care programs and why they’re so valuable for Mercedes students.
High school can be a difficult time for students, as they make new friends, face new challenges and adjust to new environments. Preparing Mercedes students to enter the world beyond school is important, ensuring that students have the resilience, fortitude and strength of character to accompany their academic achievements when they move beyond school. Mercedes’ pastoral care programs ensure that the wellbeing and development of every girl is integrated into their academics. For this reason, Mercedes dedicates an extra period each week to pastoral care, and the holistic development of each student.
From the first days of high school, pastoral care programs play a key role; the Year 7s start their high school experience with Year 7 Transition Week, encouraging students to adapt to their new environment, make new friends and settle into new routines. They learn to using their lockers, read their timetable and navigate to their classes, and work with Year 10 Peer Mentors, who share their experiences and guide students through their first year. In Year 8, students begin the Heroic Habits program, which focuses on living out the 18 habits that will make life both responsible and rewarding. The programs teaches students service for others, performing actions for no expected reward or external gain, and creating positive thinking and resilience.
In Year 9, Mercedes students experience The Rite Journey program, in which students build connections, reflect on experiences and develop strategies for their transition to adulthood. At the end of the year, they attend a two-night camp full of personal and team challenges, including a 12-hour silent self-reflection. These experiences are built upon in the Year 10 Influence program, in which students learn qualities of leadership within themselves, within school and within the community beyond.
In Years 11-12, students build skills to prepare them to enter the world beyond school. These may range from soft skills, such as mindfulness, motivation and leadership, to the practical skills we see exemplified by the car maintenance session. The girls are also guided in developing a healthy balance between study, co-curricular activities, family and friends. The program centres on the role of leadership, service and in becoming responsible young adults – and if they also feel confident dismantling and reassembling an engine by the end of the year, more power to them!
A big thank you to Mr Waterhouse and Miss Godsell for organising these sessions – I’m sure there are many among us who wish we’d had the same when we attended school!
