A Place to Belong
As part of a system of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta, our students are treated with dignity and respect. Their safety and wellbeing are our top priorities. The wellbeing and safety of all students is central to the purpose of Catholic education and we acknowledge that healthy relationships and exceptional pastoral care are core to each child’s positive experience at school.
Schools in the Diocese of Parramatta have a strong focus on pastoral care, and in addition the support of our school counsellor, additional resourcing is provided for wellbeing initiatives overseen by the Wellbeing Coordinator. The Wellbeing Coordinator is supported by staff on the Wellbeing and Behaviour Team, Leading Counsellors as well as K-12 System Counsellors in the implementation of these wellbeing initiatives.
St Matthew's is committed to providing a learning environment where students can thrive, feel safe and supported, and are nurtured to grow, belong and be confident.
St Matthew's equips students with the knowledge and skills to cultivate their wellbeing through Religious Education, health, and wellbeing classes. We believe this sense of wellbeing and connectedness promotes healthy personal development in students and contributes to their academic success.
We support the social and emotional welfare of students and their families through effective strategies, recommendations, policies and procedures, guidelines and tools. Our strong focus on pastoral care includes school counsellors and wellbeing initiatives to support students.
Our school celebrates the inclusion of all students, supporting the learning needs of every individual and providing learning opportunities to build their social skills.
Our Wellbeing Initiatives
Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L)
This is a school-wide framework that focuses on promoting and rewarding positive behaviours in our school community.
Kindergarten Buddies Program
Our Year 6 students mentor our youngest students, learning responsibility and helping our Kindy students to settle in and feel welcome and safe.
Student Leadership Program for Year 6
Our student leaders are elected by peers and teachers and given specific roles of responsibility. They perform a variety of duties across the school including running assemblies and being ambassadors at special events.
Diversity Support Team
Offering support programs for students' academic, social and behavioural needs
School Awards System
Our awards system allows student achievement in both behaviour and academic performance to be noted, recognised and celebrated.
Intervention Programs
Students receive additional support when required through programs such as Reading Recovery, an early literacy intervention, and Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU), a research-based intervention approach to improve students' knowledge and confidence with maths.
Pastoral care programs at each year level are designed to help build resilience, independence and courage within each student.
Building Child Safe Communities
We are committed to providing children and young people with school environments where they are safe, informed and participate, and where the adult community works together with them towards making this happen.
Building Child Safe Communities
We care about every student
Contact St Matthew's today to find out how we can help your child.