PASTORAL CARE
" With student welfare at the heart of everything we do, our team of expert and dedicated pastoral staff will go that extra mile to ensure our boys are supported and happy throughout their time here. "
At King Edward VII School we are committed to providing high quality pastoral care for all our boys. With student welfare at the heart of everything we do, our team of expert and dedicated pastoral staff will go that extra mile to ensure our boys are supported and happy throughout their time here.
Keeping children and young people safe is a key priority at King Edward VII School.
The pastoral care consists of
Whole-School Well-Being
A vital focus of the Social Well-being Team (SWT) is identifying the social, cultural and systemic challenges that impact the well-being of the School community as a whole. The SWT focuses on assessing these challenges and implementing School-wide interventions that have a positive impact on these challenges. This is essential to School well-being as these interventions have the potential to change some of the broader problems facing our community.
HOUSE SYSTEM
The House System forms an integral part in the day to day operation of the School.
The School is divided into 8 Houses, as follows.
Each House has day boys and boarders. The Houses are divided into five Groups. Each Group is headed by a staff member and has boys from Grades 8 – 12. This allows for mentorship and allows boys to interact across Grades. The Group Leader is the first point of contact with the School. Boys meet in their House Group each day except on the days they write Standardised Tests. They meet as an entire House every Thursday at House Assemblies.
In addition, each House is lead by a House Leader. This is a senior position in the School and the House Leaders will take full responsibility for the overall Pastoral Care of the boys. They each have an Assistant and each House has an Academic Leader (a position previously occupied by a Grade Head). The Academic Leader will oversee matters pertaining to Academics (assessments, homework issues, class work and reporting). They report directly to their House Leader.
This system continues to evolve and it is the Headmaster’s firm belief that this structure will further enhance the quality of care and education we are able to offer.
MENTORSHIP EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR 2024
SCHOOL WELL-BEING TEAM
A vital focus of the School Well-being Team (SWT) is identifying the social, cultural and systemic challenges that impact the well-being of the school community as a whole. The SWT focuses on assessing these challenges and implementing school-wide interventions that have a positive impact on these challenges. This is essential to school well-being as these interventions have the potential to change some of the broader problems facing our community.
The KES SWT is made up of Paul Galbraith (counselling psychologist) and Erick Kabongo (intern counselling psychologist). Their mission is to ensure that each individual at KES is able to be their best version of themselves and achieve their full potential during their high school journey, by providing counselling, career guidance, workshops, and awareness campaigns.
Erick Kabongo
Intern Counselling Psychologist
Email ekabongo@kes.co.za
Tel 011 551 5800
BOARDING MENTORS FOR 2024
BUXTON HOUSE
E Mckenzie, J George, M Maake, P Mabote, D Piek, K Dladla, S Sabino, N Geya, Q May, W Magwenzi
SCHOOL HOUSE
S Mnebelele, T Modisane,L Mkwanazi, S Faber, V van Buuren, S Radebe
DONALD GORDON HOUSE
M Beling, Mehlomakulu, T Ngwenya, C Oradiegwu, R Moeng
COUNSELLING SERVICES
Counselling is provided to KES learners to help them through difficult adjustments, personal problems, traumas, family difficulties, and any other life challenges that may happen during their time at the School.
Despite popular beliefs, counselling is not only for people with mental health problems or emotional difficulties. Counselling can instead provide a platform for anyone looking to make a positive change in their life.
The School provides up to six counselling sessions per year to learners at no cost.
CAREER GUIDANCE
There are two important stages during a learner’s high school career where they are required to make decisions that could require career guidance.
Grade 10 Subject Choices
Towards the end of Grade 9 learners will have to select the subjects they will be taking in Grade 10 and beyond. This is a significant decision as the subjects they take will have an impact on their options once they leave high school, particularly if they plan on studying at a tertiary level. The learner support team can provide guidance to Grade 9 learners on how to make appropriate subject choices, based on their strengths, interests, values and career aspirations. Psychometric assessments are also offered by the school psychologist privately at a fee to parents.
Career Guidance
Grade 11 and 12 learners will be at a phase in their high school career when they need to make a decision about the career direction they would like to pursue. The learner support team provides career guidance to learners to assist them in identifying potential careers, based on their interests, strengths, values, and aspirations. Psychometric assessments are also offered by the school psychologist privately at a fee to parents.
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES