Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care2022-03-10T14:46:47+10:00

Supporting CHAC students’ emotional and social development

The aim of the pastoral care program at Cannon Hill Anglican College is to instil in our students a sense of security and connectedness within the College. Pastoral care structures within the College have been developed to provide our students with a safe and caring learning environment.

At CHAC we believe supporting and promoting a learner’s emotional and social development and competence is as important as supporting academic development and competence.

A strong caring community develops in students a sense of self-confidence, respect for one’s self and others, and the strength of character to negotiate an increasingly complex society.

There are two psychologists and a counselling team at CHAC who work alongside the Learning Pathways Counsellor to provide for the combined emotional and vocational needs of students, and counselling to students and their families when required.

Visitors to the College often talk about the relaxed and friendly feel of the campus. This is deliberately fostered and nurtured through the following programs.


The House System and Homerooms

At CHAC there are six houses – Macleay, Moreton, Peel, Russel, St Helena and Stradbroke – all named after islands in Moreton Bay.

The House system is the fundamental pastoral structure within the College. It monitors the welfare, behaviour and appearance of the students. It also provides the structure for the College’s inter-House sporting competition and for fostering the further development of school spirit and a sense of inclusiveness.

The vertical Homeroom structure (Years 7 to 12) is an integral part of House organisation as it provides an encouraging, supportive, yet challenging environment in which students, staff and parents work collaboratively together. Primary students are allocated a House group whilst their Homeroom grouping is based on their class group.

In Homerooms, the Homeroom teacher has a particular responsibility to monitor the development of each student. In this pastoral group, activities are undertaken to develop healthy self-concepts, team building and decision-making skills as well as study and homework techniques.

Life and Faith Program

The Life and Faith Program leads students to an understanding of the spiritual aspects of their lives. Students are encouraged to explore the ethical and moral issues affecting themselves, their peers and society and to support the values of community life.

Campus Ministry is supported by the extensive Life and Faith program which is taught with great passion by members of the Campus Ministry team. This program gives every student at CHAC a grounding in the beliefs of the Christian faith, an understanding of other religions and the means by which to develop their own beliefs.

The Campus Ministry team, in partnership with Diakonos and the other Service groups within the College, has developed a framework for the Mission of Service within the College; that is, the articulation of the purpose and intention of the various activities which encourage and facilitate community service and care for others. This framework sets the Mission of Service within the wider mission of God and provides a context in which our students are able to meaningfully reach out to others.

Preparing for life after school

Students at CHAC are supported in their career decision making process by a well-defined careers structure that is built in a sequential manner as they progress through the school.

The College also provides students and parents with access to a regularly maintained and supported CHAC Careers website, which informs the education and training goal setting process, provides information on school based apprenticeship/traineeship vacancies, enhancement programs, tertiary studies, scholarships and much more.

The Learning Pathways Counsellor also works with Senior students throughout Year 12 to ensure that they meet all QTAC dates for application for university and TAFE study programs.

Leadership and Responsibility

The concept of servant leadership is central to the leadership program at the College. A formal program of leadership training begins in Year 4 with workshops that allow students to explore the different types of leadership and their individual strengths and abilities. In Years 6 and 10, students reflect on the elements of good leadership, and develop initiatives for their final year at school. All students in Year 12 are considered leaders and are encouraged to display their own unique and personal style of servant leadership.

The Student Council involves students from all Secondary years and one of its principal aims is to provide opportunities for students to acquire skills in leadership and decision-making. The Student Council assumes an important role in conveying ideas for the development of the College and its environment.

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