School based Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) at O’Connor refers to the care of the whole person. It is based upon the belief in the dignity of the person. Research ( Jacqueline Van Velsen, CEO WISA Wellbeing in Schools Australia) indicates that students with high levels of wellbeing are more likely to achieve high academically and complete school, have better health, and have greater participation in the workforce. Wellbeing is everyone’s business.

O’Connor’s Pastoral Academic Care program is based on this evidence that learning and wellbeing are inextricably linked. Our PAC Program includes coaching, learning conversations and goal setting. The PAC teacher plays a very important role in monitoring and building wellbeing. The Student Diary is based on a strengths based approach. It emphasises the strengths that people have and how they build their strengths in other areas. The key elements of the student diary are: Positive Engagement; Meaning and Purpose; Skills and Achievement; Relationship and Optimism; Strengths and Emotions; and Exercise and Health. These are the key elements needed to strive, thrive and flourish.

Pastoral Academic Care Framework

At O’Connor, each PAC class has two staff allocated. This allows for administration (rolls marked, daily notices etc to be done) to occur while learning conversations occur. PAC runs from 8.50 - 9.10 every day. PAC time is with both PAC teachers and has a focus on Resilience and coaching. Are students set up for the day? Do they have books, device, equipment etc.

Resilience and Connections

 

Year Leaders and PAC Teachers for 2020

Mr Mark Fulloon
Year 12 PAC Leader
Mark Fulloon

Year 12 Coordinator – Mr Mark Fulloon
PAC Teachers:
Mr Mark Harris / Mrs Megan Wooster
Mr Nicholas Bolger / Ms Regina Menz
Mr David Lush / Miss Melanie Sampson

Mrs Vicki Channon
Year 11 PAC Leader
Vicki Channon

Year 11 Coordinator – Mrs Vicki Channon
PAC Teachers:
Mrs Jennifer Roff / Mr Mark Honeysett
Mrs Jenny Frazier / Mr Ian Tonkin
Mr Peter McLeish / Mrs Ruth Patrick
Mr Stephen Kirkaldy / Mrs Lilly Moar

Miss Amanda Bell
Year 10 PAC Leader
Amanda Bell

Mr Frank Patricks
Year 10 PAC Leader
Frank Patricks

Year 10 Coordinators – Miss Amanda Bell & Mr Frank Patricks
PAC Teachers:
Mr Joseph Bell / Mr Stephen Chapman
Mr Bradley Powers / Mr Garry Osborne
Mrs Glenda Lemon / Miss Jessica Molkentin / Miss Phoebe Biddle
Miss Melita Roache / Mr Darryl Harper

Mr James Russell
Year 9 PAC Leader
James Russell

Year 9 Coordinator – Mr James Russell
PAC Teachers:
Mr Shane McCann / Mrs Janet Price
Miss Lauren Donnelly / Mr Bryan Allerton
Mrs Katie Biddle / Miss Elizabeth Plane
Miss Dea Trigwell-Lindley / Miss Annabel Cullen Mr Daniel Fittler / Miss Jessica Armfield

Mrs Kath Czinner
Year 8 PAC Leader
mrs-kath-czinner

Year 8 Coordinator – Mrs Kath Czinner
PAC Teachers:
Miss Elizabeth Campbell / Mrs Denise Fittler
Mr Damian Roff / Mr Anthony Kelly / Miss Kate Bloomfield
Mr Peter Trinh / Mrs Cheryl Leggatt
Mr Jon Hawthorne / Miss Jessica Suann
Mrs Renee Russell / Mr Michael Wooster

Mrs Natalie Mellowship-Brown
Year 7 PAC Leader
Natatlie Mellowship-Brown

Year 7 Coordinator – Mrs Natalie Mellowship-Brown
PAC Teachers:
Mrs Kaylene Osborne / Ms Florence Champion de Crespigny
Mr James Healy / Mrs Annne Healey
Mr Lloyd Honnery / Mr Matthew Griffin / Mrs Natalie Gurr
Mrs Cherie Stoessel / Miss Camilla Clydsdale

Dear Parents,

The use of technology in our society is increasing at an almost exponential rate. With this increase comes the challenge of managing technology at home. With the influx of a ‘screen culture’ many parents are looking for advice.

Here are three great informative websites that provide parents with not only the facts, for example the age of access to different social media sites, but also provide some helpful hints.

At O’Connor we will also be using these websites as part of our Pastoral Care Program.

www.esafety.gov Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner

  1. www.cybersmart.gov.au site

The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner leads online safety education for the Australian Government and protects Australian children when they experience cyberbullying by administering a complaints scheme.

www.commonsensemedia.org Common Sense Media

Common Sense is dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology.  We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives.

www.acma.gov.au Australian Communications and Media Authority

The ACMA is a government agency responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, the internet, radio communications and telecommunications. It contains a wealth of information. By searching ‘parents’ or ‘teenagers’ etc. lots of helpful facts and information can be found.

nda-2016-logo-4

At O’Connor Catholic College we aim to create a safe and supportive school community for everyone. Sometimes, it can be difficult for parents or carers to know what to do when their child talks to them about bullying.
You are an important part of our work to prevent bullying and to respond effectively if it happens. Stopping bullying involves everyone. For more information please see the download links below.

Bullying Letter                   Bullying Poster

Young people are busy working out who they are and where they fit in the world.  Being involved in community activities can give your child a positive way of understanding who they are and building their own resilience, and of gaining new perspectives on life and life experiences from the people they encounter, as well as creating a sense of being connected and contributing to the community.

A number of organisations have been working with O’Connor Catholic College for a number of years. Links below to those organisations;

PCYC
http://www.pcycnsw.org/armidale

Centercare

http://www.centacarenenw.com.au/

Additional information