OUR BEGINNINGS IN 2007 & 2008
Read about our High School and Elementary School division beginnings.
As a Lasallian Catholic school, Pastoral Care is central to our ethos and identity. Our Mission statement calls for all of us in the SJI International Community to work together to enable our children to become people of integrity and people who show care and concern for others.
The patron saint of teachers and our school, St John Baptiste de La Salle, stressed the need for teachers to touch hearts. In following the lead taken by our patron, we aim to ensure that our children feel that they matter and are highly valued and loved.
We care for our children, with the development of the whole person as a high priority. The foundation and inspiration for the care offered to our children come from a commitment to the Gospel and the person of Jesus Christ.
Pastoral Team
The Pastoral Team includes; Vice-Principal, Assistant Principal (Student Success), School Counsellor, Learning Support Team and EAL (English as an Additional Language) coordinator. The team works together to ensure that all children can access the curriculum and that any support, academic or pastoral, is provided, where possible.
Our School Nurses provide immediate First Aid assistance. They also work with teaching teams to advise them on meeting the medical needs of specific children. The nurse liaises with specialist medical providers, parents and class teachers to assist families in implementing medical plans during the school day.
Our School Counsellor works with teachers, individual children and families to empower them with strategies to support their well-being. She supports children with specific social-emotional and behavioural needs. Our counsellor also works with families in times of need or difficulty. All counselling sessions are confidential.
Our Virtues Facilitators lead our work on character education. The 52 identified virtues of the Virtues Programme are an essential element of our pastoral and character education programme; they are the “content of our character”. All teachers in our school incorporate the Virtues into our everyday life using these five strategies :
- We speak the language.
- We recognise teachable moments.
- We set clear boundaries
- We honour the spirit by finding meaning and joy in small things.
- We offer companionship by listening empathically and being present.
Religious and Moral Education (RME) Program
Through Our Religious and Moral Education (RME)program, children from Grades 1 to 6 explore aspects of personal growth through religious and moral themes. The RME curriculum is specially tailored to the needs of our international school. It deepens children’s understanding of their being, their relationship with family members and others, and their place in a culturally and religiously diverse world.
Safeguarding
A crucial part of pastoral care in the school is keeping our children safe and free from harm. The Vice Principal, Pastoral leads on all matters relating to Safeguarding and Child Protection, including training all staff and extended community who work directly with our children.
Promoting Positive Behaviour and Well-being
Students are consistently praised and rewarded for their positive behaviour and for using their virtues within the school. WOW, cards and Merit Certificates are used to praise and reward students publicly. Should a student display inappropriate behaviour, it is managed in a sensitive, restorative manner based on Virtues. The school builds positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with families to help manage indiscipline.
Promoting well-being involves our whole community and is multifaceted. In addition to strategically planning for well-being events, the day-to-day interactions with our students, their engagement in life, and the school's work are paramount to securing their well-being.
