Merici College

Pastoral Care operates through the House system and the Student Success Program to support students' academic and personal growth. The program identifies learning needs, provides study-skills support, and links students to resources to improve outcomes. Merici College has a School Counsellor team that focuses on the emotional, social and educational wellbeing of students; Counsellors offer individual sessions, work with families and teachers, and refer to specialist services when appropriate. A Defence School Mentor supports Defence families with mentoring, personal and social wellbeing. The College emphasises wellbeing as part of its mission, with restorative and relationship-based practices informing its approach to student support.

Merici College identifies and supports students with disability through the Inclusive Education team. The Inclusive Education Coordinator supports staff and students to remove barriers to learning, and the Head of IB liaises with the Inclusive Education Coordinator to ensure inclusive education. The school uses a range of assessments and diagnostic tools to identify additional learning needs and to plan appropriate supports. Reasonable adjustments are made to enable access to the curriculum and participation in school life for students with disabilities. All Years 7-10 students study an additional language to English, and multilingualism is supported as part of inclusive practice.

English is the language of instruction. The curriculum supports students for whom English is not their best or first language, with additional support where needed. Merici College values multilingualism and learning diversity. All students attending Merici College in Years 7-10 will study an additional language to English in line with IB policies.

The School Counsellor team focuses on the emotional, social and educational wellbeing of Merici students. Counsellors provide individual sessions, group work, and family consultation, and may refer students and families to specialist services when appropriate. Typical concerns include depression, anxiety, fears, anger, family conflict, self-harm, loss and grief, peer relationships, stress, and trauma; Counsellors are available during the week and can be engaged via the pastoral care process. The Pastoral Care system and Student Success Program support students' holistic development and timely intervention when needed.

Merici College complies with Child Safe Standards and has a Child Safety Policy outlining safeguarding commitments. The safeguarding approach involves staff, students and families in a web of practices, and includes clear processes for raising concerns or complaints and for engaging with external agencies when required. Concerns and complaints can be raised and are handled fairly, confidentially and promptly under published policies; the Principal or a designated senior officer may resolve more complex matters, with escalation to the Catholic Education Office when appropriate. The College's safeguarding framework is supported by the Statements of Practice, including Pastoral Care & Wellbeing, and a formal Complaints Management process.