Student Services
Student Welfare includes the physical, intellectual, emotional and social well being of all students. While parents and families have prime responsibility for the welfare of their children, the whole school community shares some of this responsibility.
At Melrose High School, Student Welfare is enhanced by the work of the Student Services Team, the Peer Support program, Peer Mediation, Mentor program and lunchtime activities.
Students learn more effectively in a secure, ordered and well-disciplined environment in which both staff and students take pride in achievement. Students, as human beings, are capable of making choices and decisions. They must take responsibility for their own actions.
Discipline involves the development of appropriate and responsible attitudes and behaviours in students. It implies the development of self-discipline and the ability to distinguish right from wrong. Self-discipline can be taught by the implementation of a system of logical, known and consistent consequences. If students choose to do the wrong thing and they are aware of their decisions then they can, and must, accept responsibility for their own actions. Students choosing the right thing and acting responsibly are rewarded positively for their efforts.
The concern for student welfare is not limited to that small percentage of students who seem to have greater difficulty in coping. Our student welfare programs are developmental and preventative, as well as remedial, in order to enhance the well being of all students.
While there are times when teachers may need to take a more authoritarian approach to students, the ideal interaction between students and staff is of a more democratic nature where cooperation, participation and shared responsibilities are stressed. All members of the school community model mutual respect, eg. no " put downs."
Where possible, students are trained to use, and teachers trained to model, mediation and negotiation techniques, so that students can appreciate the fact that most disputes can result in both sides winning. A large number of senior students in Year 10 are especially trained to run Peer Mediation sessions, focussing on conflict resolution between students in a highly organised manner through specific communication strategies. This provides opportunities for lifelong learning as well as developing leadership skills.
For some students, and in some situations, competition can be a stimulant to achievement. However, in other cases, students are damaged by over-competition. The self-esteem of students is of prime importance to their welfare and achievement at school.
It follows then that at Melrose High School each student will:
- respect the working, learning and recreational environment of others
- take responsibility for his/her own learning and behaviour
- develop self-discipline through personal confidence and self-esteem
Melrose High School’s Student Services Team encourages cooperation and regular communication with all students and parents/carers. Close working relationships ensure that information flows readily and issues are resolved speedily. If parents/carers have any concerns about their child/ren the Year Advisor should be contacted and a solution will be sought as soon as possible. The Student Services Team values the input and feedback of the school community.
If you would like to contact the staff at the tudent services team for any reason please send an email to Student Services.
