At The Armidale School, wellbeing is the foundation upon which academic excellence is built, character is formed, and young people are prepared to lead lives of purpose and contribution. Guided by our strategic vision of Excellence Inspired by Character, Built Through Challenge, we believe that every student deserves to be known, noticed, and valued.
Pastoral care at TAS is about genuine connection. It's about ensuring every student knows they belong, that they matter, and that there is always someone in their corner. This is the foundation from which our young people grow.
- Ms Bronwyn File, Deputy Principal
Our Values: Connected • Committed • Courageous
We are Connected
Relationships and community are at the heart of life at TAS. Students feel known, supported, and valued across every setting: the classroom, their House, the boarding community, and the wider school. Through authentic connection, students develop social capabilities; empathy, effective communication, and the ability to build meaningful relationships; alongside a global perspective that recognises their place in something larger than themselves.
We are Courageous
Students are encouraged to step forward, embrace challenge, and stretch their capabilities; academically, socially, and personally. At TAS, courage is not fearlessness; it is acting with integrity, purpose, and persistence, even when the path is difficult. This courage builds resilience and the confidence to make a positive difference in the world
We are Committed
Students learn the value of showing up fully; to their learning, their relationships, their responsibilities, and their community. Through disciplined effort, sustained service, and consistent contribution, TAS cultivates perseverance, self-discipline, and responsibility. This commitment develops the intellectual capabilities and practical life readiness that are essential for meaningful contribution to society.
Pastoral Care in Junior School
Specialised Middle School Pastoral Care
Senior School Pastoral Care
TAS Junior School is an intimate, nurturing environment where every student from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 5 is personally known by their teachers. While the classroom teacher serves as the primary point of connection; responsible for knowing each student's strengths, challenges, and needs; our Junior School functions as a true village of care.
The small size of our Junior School creates a unique advantage where staff across the school know and interact with all children, not just those in their direct care. Our Junior School Wellbeing Coordinator provides both proactive support for all students and targeted assistance for those requiring additional attention, including access to the School psychologist.
The Head of Junior School plays a vital role in this wellbeing network, both as a point of escalation when necessary and as an accessible support for daily challenges. This multi-layered approach ensures every young learner feels safe, known, and valued within our Junior School community.
Between Years 6 to 8, boys and girls really begin to question the world and their place in it and they need to be given the opportunity to do just that in a safe and secure environment.
In Middle School, there is a focus on communication, explanation and exploring situations - trying to make sense of what happens and why. This occurs through Advisor time which is four 20 minute sessions a week as well as in Town Meetings where all Middle School students meet and discuss issues of concern.
Middle School Advisors are selected because they are amazing listeners and are sensitive to students’ individual needs and interests. Pastoral care is authentic and supported by the school’s Wellbeing Team.
The pastoral care structures in the Senior School form a close network centered around Heads of House as the key pastoral leaders for all students, both boarding and day. Advisors meet most days with students in smaller vertical groups, providing consistent touchpoints for connection and support.
In Year 9, students join a vertical advisor group alongside students from Years 9 to 12. They remain with their assigned Advisor throughout their Senior School journey, ensuring continuity of pastoral care and advocacy. Combined with the deep insight Heads of House have about all students in their care, the knowledge academic staff have about their students, and the vigilance of the Wellbeing Team, our students are supported by a solid, reliable network of care.
The Wellbeing Leadership Team
Our Wellbeing Leadership Team, chaired by the Deputy Principal, ensures a unified, relational approach to pastoral care across the whole school. The team comprises:
- Junior School Wellbeing Coordinator (Junior School)
- Head of Middle School
- Director of Pastoral Care (Senior School)
- Director of Boarding
- School Psychologist
- Chaplain
Together with Advisors, Heads of House, Year Level Coordinators, classroom teachers, boarding staff, and support staff, this team champions trust, consistency, and inclusion.
Our close Pastoral Care network
Central to our structures are class teachers, Advisors, Year Level Coordinators, Heads of House, and the Boarding team. The Advisor program in Middle and Senior School and Class teachers in Junior School provide daily connection and wellbeing engagement; ensuring every student has a trusted adult who advocates for their growth. When combined with academic, co-curricular, and residential staff, our students and their families are well known and cared for.
Our Commitment
By weaving daily care, proactive support, and meaningful challenge through every aspect of school life, TAS ensures that each student:
- Is known personally by staff who advocate for their growth
- Is supported academically, socially, emotionally, and physically
- Is challenged to develop resilience, agency, and purpose
Through this integrated approach, we prepare every TAS graduate to lead with confidence, act with kindness, and contribute with purpose embodying the character of someone who is truly Connected, Committed, and Courageous.
Levels of Wellbeing Support
At TAS, we recognise that students have diverse needs. Our Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) ensures every student receives the care they need:
Tier 1 (Universal): Whole-school practices promoting positive behaviour, connection, and daily Advisor check-ins for all students.
Tier 2 (Targeted): Short-term, focused intervention for students requiring additional support; such as small group programs and strategic check-ins.
Tier 3 (Intensive): Individualised support plans developed in collaboration with the student, family, School Psychologist, and external specialists where required.
No matter where a student sits within this model, the TAS approach remains consistent: every student is known, noticed, and valued.
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