The Big Picture
Helena College's culture prioritises learning and achievement with an equal focus on wellbeing - our 'whole child' approach. Students are at the forefront of all our decision-making, including getting to know each child's individual learning and wellbeing needs, whatever age they join our community.
We develop our students to be confident communicators, creative problem solvers, and engaged citizens, capable of achieving their goals. Students are encouraged to respect each other and given the opportunity to develop the necessary social and emotional skills within a caring and inclusive environment. Students are encouraged to strive to achieve their personal best both within and outside the classroom. We also understand that life is about more than academic success.
Our focus on helping students to thrive is supported by a collaborative approach. In addition to the homeroom structure and campus leadership teams, Helena has psychologists and learning support specialists located at the Darlington Campus and at the Glen Forrest Campus. Positive relationships between staff, students and parents is highly valued at Helena College.
We aim to educate and inspire students to be the best they can be, by providing a balanced focus on whole child development.
— Helena College's Mission
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care underpins all relationships within Helena College. The classroom (Junior School) or homeroom (Senior School) in which each student will be placed is carefully chosen to best suit their individual needs. Friendships are forged through these daily gatherings and are further enhanced through our highly regarded Camps Program. Students build upon the relationships established in homerooms and on Year level camps to form a close relationship with their peers and teaching staff.
Child Safety
Helena College is a Child Safe School, committed to protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse. We have a zero tolerance stance on child abuse and remain committed to acting in our student’s best interests to always keep them safe from harm.
Our commitment to child safety is demonstrated through the implementation of robust policies and procedures designed to prevent, identify and report instances of child abuse.
The wellbeing of children and young people in our care will always be our priority and as such we are committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and to maintain a safe and supportive environment.
Additional information, including our procedures and policies, Child Safety Framework, Child Protection Officers and healing historical harm, can be found on our dedicated Child Safety page.
We aim to be a school where students, teachers and parents actively engage as partners in the educational process.
— Helena College's Mission
Parents as Partners
Collaborative relationships lie at the heart of our community with staff, students and families living the College motto - Bringing out the best together - to achieve the best possible experience for each student. Parents are also an integral part of the College community and we value parent involvement in their child’s learning journey.
We believe in working closely with parents and caregivers to ensure that we provide the right environment and conditions for each child to reach their personal best.
Helena College nurtures strong and positive partnerships between the school and community members. We are committed to providing timely, relevant and useful information - whether it is about their child's individual progress, College activities and services, news or general updates and reminders.
We aim to be a school with high expectations of learning and achievement by offering creative, engaging and challenging educational experiences in a nurturing environment.
— Helena College's Mission
Academic Enrichment and Support
For all learning experiences, our professional and passionate staff work hard to ensure high quality, challenging programs are designed to stimulate and extend each student. Our team - including learning support specialists, psychologists, teachers and College leadership - will develop a program of enrichment or remediation if it is needed, and this is followed for as long as it is required. Academic support intervention and programs stem from the classroom approaches to student learning.