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Wellbeing
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Wellbeing
Pastoral Care
Wellbeing
House System
Wellbeing
Student Counselling

How students can “eXcel” at Padua College

The Wellbeing and Pastoral Care of our students is of upmost importance to all of us at Padua College. We recognise that when students have a healthy concept of self, can identify and regulate their emotions/thoughts and are resilient, their learning outcomes increase.

A key feature in building student connectedness and resilience is through the eXcel program. These lessons are held in homerooms which occur each Tuesday morning with their homeroom teacher.




Enable, Connect, Engage & Learn 

Our eXcel program is central in facilitating the whole school approach to a sense of wellbeing for our students.

eXcel affirms our College’s ongoing commitment to supporting ‘rich, deep and varied learning experiences’ for our students, so that they may develop as optimistic, resilient young people of faith, ready to be effective members of community, contributing to and enriching the world around them.


How we can eXcel at friendships...

with the help of ReachOut.com

Having good friends who love and support you for who you are is really important for your happiness. Figure out what makes a good friend, and learn how you can be there for your friends when they need you most.

Research has shown that the better the quality of your relationships, the more likely you are to be happy. So, being a great friend to someone and having friends support you back is good for your wellbeing. But what, exactly, makes a good friend?

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Think about what makes a good friend

The first step in making lasting friendships is knowing what to look out for in a friend. A good friend is someone who is there for you no matter what, doesn’t judge you, is kind and respectful, and is a good listener. These qualities are hard to judge when you first meet someone. But, there are some signs to look out for. For example, how do they treat other people? Do they talk about others behind their backs? Do they put people down? If a potential new friend is making you or someone else cringe, they’re probably not going to be a great mate.

Get involved

Getting involved with areas you’re interested in at school (like a sports team, band, drama club, etc.) is a great way to connect with like-minded people. Whether it’s your team’s huge win on the field or the play you’re rehearsing in drama club, you’re guaranteed to have something to talk about. If you’re not sure what club’s right for you, have a chat with the organisers of the groups to seek out what they’re all about.

Approach someone who’s on their own

It can be intimidating to walk up to a big group of people and strike up a conversation. It’s much easier to approach someone who’s on their own at lunch, or in class, and ask if you can sit with them.

Ask questions

You’ve probably heard it before, but people generally love to talk about themselves. Ask them about what they like to do in their spare time, their favourite subject, or what TV shows they’re watching. Then ask follow-up questions. For example, if they mention their  favourite show on Netflix - ask them what it’s about (or tell them you’re into it, too, if you watch it).

R U OK

R U OK Day comes around only once a year but the concept of checking in on our friends is an everyday opportunity.

How we can eXcel while being online...

with the help of Bully Stoppers
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Staying Safe Online

  • Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.
  • Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.
  • Keep your privacy settings as high as possible
  • Never give out your passwords
  • Don’t befriend people you don’t know
  • Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do
  • Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are
  • Think carefully about what you say before you post something online
  • Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude
  • If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately.

How we can eXcel at child safety

What is child abuse?
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  • Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological harm, neglect, and family violence.
  • Child abuse can also include grooming.
  • This is behaviour where an adult tries to establish a relationship or other emotional connection with a child, to prepare them for a sexual relationship.
Child abuse does not have to involve physical contact or force. It can include:
  • Controlling a child through threats
  • Exposing a child to sexual material and sexual acts
  • Exposing a child to family violence
What if my friend doesn’t want to tell an adult?
  • You should still tell an adult you trust on your friend’s behalf.
  • Even if your friend has specifically asked you not to tell an adult, you still should. It is more important to make sure that your friend is helped and feels protected.

What are your rights?

  • Everyone has the right to feel safe and be protected from abuse.
  • No one is allowed to threaten you, hurt you, or touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or afraid.
  • This includes all adults, other teenagers and children – it includes everyone from family members, coaches, teachers, to friends and strangers.
  • Every relationship should be respectful.
  • No one should ever involve you in sexual activity without your consent, and no one should behave in a way that makes you feel unsafe or afraid.
  • You don’t have to deal with abuse on your own. Talk to a trusted adult. Teachers and other adults at your school can support you to get help.

What should I do if I have been abused or I feel unsafe?

  • If you have been abused, or feel unsafe or threatened in any way you don’t have to deal with this on your own.
  • If you are in immediate trouble call 000 and ask for the Victoria Police.
  • Abuse is never your fault and you should tell a trusted adult so you can get the help and support you need to feel safe and protected. Talking to someone won’t get you in trouble.
  • You can tell a Child Safety Officer or Staff Member at school. They will be able to help you.
  • The Child Safety Officers contact details for each campus are on SIMON but if you are ever in doubt please email childsafe@padua.vic.edu.au
  • Visit eHeadspace (which provides an online and a 9am-1am telephone support service) www.eheadspace.org.au or 1800 650 850.
  • Call KidsHelp Line on 1800 55 1800 or visit www.kidshelpline.com.au for 24 hour support)

Pastoral Care


“A fundamental belief for Catholic schools is that in Jesus is seen God’s image and likeness in its human expression and that Jesus’ values and teachings show all people ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (John 14:6). In accordance with this belief, values to be promoted within a Catholic school’s understanding and practice of pastoral care include love, respect, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, repentance, reconciliation and justice.”


