This article first appeared in Queenwood News Weekly 1 November 2019.

As a progressive school from the start, Queenwood has always given a student’s wellbeing priority. In the Junior School, the girls have one class teacher who gets to know that girl and her family well, and can quickly respond to the needs of the girl as necessary. However, as girls enter high school, they enter a different environment where they have multiple teachers each day. 　

Nevertheless, we recognise the importance of having one member of staff that knows each student very well. In Year 7, the girls are introduced to their tutor with whom they can establish a trusting and respectful relationship. The role of the tutor is to get to know their tutees well, so that they can quickly support when issues arise. Tutor groups meet daily and students can talk to their tutors about their concerns or ask advice when necessary. As a parent, in most cases, the first point of contact should be with the tutor. 　

In addition to this, we acknowledge the importance of peer support and when the girls reach Year 10, a selection are chosen to receive training and then provide additional support to the new Year 7s. At times, students and parents may need professional advice for certain issues and as such we have a full-time clinical psychologist on staff who offers counselling across both Junior and Senior School. 　

So what, you may ask, does a Year Coordinator do? The role of a Year Coordinator is hard to define. There are obvious responsibilities – of guiding a year group through a particular stage in their school life; liaising with the Wellbeing Coordinator to ensure that the wellbeing program is relevant to and effective for the girls in our care; we manage our team of Tutors and get regular updates from them so that we have a holistic view of all 100 or so girls. But much of what we do is highly confidential and often concerns that handful of girls at any given time who, because of the circumstances in their lives at that moment, are in need of a higher level of support. 　

During my six years as Year Coordinator at Queenwood, I have worked with students who are socially awkward and helped navigate them through the school environment; students experiencing mental or physical health issues; students and parents going through family break up or suffering from terminal or degenerative illness. With all of these issues, a close partnership is formed with the parents and it may also be necessary to liaise with external professionals to ensure we provide the best care possible for the students.

The role of Year Coordinator is demanding but the rewards far outweigh the challenging nature of the issues. The joy to be gained by assisting girls to navigate through difficulties and embrace life is indescribable. I am frequently inspired by the strength of students who are only too willing to give care and support to their peers when they themselves are living through very challenging circumstances. A Year Coordinator really holds an extremely privileged role and none of us take it for granted. Together, we strive to ensure that Queenwood’s pastoral care structures create an environment in which all girls can grow, learn and flourish.

Mrs Rachel Brown
Year 12 Coordinator & English Teacher