LIFE AT KOLBE. THE KOLBE WAY.
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral care at Kolbe Catholic College is based on our Christian belief in the dignity and respect of each person. In this context, pastoral care is Christian growth in a community setting, enlivened by the Gospel spirit of freedom and love. It encompasses a climate of care that reflects the Christian ethos of caring for and respecting one another.
As we focus on the development of the whole person at Kolbe, pastoral care is embedded into every aspect of College life. We provide a safe learning environment in which students and staff can flourish and develop socially, spiritually, emotionally, academically and physically. High standards of behaviour and personal responsibility are promoted at all times, as is respect for self, others, family, the College community, our campus, and the wider community.
The student code of conduct is a practical application of our pastoral care philosophy. It extends to the everyday learning taking place in the classroom and to all facets of the school experience. When students enrol at Kolbe, they assume certain obligations and responsibilities. With everyone in the College community working within these expectations, a positive learning environment is created for everyone.
Good pastoral care is based on the development of positive relationships between students and staff. Pastoral Care group teachers, class teachers, specialist teachers, relief teachers, teacher assistants and support staff are all responsible for developing a culture of respect, positive involvement and responsibility in the classroom and beyond. At Kolbe Catholic College, everyone is treated with dignity and compassion, creating a safe and supportive Catholic faith community.
The College has developed a framework that supports the specific needs of students across all year levels. The pastoral care program is designed to foster skills that allow students to better manage emotions, develop healthy thinking styles, manage and cope with everyday opportunities and challenges, foster healthy and positive relationships and build on character strengths. The program encourages students to be well-rounded and resilient, to thrive personally, academically and professionally, and to contribute positively to society in a way that is meaningful and satisfying.
WELLBEING
At Kolbe Catholic College, we aim to provide outstanding care for every student, allowing each individual to become the best versions of themselves. When we talk about student wellbeing, we refer to the overall health of a student — their social, mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. Investing in a child’s wellbeing sets them up with a strong foundation to live their best possible life, both now and into the future.
Research shows that wellbeing and academic success are intertwined, meaning that if we were to overlook the wellbeing and safety of our students, learning at Kolbe could not take place effectively. As such, we are committed to taking a holistic approach in the education of our students. Our efforts allow them to thrive in an environment where they feel safe, are engaged in their learning, and are connected to each other, their teachers, the College and our community.
Factors that can impact positively on student wellbeing include:
- developing a sense of belonging;
- building and growing supportive relationships;
- finding meaning and purpose.
When students feel good, have their psychological and social needs met, and are in school environments that promote a culture of wellbeing, they will be better prepared to learn, functioning as a more effective learner and benefitting academically.
At Kolbe, we work towards building a positive wellbeing culture through our pastoral care program. Pastoral care has always been central to life at Kolbe, and the processes and structures we have in place focus on creating a sense of belonging and building strong relationships.
Our program encompasses:
- Mixed year level Pastoral Care (PC) groups
- House and year level celebrations
- Friday Fundays on the Avenue
- Student leadership programs
- Year level retreats
- Extracurricular activities
Our College also has a dedicated team that focuses on the wellbeing of our students. Kolbe’s Wellbeing Team is made up of the Head of Wellbeing, the Care and Intervention Coordinator, and our school psychologists. Together with our staff, students and parents, the team aims to build a positive learning environment fostered by positive relationships, respect and inclusion.
College Houses
College Houses
Kolbe Catholic College has an established House system that forms the basis for pastoral care, student activities and leadership. Each of our six Houses have been named after a significant person who demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the Church and society of their time. Our House patrons especially reflect the College’s ethos of Courage, Faith and Excellence.
Upon enrolment at the College, students are allocated to a particular House, with their siblings being allocated to the same House upon their enrolment. Following a vertical House system, students from Years 7 to 12 are sorted into mixed year level Pastoral Care (PC) groups with others in the same House. Students remain in the same PC group for the duration of their time at the College.
The House system and PC groups provide students with:
- an environment where they are cared for, guided and supported;
- the opportunity to develop positive relationships and interact daily with others across year levels;
- a sense of community within their House, as well as within their individual PC group;
- the opportunity to be part of faith-based service activities and sporting activities that foster House spirit;
- the chance to raise funds for nominated House charities.
Each year, Houses compete for the Ali Buckner Champion House Award with points earned through:
- participation at the KCC Swimming Carnival
- participation at the KCC Athletics Carnival
- participation at the KCC Cross-Country Carnival
- Spirit Awards
- House attendance
College Houses are an essential component of life at Kolbe and give all students the opportunity to develop a sense of connection and belonging, allowing them to grow into the best version of themselves.
CHISHOLM HOUSE
Motto: “Help the Poor”
House colour: Red
Patron: Caroline Chisholm (1808–1877)
Feast Day: 8 August
What makes Caroline Chisholm a good role model for our students?
- She was a humanitarian and a pioneer of family welfare in Australia.
- She had a passion for education and established a school in India for the daughters of European soldiers.
- She would meet immigrant ships arriving in Sydney and find positions for the girls, sheltering many of them in her home.
- She established a hostel for homeless immigrants.
LOYOLA HOUSE
Motto: “Enter Silently into God’s Presence”
House colour: Purple
Patron: St Ignatius Loyola (1491–1556)
Feast Day: 31 July
What makes St Ignatius Loyola a good role model for our students?
- Along with St Francis Xavier, he co-founded the Society of Jesus, a religious order of priests and brothers, which later became known as the Jesuit Order.
- Called by God, he chose a life of poverty to learn humility.
- He had a love of education and made it his mission to establish a link between education and religion.
- Through the Jesuit Order, he spread education and the teaching of Jesus throughout Europe.
MACKILLOP HOUSE
Motto: “In Service of others”
House colour: Yellow
Patron: St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (1842–1909)
Feast Day: 8 August
What makes St Mary MacKillop a good role model for our students?
- She became the first Australian saint when she was canonised on 17 October 2010.
- She co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, an order known as the Josephites.
- She had a passion for education and established schools across Australia and New Zealand.
- She provided places of refuge for the working class and poor.
RICE HOUSE
Motto: “Do Ever So Little for God”
House colour: Green
Patron: Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762–1844)
Feast Day: 5 May
What makes Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice a good role model for our students?
- He founded two religious institutes: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers.
- As a Catholic missionary, he set up a free school for boys living in poverty.
- Through education, he sought to liberate individuals and free his society from oppression.
- As an educationalist, he cultivated an ethic of compassionate care and believed that students could become agents of change.
TERESA HOUSE
Motto: “DO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR GOD”
House colour: Dark Blue
Patron: St Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997)
Feast Day: 5 September
What makes St Teresa of Calcutta a good role model for our students?
- She founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity.
- She harboured enormous compassion and love for humanity.
- She devoted her life to caring for the sick and poor in Calcutta, India.
- She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her services to charity and the poor.
XAVIER HOUSE
Motto: “MAKE CHRIST OUR DESTINY”
House colour: Light Blue
Patron: St Francis Xavier (1506–1552)
Feast Day: 3 December
What makes St Francis Xavier a good role model for our students?
- Along with St Ignatius Loyola, he co-founded the Society of Jesus.
- Starting in India, he led an extensive evangelisation mission to Asia.
- As the Patron Saint of Missions, he is remembered for his willingness to learn about new cultures and befriend all he met.
- Caught in a storm when travelling, he lost his crucifix in the ocean, but upon reaching his destination, a crab came walking towards him with it.
