WHEN it comes to making students feel safe, happy and respected, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is leading the way with its pro-active approach.
The school is using a software program developed by school chaplain Peter Cavanagh that identifies students who may not be feeling connected or do not fully understand their relationships with their peers. The program is used from Years 3 to 9 and also plays a significant part in the Year 7 transition process.
Trust mapping involves students placing each of their classmates on a five point scale, either trusted ally, friend, peace, unsure or actively against me.
The survey also allows students to name trusted allies outside of their class as well as students outside of their class who are ‘actively against me.’
They are then asked to list a staff member to whom they would go to with any issues to ensure they have a comfortable avenue to follow up on any concerns.
Once the data set is complete, it allows the school to ensure that the appropriate support is available for those students who require assistance, as well as create safety nets for students before it is required.
Head of St Paul’s Warragul Junior School, Rowan van Raay said: “The results of the trust mapping are shared with staff in the Junior School and allows us to be pro-active in our approach to pastoral care and create individual connection plans as required”.
