In the RCS we believe that pastoral care has an inclusive function inextricably linked with teaching and learning, and we work hard to ensure that our students develop positive attitudes and good personal and social relationships with each other, and with our staff.  In the RCS we focus on the whole student and involve all members of the RCS community as providers of pastoral care to ensure student emotional competence and wellbeing, as well as academic support.

Seeing education as a holistic process and placing student wellbeing at the centre of our teaching practice is one of the UNSW Health 25 strategic initiatives. I am passionate about ensuring that students have a positive, supportive experience at PMQ from the outset. This is particularly important in the rural setting where students may be more vulnerable: some may be first in their family to attend tertiary education, many are living away from home for the first time and others have difficult home learning environments. Recognising these factors as important to the retention of students in the rural cohort, I have introduced several mechanisms of support for our P1 students, including a pastoral care program, mentoring and capable resident advisors; my success in this area is built upon strong inclusive values. I implemented a bespoke programme of pastoral care, whereby academic staff meet individually with students once a term to ‘check in’ in terms of student wellbeing and academic progress, providing space to highlight any concerns. I see this service of long-term importance in student retention, and in producing graduates that embody the values of UNSW and take these out into our community.