Campbell House

The classroom teacher is the central person in providing and overseeing the pastoral care of the children in their care. From time to time, as needed, they may draw on the expertise of the School Counsellor, the Special Needs learning teacher or the Director of Campbell House.

All members of the Campbell House community should feel safe and secure, and be able to work, learn and play in a comfortable, positive environment. The key to this is each child feeling known and respected. The intimate size of Campbell House from Prep to Year3 allows all children and teachers to know each other. This is supported with a special buddy program that commences with Year 3 children and Prep children who share reading with each other twice a week. New children are also given a special buddy to help them settle into their new school.

Respect for the individual and others and our environment are built into the fabric of life at Campbell House. A special booklet called ‘Working, Playing and Caring’ has been compiled to explicitly illustrate behaviours to children that build a happy and caring community. The booklet is illustrated with photographs and written in child centred language.

The teachers explicitly teach manners and conflict resolution skills, and have an expectation of considerate behaviour. In the playground, if children find themselves in conflict, they are supported by staff who have all been trained in conflict resolution skills. They gather all the children involved and specifically role model for children how to resolve the conflict and restore justice. Over time, this consistent approach assists the development of resilience in the children and provides them with the skills to independently resolve their own conflicts.

Building a sense of belonging amongst our children is an important goal of our pastoral care program and it is developed on several levels.

• In the classroom rituals are practised that allow children to learn what it is to be part of a classroom community.
• In CARE (Community And Religious Education) program Christian values, along with the school values are taught and explored.
• Whole Campbell House Community activities such as special days, where children from Prep to Year 3 work together building relationships.
• The weekly assembly provides opportunities to celebrate and reflect as a community.