Belonging key to student engagement

ADVERTORIAL

Clontarf Beach State High School’s unique House System and Care Program builds a sense of belonging and connection for each student and ensures they are ‘known’.

This approach is key to ensuring students remain engaged through a strong school community.

At enrolment, each student is assigned to one of four houses - Argo, Leo, Orion or Pegasus.

The school’s Care (roll call) classes have students from Years 7-12 from the same House and a Care teacher.

This class stays together for the duration of a student’s enrolment, and each student has a House Leader who looks after their holistic wellbeing and academic progress. There is a 10-minute care class each morning and a full period once a week.

Students are also encouraged to participate in Care challenges with their House throughout the year which encourages friendly rivalry and motivates students to achieve outcomes for their House.

“Rewards Day” excursions are held at the end of every term for students from the winning House to attend.

Principal Cath Pfingst says: “Our House System enhances student wellbeing by creating smaller, supportive communities, fostering relationships and enabling early personalised intervention for their learning.

“The Care program and weekly lessons encourage students to ‘bounce back’ and build resilience, making them lifelong learners.”

The House System was introduced in 2011 and has contributed to positive behaviour data compared to similar schools for more than a decade.

The House System evolved further in late 2024, adopting an inclusive approach to Case Management and Curriculum Design.

It came about after a need was identified for “differentiation of the curriculum to cater for diverse learning needs (through Curriculum Case Managers) and to ensure a consistent and inclusive approach to the wellbeing of students (through House Case Managers)”.

Results of the school’s Wellbeing Survey show students feel supported and known, systems and processes are clear and timely, and staff satisfaction is high.

Next steps include continuing to ensure the curriculum meets the diverse needs of all students, ensuring that the capability of all staff is developed, and supporting teachers with their own wellbeing and resilience.

Student belonging spaces

The Space Flexi-Space is a flexible learning environment for students not reaching their potential. It uses processes and small class sizes to create a safe space for students, which focuses on their strengths.

The Refresh Room gives students who need a ‘break’ or ‘time-out’, for about 10 minutes, access to ‘calm down’ spaces which are staffed by Case Managers. They can engage in activities or schoolwork.

The Reset Room is for students who need reflective time, with a focus on behaviour. With the assistance of school staff, they have access to schoolwork and intervention programs.

The Indigenous Room offers cultural, academic and emotional support as well as pathways assistance and the opportunity to check in with a Community Education Counsellor (CEC) or support officers.

Enrol now

To find out more about Clontarf Beach State High School’s approach to building belonging and community within a school setting, visit clontarfbeachshs.eq.edu.au or phone 07 3480 4777.