Helping every member of our community thrive

At The Cathedral School, we believe wellbeing and learning are inseparable. When people feel safe, connected and supported, they are better equipped to learn, grow and contribute to their community. Guided by our Christian values, we foster a culture where students, staff and families feel known, valued and encouraged to flourish.

Need help now?

If you or your child needs support, please reach out as early as possible.

School Contacts
External Support
ServiceWho it’s forContact
Kids HelplineAges 5–25, 24/7 counselling1800 55 1800 · kidshelpline.com.au
headspaceAges 12–25, mental health support1800 650 890 · headspace.org.au
LifelineAnyone, 24/7 crisis support13 11 14 · lifeline.org.au
Beyond BlueAnyone, 24/7 mental health support1300 22 4636 · beyondblue.org.au
eSafety CommissionerOnline safety, cyberbullying, image-based abuseesafety.gov.au

If there is immediate risk to someone’s safety, call 000.

Supporting students

Every student has access to a network of people who care about their wellbeing, including pastoral care and mentoring, Tutors and Heads of School, School Counsellors, Health Centre services, and boarding support. Through social and emotional learning, mental health and resilience education, respectful relationships education and anti-bullying initiatives, we help students build the skills to navigate friendships, academic pressure, and life’s bigger challenges.

We encourage students to seek support early — help is always available.

Our approach: the ReLATE Framework

The Cathedral School is partnering with the MacKillop Institute on a three-year journey (2025–2027) to embed ReLATE (Reframing Learning and Teaching Environments) across our school. ReLATE is a whole-school framework, proven in Primary, Secondary and P-12 settings, that shapes how we care for one another in the classroom, in pastoral care, and across daily school life.

It’s built on four foundational concepts:

  • Safety — creating consistently safe physical and emotional environments
  • A counter-stress school environment — recognising and responding well to stress and its impact on learning
  • Enhanced teaching and learning — trauma-informed, relationship-based practice grounded in an understanding of how people learn and regulate emotion
  • Sustainable whole-school culture — building a shared language around wellbeing, self-care and reflective practice that staff and students carry forward

 

Because it starts with how staff are trained and supported, ReLATE helps ensure every adult in a student’s day — teachers, tutors, pastoral staff — shares a consistent, trauma-informed approach to care.

ReLATE Website
Digital wellbeing and online safety

Technology plays an important role in education and everyday life. We help students build healthy digital habits — respectful online behaviour, critical thinking, privacy awareness, responsible technology use, and how to recognise and respond to cyberbullying and other online challenges.

More digital safety guidance
Online Safety with Dr Kristy Goodwin
Creating a safe and respectful community

The Cathedral School is committed to a safe, inclusive and respectful environment where every student can learn with confidence. Bullying, harassment and unsafe behaviour have no place in our community, and students are encouraged to seek help whenever they are concerned for themselves or someone else.

Partnering with families

Families are essential partners in student wellbeing. Open communication and collaboration help us provide consistent support so students feel confident, connected and ready to learn. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to contact the School whenever they have concerns about their child’s wellbeing, learning or engagement.

Supporting our staff

The wellbeing of our staff is equally important to the strength of our community. We’re committed to a positive workplace where employees feel supported, respected and valued throughout every stage of their careers and lives. Our ReLATE Framework (see above) puts staff wellbeing, self-care and emotional regulation at the centre of how we support one another, alongside students.

Supporting staff through parenthood

The Cathedral School partners with DearMe, a maternal wellbeing platform supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum and early motherhood, offering a private, flexible space for guided reflection and evidence-informed resources.

DearMe Digital
Our wellbeing programs

Pastoral Care

Care of students in the Senior School is based on a House system.

The House Tutor plays a significant role in the social and academic development of the students. The House Deans are responsible for the overall pastoral care of all students in their Houses and assist the Tutors when required. The House system also forms the basis for many of the social and sporting activities and students identify strongly with their House.

ReLate Framework

Our whole-school wellbeing and trauma-informed practice model (see above).

