Pastoral Care at Northside Christian College provides a supportive environment that helps students develop social, emotional, and academic skills, build self-esteem and confidence, and navigate the challenges of adolescence. At Northside we see a strong pastoral care program as an investment in the well-being and success of our students.
Junior School
The Junior School Community is based on the 3 Rs: Respect, Responsibility, Relationships.
Students are encouraged and discipled to build “Character through Christ” and to develop healthy relationships. Our pastoral care programs are anchored in building healthy relationships with peers, teachers, parents and with God.
Character Development
Junior School at Northside focuses on character development alongside academic development and co-curricular endeavours.
Leadership development
The cornerstone of Northside’s leadership program is our motto, “Character through Christ”. Teachers, staff and students strive to model Christian character, backing our words and beliefs with godly behaviour, steadfast faith and acts of love. Year 5 students have the opportunity to express interest in Year 6 leadership positions. There are male and female Captains, Vice-Captains and House Captains.
There are four sports houses to which every student and teacher is allocated: Booth, Elliot, Graham and Wesley. In these groups, students establish a sense of belonging and experience opportunities for friendly competition.
Read more about Leadership Development at Northside Christian College
Chums and PALS
Upper primary students engage in hands-on leadership practice in the PALS and CHUMS programs. Year 6 PALS lead activities and initiate play and learning opportunities for younger students while CHUMS are buddies who give younger students a caring older ‘brother’ or ‘sister’.
CARE Program
CARE program provides a framework for the development of Christ-like character, social skills and leadership skills. Each of the four attributes is represented by a slogan and a Scripture - along with character names and puppets in lower Junior School.
CARRIE COURTESY
I Respect Others - A courteous person is well-mannered, kind, cooperative, considerate.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Matt 7:12
ABEL ATTITUDE
I Can Do It - A person with a positive attitude is open to God, enthusiastic, persevering, teachable, responsive.
“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13
RUBY RESILIENCE
I Can Overcome - A person who is resilient is confident, positive, overcoming, assertive, self-accepting, and faithful.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6
EDDIE EXCELLENCE
I Do My Best - A person striving for excellence is honest, responsible, punctual, tidy, focussed, and diligent.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Col 3:23
Bridge Builders
To equip students to be resilient and effective communicators empowered to deal with everyday conflict, the BRIDGE BUILDERS® program provides simple, faith-based skills that teach constructive, peaceful approaches to respond to conflict or bullying.
Its foundations lie in a Christian worldview with its core purpose to reflect Jesus’ command in John 13:34: “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you.”
Mission and Service
To encourage students to follow Christ’s example in loving others, all students from Prep to Year 6 participate in the mission program which includes:
- Sponsorship of disadvantaged children
- Raising money for a variety of local and international ministries
- Praying for the people they help
Read more about Faith in Action at Northside
Secondary School (Years 7-12)
In Secondary School, each Form Class has a Form Teacher who is responsible for the direct pastoral oversight of students in that Form.
Form Teachers take on a pastoral role and are available to encourage and assist students, in relation to all areas of life and learning at College. The role of the Form Teacher is not to be punitive but pastoral and administrative and to take concerns to the Year Level Coordinator.
Year Level Coordinators (YLCs) Year Level Coordinators are responsible for the oversight of the students in a year level (YLCs). These staff members also take an active role in the discipline chain of the School.