Pastoral Care

The house system is responsible for student welfare, student behaviour, organisation of intraschool competition (sports, cultural) and for fostering the further development of school spirit and a sense of community. The vertical Tutor Group (consisting of students from Year 5 to 12) structure remains an integral part of House organisation with the Group Tutor the first (and central) link in the pastoral structures within the College.

The House system is a primary structure in helping students develop a sense of belonging to the school and also in fostering school and community spirit.

The House System aims:

To provide continuity in pastoral care within the Houses over Years 5 - 12, allowing the House Dean and Group Tutor the opportunity to establish ongoing support and understanding od students, a means of monitoring their personal development (intellectual, emotional, psychological) and maintaining a strong pastoral link with families. Junior school teachers continue their current responsibility for the pastoral needs of their students (years 5 to 7) and to liaise with the Group Tutor and House Deans when appropriate.

The students participate in the House Championships which encompasses three areas of learning at St Patrick's, Academic, Cultural (House Debating, House Chess, House Choir) and Sporting (Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country).

To help cultivate and identify student leadership within the college.

To develop student awareness of their responsibilities as members of the College Community and the values of the College.

To simplify the communication channels between home and school and the individual student.

To promote and more clearly articulate the role and importance of the Group Tutor as mentor.

To naturally complement the other vertical structures within the College and make House activities more effective.

To strengthen student identity within the College and with the Houses further fostering house/school spirit.

The House Deans are specifically responsible for the following areas:

• Pastoral Care
• Discipline
• House Liturgies, Social Activities
• Inter-house Activities
• Supervision of Houses and Tutor Groups