Pastoral Dimension

The founder of the Christian Brothers, Blessed Edmund Rice was a man of hope and vision. Edmund responded to the needs of the poor and marginalised youth in his native Ireland in the early nineteenth century. The same spirit of faithfulness and social justice provides the basis of the formation program at St Brendan's College. We believe that faith and formation are integral to the development of young men.

Retreat experiences are an essential part of the curriculum and are varied from year to year. These provide opportunities for students to experience their religious development in a challenging and supportive context. Opportunities for prayer and personal reflection are also an important aspect of our approach to help students explore their own beliefs and values.

Students undertake community service as part of the faith development program of the College. Our students have a proud tradition of supporting the wider community through participating in doorknock appeals, fundraising and volunteering to help local welfare agencies. Students also have the opportunity to be involved in the Edmund Rice Camp Program which aims to offer assistance to marginalised children in our local area.

Overall, St Brendan's College is a community which strives to develop a sense of faith and maturity in our students. We hope that through sharing our lives together and challenging students to grow, the young men of the College will enter adult life with a determination to make a difference to our world.

Pastoral Care System

Every student at St Brendan's belongs to a Pastoral Care (PC) Group within one of the four Houses. Groups are made up of 10-15 students from Years 8-12 and are led by a member of staff. PC groups meet each morning before Chapel and at other times in the timetable cycle. A small, vertical PC group allows each student to be well-known throughout his years at St Brendan's. The PC teacher provides support for each student and fosters a relationship over 5 years. The PC structure also allows each boy to develop a strong friendship with others in the group and as a boy enters Senior it is hoped that he will be a role model for the younger boys in the group.

The four House groups at St Brendan's are:

• Tynan
• Duhig
• Gettons
• Hayes

Responsible Thinking Process

As part of our Behaviour Management Policy, we have introduced the Responsible Thinking Process (RTP). RTP has been introduced as the preferred discipline program for disruptive behaviour at St Brendan's College because we believe that it is most consistent with Gospel values and the Catholic Mission of the school. RTP is based on this guiding principle:

Students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach in safety.
No one has the right to disrupt, to prevent others from learning, or to violate the rights of others.

RTP, rather than being a set of rules, is an attitude about how a person interacts with others.

RTP is a process that teaches respect for others through responsible thinking.

It creates mutual respect by teaching students how to think through what they are doing in relation to the rules of wherever they are. This gives students personal accountability for their actions, thus teaching self-discipline.

Wherever humans are, there are also rules, standards, and procedures. Their purpose is simple: they provide guides for how we should act to accomplish our goals without in any way interfering with others who are trying to achieve their goals. This is how all of us can live in harmony with each other.

When a disruptive incident occurs, students at St. Brendan's will be first reminded of the rule and given a choice of where they want to be-either in the classroom/learning environment following the accepted rules or working in the Planning Room.

If, after this reminder, there is a further disruption or breach of rules the student loses the right to be in the classroom/learning environment and has chosen by his behaviour to go to the Planning Room.

What happens in the Planning Room?

The student works under supervision and is required to address the behaviour that was occurring in the classroom or residence.

The student is assisted by Planning Room staff to develop a plan to resolve any classroom conflict and to avoid further similar disruptions.

The student is then required to negotiate re-entry to the class on the basis of this plan with the teacher. The student also completes any class work set by teachers while he remains in the Planning Room.

The student does not go to the Planning Room as punishment but as a consequence of behaviour choices. Planning Room staff will treat all students with respect and provide any assistance they may require in resolving the problem.

What happens if a student continues to make wrong choices?

A student who chooses to disrupt in the Planning Room while other students are working on their plans will be referred to the office and the RTP Administrator (Deputy Principal). At this point, parents will be contacted. If the Student continues to be disruptive or breach College rules he will be sent home. A special arrangement will be made for boarding students. In both cases, the student and his parents will need to meet with the RTP Administrator when the student is ready to be at school and willing to follow the rules.

How do we expect RTP to help St. Brendan's College?

• RTP ensures the real purpose of teaching and learning in our College can proceed without persistent disruption.
• RTP offers students a choice about what they want to do and assists them to take responsibility for their behaviour.
• RTP allows teachers and students to relate to each other respectfully.
• RTP helps students learn the important life skills of compromise, negotiation and conflict resolution.