I have come that you may have life and have it to the full' (John 10:10)

Pastoral Care at St Joseph's is concerned with the dignity and integral growth of the person.

We are made in the image of God and at the core of Catholic belief and practice is a deep respect for the innate dignity and uniqueness of individual persons.

As a Catholic school, St Joseph's receives and educates its students with respect and love. In a community that provides a strong sense of well being, belonging and security, students are given every opportunity to be affirmed in their dignity and worth, confirmed in their personhood, and assisted to grow to the fullness of their potential.

Pastoral Care at St Joseph's is concerned with formation in self‐discipline and responsibility.

Discipline policies, school rules and consequences are intended to promote the good order of the community of St Joseph's and, as such, are positive concepts. They can be viewed also as aids to the fostering of self discipline and responsibility, wherein students progressively grow in their capacity to exercise moral judgment, democratic values and a concern for the common good.

The following dimensions and features of Pastoral Care are current practice in St Joseph's College. They reflect fidelity and commitment to the Christian vision of Pastoral Care and include:

• Quality of Relationships
• Formation in Self Discipline and Responsibility
• Pastoral Programs
• Comprehensive and Inclusive Approaches to Teaching and Learning
• Supportive School/Family Relationships
• Effective Networks of Care
• Co‐ordinated and Supportive Organisational Structures.

All students are allocated to a House group and then allocated a Homeroom under the care of the Homeroom teacher. All homerooms have students from Years 7 to 12. Students stay with their homeroom teacher for six years so a relationship develops between students, homeroom teacher and parents/guardians. Matters such as care for students' well being, absence from school, uniform, general behaviour and student progress are referred initially to the Homeroom teacher.

The House Leader is responsible for the well‐being of all the students in the house.

A Student Wellbeing Team oversees the coordination of welfare services for students, staff and school families. The Home‐School Liaison officer visits parents in their homes to establish closer ties between home and school for the benefit of our students.

A programme is established for students with special needs and a special education teacher is available to assist with individual tutoring, modification of subject programmes and support for parents. Opportunities are also available for students who are talented in various ways.

The Student Planner is an official school document and should be reviewed regularly by parents, teachers and House Leaders to check that homework, assignments and other College information is accurately recorded. It has three main purposes:

• as a means of communication between home an school - subject teachers and homeroom teachers may communicate to parents on a student's educational programme and class behaviour via this planner, and parents can respond to teachers in like manner;
• as a means by which students can organize and plan their own homework and study commitments in an efficient way; parents are urged to make regular checks on the homework set; students should have their Planner with them at each lesson and homeroom assembly;
• to communicate details of key policies to parents and students including; Uniform Policy, Code of Behaviour/Discipline Policy, Safe Schools Policy, Internet Acceptable Use Policy

All students are encouraged to nominate for the SRC. The SRC is divided into two levels, Years 7 - 9, Years 10 - 12. Its aims are:

• to represent students and to provide a forum for their ideas;
• to assist in the planning and running of special events, assemblies and other school functions, as well as fundraising projects;
• to attend and assist at school functions, especially where guests are in attendance;
• to learn various leadership skills by participation and a raised profile in the school community;
• to act as role models with respect to College regulations and expectations of student behaviour.

The College Captains and Vice Captains are elected by the Senior Students and Staff and appointed by the Principal. They are a vital means of communication between staff and students and represent the College on many formal occasions both within the College and in the wider Sunraysia Community.

The four houses elect House Captains, Vice Captains and Age Group Leaders to assist staff in the organization of the House, especially for Carnivals, Masses and special events.

Year 7 students are assisted by Year 11 students to make a smooth transition to the College. Each Year 11 mentor meets with a small group of Year 7's on three occasions in terms 1 and 2. They play games and are involved in activities and discussions about friendship, self esteem, confidence, handling problems and starting secondary school. Year 11 students have been trained in the Peer Support Skills.