Pastoral Care

Providing a supportive environment for students to enhance their learning is not only a cornerstone of the school’s vision, but something that over time has become a real strength and tradition within the school.  The school has gained a significant reputation for the quality of the structures and programmes we have in place to support the pastoral care needs of our students.  Teachers are committed to the idea that students learn best when they have the support they need available and accessible when they need it.

Tutor Groups, House System, Deans, Counsellor, Support Agencies

Tutor Groups

Vertically integrated tutor groups are designed to break down the traditional hierarchy found in many schools and create a strong bond between students in different year levels.  It also allows students to develop a meaningful relationship with their tutor, a teacher who will normally remain that student’s first point of contact throughout their time at school.  A twenty-minute meeting each morning allows Year 9 - 13 students to mix together in a variety of group and personal development situations.  These include group and house activities, learning-to-learn situations and opportunities for senior students to develop key leadership and mentorship roles.

House System

The House names stem from the links Dunstan has to the local area – representing the directions from which the school draws it’s students.

Haast.   Haast is the name of the pass connecting the East and the West of this part of NZ. A Pounamu trail of the past followed the Clutha to Lake Wanaka and over the pass to the West Coast. 

Pyke. Pyke was a major founding administrator and politician of the Central Otago Community. He was also an important chronicler, or recorder, of local events. We acknowledge the importance of such leadership, community spirit and leaving a legacy for others to follow.

Rees. William Rees a successful man, a pioneer, a risk taker, honest and trustworthy and determined to see his goals fulfilled. Founded Queenstown.

Caples. Seeking gold; finding a way forward; confidently overcoming obstacles.  Being strong within and yet not overbearing.   Pride / Tact / Empathy / Self-assurance.

Each tutor group belongs to one of the four Houses. Each House is led by two Deans; one is responsible for the pastoral care of students, and one who is responsible for their academic progress.  The Deans work together with tutor teachers to provide a web of monitoring, support, discipline and fun for the students of their house.  They meet as a house group once each week to discuss student support needs – and this allows all staff to be involved in the support and guidance of students in their house and tutor groups.  This group also makes and monitors referrals to specialist support staff.  In this way the house system provides an integrated vertical structure for student support and guidance in the school.

House culture is a strong at Dunstan. Students and staff have a lot of fun supporting their House and working together to achieve success. The house system provides an important framework for the development of collective identity and a sense of belonging in the school.  Once a week each house meets in an assembly to recognise individual achievements and work on House activities or prepare for inter-house events.  Inter house events are often fiercely competitive occasions.  They usually produce the moments of enthusiasm, heightened pride and desire for success that we hope students will associate with being at school and be able to transfer to their learning. 

Deans

Deans are the first person students and parents will see for support beyond that which your tutor can offer.  They often act a liason between students and classroom teachers, and between school and home.  Deans can support students in many ways and often taking the time to talk issues through with a Dean is all that is needed.  At other times Deans may refer students onto other support professionals or agencies.

Counsellor

The school Counsellor is available to all students by making an appointment at the office.  The school counsellor offers a confidential counselling service – and can often be the independent listening ear that students need to help them through difficult times or provide the resources and tools to help students with difficult decisions.

Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour

The RTLB teacher is a specialist in examining individual students learning and behaviour management needs and helping students and teachers to work together to meet these needs if this becomes difficult in a normal classroom situation. 

Special Needs

External Agencies

Dunstan has strong links with the following agencies designed to offer support and assistance in the health and wellbeing of young people in our community.

Youth Workers

MOE- Group Special Education

Adolescent Mental Health Team

Public Health Nurses

Local Doctors

Police Youth Aid