A General Overview

18/01/2011

A CATHOLIC SCHOOL

St Benedict’s is a Catholic School:

• Everyone is welcome. No-one is excluded because all members of the College community are created in God’s image and are therefore good.
• It has a strong value system based on Gospel values with Christ as the centre of the school. It is a faith community that fosters positive, relationships among boys, teachers and parents.
• The religious atmosphere fosters formation of the whole child. Worship and prayer are integral and central to school life. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and must treat others in the same way.
• St Benedict’s resists individualism. It is concerned about justice and the well being of the whole community – we are our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers.
• The best is expected from boys because teachers believe in them.
• Clear standards of behaviour from all members of the school community are defined and expected.
• A sense of social responsibility based on Gospel values is fostered. This helps boys to become worthwhile citizens who will hopefully make a difference to society. These values should permeate all the College’s endeavours.
• The College provides a broad curriculum which is meaningful to boys and relevant to their community.
• School leadership attempts to develop positive morale amongst the boys and staff and gives priority to people.
• Collaborative decision-making is encouraged and the gifts of each individual are recognised.
• Parental involvement and collaboration is vital for a true community to develop – a community that has the development and well-being of every member as its vision.

It is our goal at St Benedict’s that boys come to a more mature understanding of all that is implied in the concept of person: intellect and will, freedom and feelings, the capacity to be an active and creative agent; a being endowed with rights and duties, capable of interpersonal relationships, called to a specific mission in the world.

At St Benedict’s, it is the Catholic Faith that is taught throughout. Christian principles and moral values are inculcated not only through Religious Education classes and Liturgical programmes, but throughout the academic curriculum in the classroom and on the sports fields. We believe that the Catholic School’s task is fundamentally a synthesis of culture and faith, and a synthesis of faith and life – the first is reached by integrating all the different aspects of human knowledge through all that is taught in the light of the Gospel; the second in the growth of the virtues characteristic of the Christian in prayer, in worship and in relationships with other people.

The staff of the College contribute in practical ways, so that all may discover the meaning of sound Christian values, in thought, word and deed. Our goal is that our boys may become a generation of adults who have hope in themselves, hope in Christ and hope in the promise of fullness of life.

In line with the College’s aims and objective, boys attend mass on a regular basis. The entire College celebrates mass as a whole-school community at least once a term and boys attend a Grade Mass once a term. Our boarders celebrate mass once a week on a Wednesday evening and all boys and parents are most welcome to be part of this mass. In addition, our RE department facilitates a retreat for each grade once a year.

LIFE ORIENTATION

Life Orientation is designed to help boys’ religious, personal, moral, social and physical development. It aims to identify issues and problems that individuals and society in general might face and through a structured programme, investigate those issued so that the boys are well-informed and, therefore, better able to establish their own perspectives and values. It is hoped that both Life Orientation and Religious Education will help our boys to make considered choices when faced with dilemmas and problems and thus develop better control over their lives and be able to grow into socially active and responsible adults.

Life Orientation and Religious Education address directly the following four learning outcomes.

• Personal Well-being
• Citizenship Education
• Recreation and Physical well-being
• Career and Career Choices

The College has a duty to promote the good health and well-being of its boys and make them aware of the consequences of their actions. Life Orientation should help boys to be well-informed about health matters, be able to make considered judgments and avoid unnecessary risks and dangers. A variety of health issues are addressed: drug abuse, alcohol and smoking; diet, healthy styles of life, physical fitness; sex education (including HIV and AIDS education). Staff adopt an unashamedly Catholic approach when addressing such issues as pre-marital sex and birth control. Boys are encouraged to consider the importance of self-restraint, dignity and respect for themselves and others. They should be helped to recognize the emotional, moral and physical risks of casual or promiscuous sex.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

All boys are expected to do a minimum of 20 hours community service a year. This is recorded on a Community Service Card issued to each boy at the start of the academic year. Community service issued as a sanction for bad behaviour is not credited on the Community Service Card.

