SUBJECT: PASTORAL CARE / HEALTH YEAR 7

THE PURPOSE OF THE COURSE:
Pastoral Care Health is an important Primary Prevention Program which aims to provide care and support for young people, develop a positive, caring school environment and promote a sense of belonging to school.

The Pastoral Care Health Program will provide the opportunity for students to meet regularly with their Pastoral Care Health Teacher in their Form Group. This will enable the Teacher to come to know the students in their Form Group and to assist in helping meet the needs and concerns of these young people, and assist in encouraging a sense of belonging. The Pastoral Care Health Teacher will be an important resource person in helping identify issues relating to the students' well-being.

THE CONTENT OF THE COURSE:
The Pastoral Care Health Course combines both a Pastoral Care component and key components from the Year 7 Health Course.

The main features of Pastoral Care will reflect important transition issues for the incoming Year 7 students - becoming familiar with important features, processes and policies of the school; the School Camp; being a responsible member of the school; organization and planning skills; making and keeping friends; understanding and being tolerant of others; enhancing self-esteem and confidence and a range of other related social-emotional issues and topics.

The Pastoral Care Health Program will enable the Pastoral Care Health Teacher and other appropriate staff to engage in discussion and programs with the students and address a range of issues and concerns that might arise within the group.

Key components in the Health Curriculum will include:

• Conflict/Problem Resolution - aggressive and assertive behaviour, decision making, being a good listener, addressing bullying and teasing.
• Feelings - understanding and managing feelings, dealing with anger, considering the feelings of others.
• Decision Making - what could/would/should you do?
• Body Image - Inherited characteristics, accepting our own body image, what makes me unique.
• Friends and Relationships - divided and changing loyalties, peer group influences.
• Adolescent Growth - growing up, childhood to adolescence (puberty), coping with and understanding body changes/developments.
• Risk Taking Behaviour - tobacco and alcohol, facts and consequences
  

THE ASSESSMENT IN THE COURSE:
Assessment in this course will be based on:

• Class participation - role play, presentations, group work, discussion groups.
• Appropriate written tasks and projects
• Homework tasks as required.