The House System

From the middle years, students are allotted to a House which becomes the main pastoral structure. The House is a student’s home away from home. Every student is part of a Home Group. Within each House there are 6 Home Groups. The groups are small and remain as a team for three years.  In this way students are able to forge those vital relationships with each other, their Home Group Teacher and Head of House. Parents are also closely involved with House life, through the Parent Network. 

A number of important House leadership roles exist for students (School Captains, Senior School House Captains, Middle School House Captains). The roles are comprehensive and school-based leadership workshops; regular meetings and community forums support the development of their leadership skills. Peer support (older students supporting younger students) is an important part of the House leadership program. House Captains coordinate and chair fortnightly House Meetings.

The four Houses at St Johns are named after local identities that have made significant contributions to the growth of the Belair community: Halstead, Gooch, Moffatt and Prince.
 
Through House, students are supported in the management of the busy school lives. The key House staff include a Head of House and three Home Group Teachers, are constantly in communication with their students, ensuring they are well organised and making the most of the opportunities that abound at school. The House staff are regularly discussing students’ progress with other teaching staff and, of course, the parents.
 
A vibrant House Activities Program gives the students a large number of opportunities to represent their House in a number of activities. In pursuit of the House Activities Shield students compete against other Houses in a range of sports and public speaking, music eisteddfods, debating, chess, theatre sports and problem solving. The Athletics Day and Swimming carnivals are also exciting components of the program.

The House pastoral program follows three themes throughout the year. The theme of Service is actively supported with students identifying and supporting a number of community organisations. Guest speakers, opportunities to do service work in the local community and a set of activities related to Mental Health complement the fundraising work done.

A second theme of Relationships involves a range of activities, which help students build positive working friendships and promotes a sense of team.

The final theme is Success, where students regularly celebrate their own achievements and those of others and explore the idea of success through Program Achieve. Senior students identify possible career pathways and benefit from a host of visiting speakers who give insight into their successful careers.