We understand that each age and stage of development can be challenging for some of our students – whether they are just starting out in school, going through adolescence, or working through their final years. We know our students will thrive if they have a strong sense of belonging, feel seen and understood, and know they have a support structure around them to help them through their time Mercedes.
They determine who we are, what we do and how we treat each other.
There is a defined structure in place for all student wellbeing care, which included the Heads of Schools, Wellbeing and Learning Enrichment Team.
They meet regularly, and share insights about students in their care, to ensure that no one slips through the cracks, but also no one hides in the cracks.
We pride ourselves on saying that ‘every child is seen’ which means all staff are informed, aware and involved in the day-to-day care and input of our students.
College leadership prioritises wellbeing across all year levels through pastoral care programmes, and a specialist team including a Psychologist, College Counsellors, and a qualified Health Administrator.
CARE is the framework that underpins all of our wellbeing initiatives at Mercedes College.
It is at the heart of how we connect and work with students, to ensure that no students slips through the cracks, and no student hides in the cracks.
Connect – each interaction builds trust and positive relationships with our students and families
Assess – staff observe student behaviour and interactions to identify their individual needs
Respond – staff provide timely, appropriate support tailored to each student
Empower – students are given the skills, strategies, and confidence to focus on their wellbeing
We have CARE Teams consisting of:
Heads of School (Chair)
Counsellor from the Wellbeing Team
Learning Enrichment Team member
These Teams meet regularly to review pastoral care notes, attendance records, academic results, and other key data to identify those students who might need a higher level of wellbeing support.
Wellbeing at Mercedes College is a shared responsibility of all staff. It does not sit in isolation with the Wellbeing Team.
All staff observe, document, connect, and refer early to help support students.
Our Learning Enrichment Team provides targeted intervention programmes and learning adjustments to ensure the learning and social development aspects of school are monitored and supported.
Our Team of Counsellors provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 support, consultation, and case management to ensure those students who need additional support with their overall wellbeing are identified early.
Year Level Leaders monitor and liaise with Home Group Teachers on a regular basis, and keep in touch with families, to ensure that any concerns and identified and elevated through our CARE framework.
The Heads of each sub-school – Junior, Middle, Senior Schools – manage our CARE Framework and are the drivers to ensure that regular monitoring of all students is shared with their CARE Team to allow all students to be truly seen and heard within our College.
In addition to our CARE Wellbeing Framework, we have dedicated programmes and initiatives to support students in different aspects of their learning journey. These work across the whole College and provide complementary care and support through group activities, one-on-one interactions and wider shared connections.
Every year, our Year 9 students are given the opportunity to participate in an optional curricular extension programme that explores and challenges gender stereotypes, expectations, and misconceptions.
On a practical level, it allows boys and girls to separate from their co-ed environment and spend time discussing and sharing issues that are relevant to their personal experiences.
Each programme (split by gender) runs for one term and allows students to spend time discussing topics that are important and relevant to them, at this age and stage of their personal, physical and emotional development.
Each programme is built around structured, teacher-facilitated, judgement-free discussions and immersive practical activities.
There is also a schedule of guest presentations where participants are empowered to build strong social relationships and a deeper understanding of self and of others, specifically gender differences.
We run a specialised Student Mentoring Programme (SMP) across our College to support students from Reception to Year 12.
This programme matches volunteer members from our community – parents, current students, Old Scholars – with students who need a little extra support.
This allows the student to form a new connection, enjoy some one-on-one engagement with a mentor, and share time with someone outside of their family or teacher circle.
Regular mentoring is tailored to match each student to provides benefits that meet individual needs, including building social skills and self-confidence, helping navigate friendships, or practicing resilience.
The programme also builds connection and community and allows others to share their wisdom, experience and time with those students who need additional input.
As a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition, our faith and spirituality programme ensures students benefit from spiritual development alongside their academic development.
This takes the form of Liturgies and Masses, as well as dedicated Reflection Days and overnight Retreats that encourage deeper exploration of faith and humanity.
An emphasis on global understanding and service, embedded in the International Baccalaureate, further supports this holistic approach.