(Catholic Education Office Melbourne Pastoral Care of Students in Catholic Schools P1, 2016).


Pastoral Care is integral within any Catholic School. Padua College is no different and works purposefully to ensure students’ rights and responsibilities; and a holistic educational context for all students is a part of each student’s daily reality. In working across our campuses it is important for Pastoral Care to meet the needs of our students at differing ends of the teenage spectrum. Regardless of age, students require appropriate boundaries linking to College expectations and students’ rights and responsibilities.

Padua College offers a strong Pastoral Care program across Years 7-12 in an environment where young men and women are encouraged to journey in growth together through a wide range of school-based and extra-curricular activities. Students are encouraged to pursue numerous leadership opportunities offered such as Student Leadership; Liturgy Teams, Cross-Age Tutoring; Community Service and Justice Action Groups.

Pastoral Care involves the staff as much as it does the students. Students, staff and parents’ needs are initially supported by a group of 24 dedicated House Co-ordinators who are ably led by the Student Wellbeing & Growth (SWAG) Co-ordinator (Mornington Campus) or Co-Directors of Campus (Rosebud & Tyabb Campuses). The House Co-ordinator Team endeavours to focus their Homeroom Teachers on the House Patron's charism so that social justice is at the forefront of thinking and by doing so a sense of service to others is fostered. The walk and talk of pastoral care is as important (if not more so) than all that goes with it.

Padua College ensures that Child Safety is given the highest priority at all levels of engagement and the College community are fully aware of and conversant with the College’s policies on Child Safety.

House System

In keeping with the College philosophy of developing the whole person in an environment of community and service, the House System operates from Year 7 to Year 12. It is designed to develop and encourage a sense of belonging. The House System promotes the charism of the House Patron as an example for the students to follow and reflect in their own lives.

  • Each House has a Co-ordinator who is responsible for the overall development of each individual student's sense of belonging, loyalty and spirit in his/her House.
  • Each House is made up of several homeroom groups.
  • Siblings are in the same House, but in separate homerooms.
  • The homeroom teacher cares for the members of their homeroom and, as much as possible, the same homeroom teacher will remain with the students throughout their enrolment at a particular campus. Each student remains in the same homeroom group from Year 7 to Year 9.
  • The Senior 10-12 Campus homerooms consist of approximately 24 students in Years 10-12, who meet together every morning.
  • House Feast Days are celebrated throughout the year and House assemblies give students an opportunity to gather together to foster House spirit.
YEAR 7 - 9

In the 7-9 Campuses there are 16 houses, eight at Mornington; four at Rosebud and four at Tyabb.

YEAR 10 - 12

There are eight Houses in the Senior Campus.

Logos and colours for each of the Houses are available in the PDF download below.

Padua House System 2019 v2 LR


Student Counselling at Padua – October 2020

Student counselling at Padua College is available to assist students to develop appropriate skills and attitudes to manage the sometimes complex challenges of education in these times. Counselling is provided within the whole school pastoral context which involves staff and parents as required.

Who are we?

The Counselling Services Team at Padua College includes: Vice Principal – Students, Sam Wright, Pastoral Associate, Mo Cromar, together with experienced Psychologists, Mental Health Social Workers and a Youth worker.

Parents and Students talk to us for many reasons…
  • Finding that worrying is taking over, and/or have lost confidence
  • Tired of feeling sad and low
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Schoolwork may be overwhelming, or feeling under strain
  • Relationships with family or friends are not going well
  • Having lost something or someone important
  • Life looks OK on the outside; it feels like something’s missing or not quite right on the inside

Young people often have multiple pressures facing them at once, particularly with the ‘instant-ness’ of technology that surrounds them. We know that the most powerful antidote to suicide, violence and drug abuse is the sense of belonging people have in their lives.

Counselling is a chance to strengthen and reinforce a sense of connectedness to the adults in their lives including parents and school staff.

Counselling can promote one’s resilience and wellbeing and help students refocus their lives and discover what is important to them and move from “surviving” to “thriving.”

Home and school work hard in this journey together. We listen, support, encourage and guide our young people with creativity; a sense of humour; sometimes challenging them and establishing a great connection and trust but always looking for students’ strength and talents.

More information

If you explore the Padua College website under the Padua Community tab for links to a wide range of parenting information such as information on Cyber Safety; Occupational Health & Safety; Parenting Ideas; School Policies; Homework Help; Bus Information and a Drug and Alcohol Safety Resource Guide.

Staff Members
  • Anita Carter
    Counselling Team Leader
  • Mo Cromar
    Pastoral Associate
  • Jane Fletcher
    Psychologist
  • Jessica Price
    Psychologist
  • Kelly Butler
    Psychologist
  • Olivia Beale
    Mental Health Social Worker
  • Susan Jackson
    Mental Health Social Worker
  • Sandy McGuiness
    Mental Health Social Worker
  • Adrian Burrage
    Youth Worker
  • Ciara Hart
    Provisional Psychologist 2021 Intern
  • Rebecca Thomas
    Provisional Psychologist 2021 Intern
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