Transition & orientation programs

Orientation is a vital process for new students at Cathedral. Students will receive relevant information from the Head of School regarding orientation tours for Junior, Middle, and Senior School students. Orientation is compulsory for International Students.

Orientation at Cathedral

Student leadership

Student Leadership at The Cathedral School empowers students to lead with integrity, confidence and service. Through roles such as School Captains, House Captains, Prefects, Student Representative Council members and other leadership opportunities, students develop the skills to inspire others, build community and make a meaningful contribution to school life. Leadership at Cathedral is about setting a positive example, serving others and helping shape a culture where everyone can thrive.

Service learning

Service Learning at The Cathedral School encourages students to make a positive difference by putting compassion, leadership and responsibility into action. Through opportunities such as the Leo Club, community volunteering, fundraising initiatives, environmental projects and local service partnerships, students develop empathy, resilience and a genuine commitment to helping others. By serving both the school and wider community, they learn that meaningful leadership is built on kindness, action and a desire to contribute beyond themselves.

Outdoor Education & wellbeing camps

The Cathedral School has a leading outdoor education program that begins from Year 2 and continues through to Year 12.

Outdoor Education

Chapel & faith development

Our Chaplains provide pastoral care and support for students across the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, offering a welcoming presence for guidance, encouragement and conversation. Grounded in the Anglican tradition, faith and values are woven throughout the life of the School, fostering compassion, respect and service. The Cathedral School warmly welcomes students and staff of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds, creating an inclusive community where every individual is valued and encouraged to explore their own beliefs with understanding and respect.

Boarding wellbeing initiatives

Our Boarders have weekly activities aimed at supporting the physical, social and emotional needs of students. These involve activities such as the Castle Hill and Strand ‘wellbeing’ walks, regular games and social activies, and onsite support from boarding staff and the school’s on campus health centre.

Peer support

Peer Support at The Cathedral School helps students build positive relationships, strengthen their sense of belonging and support one another through every stage of school life. Guided by trained student leaders and staff, the program encourages teamwork, resilience, empathy and confidence, helping younger students transition successfully while fostering a caring, inclusive community where everyone feels connected and supported.

Resilience education

Resilience Education at The Cathedral School equips students with the skills and confidence to navigate life’s challenges, build healthy relationships and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Through age-appropriate wellbeing initiatives, including The Resilience Project, students develop practical strategies centred on gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and emotional literacy, while programs such as the Healthy Minds Project further strengthen leadership, resilience and positive mental health. Together with the School’s strong pastoral care framework, these initiatives help students develop resilience, confidence and a lifelong sense of wellbeing.

Mental health awareness events

Throughout the year, The Cathedral School marks initiatives such as Mental Health Week and R U OK?Day to promote positive mental health, encourage meaningful conversations and strengthen our culture of care. These events provide opportunities for students and staff to build awareness, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and learn how to recognise when someone may need support. By encouraging connection, empathy and open dialogue, our community helps ensure that no one has to face challenges alone.

Stymie & RAP (QUT)

The Cathedral School is committed to creating a safe, respectful and supportive environment where every student feels heard. Through Stymie, students can confidentially report concerns about bullying, harm or wellbeing, empowering the School to respond early and provide appropriate support. Complementing this, the Resilience, Awareness and Prevention (RAP) program helps students develop the knowledge and confidence to recognise challenges, seek help when needed and support the wellbeing of themselves and others. Together, these initiatives foster a culture of care, inclusion and shared responsibility across the School community.

Student Protection

The Cathedral School supports the rights of children and young people and is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students.  The Cathedral School is committed to responding to allegations of student harm resulting from the conduct or actions of any person including that of employees. Please refer to the school’s Student Protection Manual for further information.

This commitment includes the provision of a safe and supportive living and learning environment for all students and requires all employees, volunteers and visitors to model and encourage behaviour that upholds the dignity and protection of students from harm.

eSafety Commissioner
https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Wellbeing resources
Students
Families
Staff
Our commitment

Wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. By caring for one another and working together as students, staff and families, we create a community where every person feels known, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential.

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