Pastoral Care
Supporting Students After a Natural Disaster
Schools play a vital role in providing stability and reassurance for students. One of the most effective ways schools can support students is by maintaining familiar routines. Predictability and structure provide a sense of safety, helping students feel more in control of their environment. Regular class schedules, school activities, and learning expectations offer consistency, which is essential for emotional recovery.
While flexibility is necessary for individual students who may need additional support, an overall commitment to normalcy helps reduce anxiety and uncertainty. St Paul's College provides meaningful paths to healing by offering opportunities to pray for and support those affected by the recent natural disaster. These experiences help young people live out their faith through acts of compassion, fostering both a sense of connection and personal healing through service.
Encouraging your child to return to school and actively participate in learning can help them regain a sense of purpose and belonging.
Together we can help your child move forward with resilience and hope, knowing that they are supported every step of the way.
Visit the Parent Resource Centre for additional information on supporting your child after a natural disaster.
Building a Culture of Respect and Safety
At the heart of our Catholic faith is the call to love one another as Christ loves us. This extends to how we treat others in friendships, relationships, and online interactions. Creating a culture of respect and safety within our College community is a shared responsibility for both online and face-to-face behaviour.
Practical Steps for Parents
- Open Conversations: Foster trust by talking openly and age-appropriately about online risks and the value of respect in relationships.
- Model Respect: Demonstrate respectful communication and boundaries in your own relationships online and offline.
- Teach Respect: Emphasise the importance of respecting themselves and others, both online and offline.
- Encourage Critical Thinking: Help your young person question the messages they encounter in media and online spaces, including the risks of engaging with or sharing AI-generated images.
- Engage in Faith: Discuss how Catholic teachings guide our understanding of love, respect, and human dignity.
Conversation Starters for Parents
- ‘What does respect look like in our relationships with friends and family?’
- ‘How can we be kind and supportive to others, especially online?’
- ‘What would you do if someone treated you disrespectfully online or in person?’
- ‘How can we work together to make our community a safe and respectful place for everyone?’
- ‘What would you do if you saw a peer being bullied online?’
Mrs Krystal Brady - Leader of Pastoral Care