THE COLLEGE’S MORAL FRAMEWORK

Although we are unashamedly a Catholic school, St Benedict’s College draws boys from a wide variety of religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Nevertheless, there are clear moral standards which we expect all boys to uphold. These are not enshrined in the prohibitions of College Rules or Code of Conduct. Indeed, they represent values which should minimize the need for regulation

Honesty

It is a central principle of the College that boys be honest in their behaviour and we expect them to take responsibility and accept accountability for their actions.

Courtesy

We expect all boys to be courteous, showing to others good manners which they have a right to expect in return. In particular, older boys should show consideration to younger boys – helping them wherever and whenever possible and setting a good example.

Loyalty

Boys expect a great deal from the College and its staff, who give generously of their time and energy. In turn, the College expects much of its pupils in terms of commitment. We encourage all boys to take pride in their School and to contribute towards its achievements in all areas as a matter of loyalty to the community of which they are a part.

Commitment to work

St Benedict’s College is first and foremost an academic institution and we pride ourselves on the academic achievements of our boys and the academic history of the College. Boys come to the College to realise their talents by working hard, in co-operation with their teachers. We expect boys to try their best and commit themselves to the highest standards they can possibly achieve. It is the responsibility of each boy to hand in homework promptly, to be prepared for lessons, to bring the required books and equipment to lessons and to catch up on any work missed. There should be no need to be told to do this.

Punctuality & Attendance

Boys are required to ensure that they are in the right place at the right time, whether it be registration, assembly, lessons, sports practices or any other organized activity. Failure to do this disrupts the smooth running of the College and is discourteous.

Dress

Boys should dress appropriately and smartly while at school, on the sports field, on College trips or excursion visits and while journeying to and from the College. While in uniform they represent the College and should behave accordingly.

Self Discipline

Underlying all the principles set out above is the need for boys to exercise self discipline. We also expect boys to familiarize themselves with the College Code of Conduct and abide by it.

AIMS OF THE PASTORAL POLICY

The purpose of the College’s Pastoral Policy is to give individual attention to every boy enrolled in Grades 8 to 12. We aim to complement the work of the family in developing a boy’s moral views, his sense of responsibility, his self-reliance and his awareness of himself in relation to other people and the community. In so doing, we hope that we will prepare and empower each boy entrusted to our care to meet the challenges of life.

The Pastoral Policy contributes to the ethos of the College by attaching importance to the personal and social development of its boys, thus putting into perspective the many areas of College Life in which each boy participates. The aim is to offer the secure conditions which enable the individual to thrive among friends, and to create an environment which is stimulating, varied and challenging so that he recognises the diversity and individuality of others and the potential, importance and impact of his own attitudes, behaviour and efforts. It encourages each boy to develop a sound moral and practical philosophy.

The College’s Pastoral Policy aims to assist every boy so that he himself is able to deal successfully with those practical matters affecting his school and social life, and to utilise to the full, the academic, sporting, cultural and other opportunities offered by the College, including those leading to Tertiary Education and future careers.

THE ST BENEDICT’S PASTORAL STRUCTURE

Tutor System

Throughout the College boys are allocated to a Register Class according to their grade. There are five Register Classes in Grade 8 to 111 and sic in Grade 12. In line with Board Policy, class size is capped at 28 boys. Our register classes are named after prominent religious figures whose lives and works bear special significance for the College:

B – St Benedict
E – Fr Erasme’
F – St Francis
J – Blessed Joseph Gerard
M – Mary immaculate
T – St Thomas Aquinas

Each register class has a register teacher who controls and manages the boys in his/her class.

Register Teacher

The Register Teacher is responsible for the supervision, guidance and care of the boys in his/her Register Class, meeting them every morning at 7:20 am and (usually) teaching them one of their subjects during the week. Register Teachers keep records of attendance and academic progress for each boy in the group and are also aware of individual circumstances and needs.

In each grade, Register Teachers are assisted by an affiliated Grade 12 College Leader, who regularly joins the class during Registration to conduct uniform and dress inspections. The leader may, on occasion, conduct the morning prayer and is available to offer help and advice to younger boys.

Year Heads

Each grade has two Year Heads and a Deputy Headmaster who are responsible for the co-ordination of policies and practices within the grade. They take charge of all the arrangements and particular issues which affect that Year including pastoral care, disciplinary matters, academic progress and the administration of detentions.

