The Friends' School

The school runs a weekly Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) program aligned to Gathering with the Quaker Coordinator in the Meeting House. SEL is a structured program designed to promote positive wellbeing and to develop independent work skills. The Key Teacher System supports student welfare and maintains contact with parents as part of pastoral care. The school is explicit about caring for the academic, cultural, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development of every student. There are opportunities for parents to engage with staff about their child's welfare through meetings and information evenings.

Access & Inclusion provides programs in literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning, language programs and extension in the Primary School. The Primary School's Support Centre is staffed by three teachers, four part-time learning assistants and a part-time psychologist, with a speech pathologist and an occupational therapist working closely with staff. In the Middle and Senior Schools, Learning Support is offered through a Subject Support study line, in-class support and peer-assisted learning via a Student Mentor program. The Subject Support program is designed to underpin the core curriculum and provide small-group or 1:1 support within the main studies. Specialist inclusion teachers work with Tutors, classroom teachers and learning assistants to understand and address diverse learning needs, including targeted supports to build resilience and independence.

Language programs are included in Access & Inclusion across the Primary and Middle Schools. In Years 7 and 8, students study one language for the full year, choosing from French, German or Japanese. In Year 8, students continue the continuation of their chosen language. Chinese classes have been introduced historically as part of curricular development, reflecting a broad language provision.

The Senior School provides wellbeing offerings including yoga, personal fitness and adventure education courses, as well as dedicated services for pathway planning and counselling. The Pastoral Care program centers around Tutor Groups which support students' development and fosters a learning partnership between the School, students and families. The Senior School also offers dedicated services for pathway planning, counselling and access to an onsite educational psychologist. Gatherings and the school's pastoral practices support reflective practice and the development of the whole person.

The School maintains a deep and ongoing commitment to child safety. Tasmania's Standards mirror the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and The Friends' Safeguarding Children Policy and related Mandatory Reporting Policy Standards and Expectations became effective on 1 March 2022. Policies and guidelines cover safeguarding, reporting processes and student/child protection. There are explicit channels to raise concerns: reporting forms, Safe email and flowcharts for reporting. The School joined the National Redress Scheme in August 2019.