Caring for every student is a vital aspect of the life of Canberra Grammar School. Our approach to pastoral care stems from a fundamental belief that relationships are the key to success in teaching and learning, the key to development as an individual, and the key to bringing staff and students together. Sharing in meaningful and caring relationships is essential to the development of each student and is a primary concern of every member of staff.
At Canberra Grammar School students are encouraged to develop a positive self-concept enabling them to be receptive to learning and able to communicate with and work alongside others. Constructive relationships in-which students feel connected and respected form a base from which shared values, beliefs, routines and consistency in behavioural expectations are established. Through the establishment of constructive relationships we instil in our students a sense of belonging, connectedness and security.
We seek to live as a Christian community in which we provide our students with opportunities to explore, identify, explain, apply and evaluate their own values and attitudes and those of others. Within the Primary School the Bounce Back program explicitly teaches the core values of honesty, fairness, support, co-operation, respect, acceptance, freedom, equality and empathy. These values are explicitly explored and permeate through the life of the school.
Campus Directors
The organisation of the Primary School allows for ‘smaller schools' within the larger school. Within each of these ‘smaller school's there is a Campus Director whose prime focus is on providing enduring connection and pastoral care for all students and families within a specific part of the Primary School. In addition the Campus Director assists with the smooth transition from one part of the school to another and ensures that the learning environment is safe and attractive. The Primary School has a Campus Director and two Early Childhood Campus Directors – one at Northside and one at Southside.
Class Teachers
It is the class teacher who is the central provider of pastoral care in the Primary School. The class teacher builds personal knowledge of each student within their care – their interests, learning style, social well-being, academic ability and aspirations. They act as a role model, confidante and guide. It is the class teacher who will, with the students input, set the behavioural expectations and build a sense of security within and connectedness to the learning environment. Class teachers seek and establish productive and respectful connections with the families of the children in their care as they are mindful of the importance of the family and School working in unity.
Enrichment Team
At Canberra Grammar we have a team of teachers who support the work of the class teachers and Campus Directors. Consisting of a variety of teachers with complementary experience and qualifications, this team of teachers closely monitors student progression - encouraging excellence, the attainment of potential and the promotion of self-confidence. In doing so, this team of teachers delivers targeted individualised and small group learning programs, oversees the summative assessment program, supports class teachers in their planning and delivery of programs to accommodate a variance in learning needs and works closely with parents and out-of-school health professionals to provide a holistic approach to augment student achievement. This team of teachers is ably led by the Director of Primary Academic Education and includes staff with backgrounds in delivering a wide variety of programs including Reading Recovery, English as an Additional Language, Gifted Education and Learning Support.