Should parents feel that it is necessary to meet with representatives of the College to discuss, in particular, academic or behaviour concerns they may have about their son, they will meet with the Year Heads and the Deputy Headmaster.

Counsellor

In addition, the College has a full time counsellor, Ms T Lennox, who is available to boys who wish to consult someone other than their tutor or another member of staff. The Counsellor offers a confidential service to help and support boys who have needs which cannot be fully answered by the regular pastoral structure. Boys wishing to use this service should consult their Year Head. Further details concerning referral and confidentiality can be obtained from the Headmaster’s secretary. Appointments with the Counsellor may be scheduled during or after the school day. There is no cost.

Father Tony Daniels

The College also has a part-time Chaplain, Father Tony Daniels, who is based at Malvern Parish. Boys, parents and families in need or crisis may visit with Father Tony on a Wednesday morning. Appointments are made through the Headmaster’s Secretary. There is no cost.

MEDICAL CONCERNS

Medical concerns can be directed to the Year Head.

In general, if it is decided that a boy is not fit for lessons and should be sent home, the College Secretary will contact the parent or guardian and request that the boy be collected. When boys leave the school prior to the normal end of day, they are signed out by their Year Head/Deputy Headmaster. Parents sign boys out at the College Reception and must ensure that they collect an exit slip which must be presented to the security guard on duty at the main gate in Harcus Road. Boys are not usually signed out before first break or during the Integrated Day.

If a boy requires hospitalisation he will be taken either by ambulance or school minibus and will be escorted by a member of staff. His parents will be notified immediately and the escort will stay at the hospital until he/she is relieved by either parent or guardian.

Requests for leave of absence should be addressed to the Year Head. In cases of illness, parents should ring the College on the first day of their son’s absence. On the boy’s return to school, he must bring a note from his parents to his Register Teacher. For periods of lengthy absence, parents will be requested to sign an Academic Indemnity in which they undertake to ensure that they supervise the “catching” up of work lost.

Boys can take any questions or problems to their Register Teacher, Year Head of Class Leader (if it is preferable to make an initial approach to a boy rather than a member of staff). It they would prefer to speak directly to another member of staff, that is perfectly acceptable and the outline of responsibilities above may be helpful.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

Boys should not bring to school expensive items and large sums of money. If this is unavoidable they may be handed to staff for safe custody, particularly during Integrated Day and sport practices/fixtures. Boys should report any loss or damage to personal property to their Year Heads and, where an item has been thought to be stolen, also to the Deputy Headmaster. Boys must make use of storage racks provided to store their sports bags during the academic day. These racks are covered by a CCTV camera. During integrated day, boys are to ensure that their bags are locked in the cages provided for this purpose.

Although cell phones are allowed, these must be switched off during school times. Other personal electronic devices such as Ipods, PSP etc are not permitted.

Boys’ personal property should be marked clearly with their name if possible: it is very difficult to return unlabelled lost property to its owner. A lost property office is run from the College Reception.  At the end of each term, unclaimed lost property is sent to the College’s second hand shop or donated to charity. The second-hand shop operates from the After-Care Centre.

WHOM TO CONTACT ON PASTORAL MATTERS

The College takes complaints from parents very seriously and seeks to ensure that they are dealt with thoroughly, by the correct person at the appropriate level. Every reasonable endeavour will be made to respond to parents within 24 hours of the complaints being lodged in writing.

If a parent does not feel that the complaint has been dealt with properly, he/she should contact the College Headmaster in the first instance.

All staff may be contacted during school hours at (011)4551906/7/8/. Please bear in mind that the pastoral team are also subject teachers and it may be necessary for you to leave a message or to make an appointment.
 
Concerns about day-to-day administration, morale, academics, homework, extra-curricular activities or behaviour should be addressed to one of the Year Heads. The Year Head and the Headmaster should be informed of any major change in family circumstances. Should parents’ addresses or cell phone numbers change, this change should be brought to the attention of the Headmaster’s Secretary.

The Deputy Headmaster should be approached if parents have concerns about the operation of the pastoral system.

Issues of a purely academic nature can be addressed to the Head of Department or the Headmaster of the College. If in doubt, it may be best to ask the Year Head for advice as to whom to contact first.