“Cura Personalis“: The Care of the Individual

“Jesuit education insists on individual care and concern for each person.“, (The Characteristics of Jesuit Education - paragraph 41.)

At Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview teachers and administrators, both Jesuit and lay, are more than just academic guides. They are involved in the lives of the students, taking a personal interest in the intellectual, affective, moral and spiritual development of every student, helping each one to develop a sense of self-worth and to become a responsible individual within the community. While they respect the privacy of students, they are ready to listen to their cares and concerns about the meaning of life, to share their joys and sorrows, to help them with personal growth and interpersonal relationships. In these and other ways, the adult members of the educational community guide students in their development of a set of values leading to life decisions that go beyond "self", that include a concern for the needs of others. They try to live in a way that offers an example to the students, and they are willing to share their own life experiences. "Cura Personalis (concern for the individual person) remains a basic characteristic of Jesuit education." (The Characteristics of Jesuit Education - paragraph 43.)

From Years 5 to 8 the Homeroom teacher is the "significant" adult in the boy's life. The Homeroom teacher will interview each boy and write a detailed report on him at the end of each Semester.

There are twelve Houses in the College, each House containing approximately 70 boys from Years 9 to 12. Boys remain in the same House during their entire time at the College and because many of the College activities are organised along House lines they develop a special identity with that House and the boys within it.

From Years 9 to 12 boys are under the care of a Housemaster who comes to develop a special relationship with each boy and his family. With this relationship develops mutual trust and respect that will enable the boy to find a genuine companion in learning and growing. The Housemaster is responsible for the overall formation of each boy in the House. He or she will write detailed reports once a Semester, commenting on the boy's academic and pastoral progress.

Within the House, each boy belongs to a Tutor Group. This smaller group of about 17 boys is seen as an added support to the Housemaster and the boy. The Tutor with the Housemaster will participate in the formation of each boy. This smaller group enables the senior boys to meet informally with the younger boys and gives them the opportunity to develop leadership skills.

There is a short meeting of 15 minutes three times per week for the Tutor Group to meet the Tutor, while three or four times a term there is a longer period of 55 minutes for a House meeting. The Tutor will interview each boy in his or her Tutor Group at least once a Semester. The Housemaster will interview each boy in the House on a one to one basis each Term. It is also made clear to the boys that Housemasters and Tutors are always available for help in academic progress and subject choices, co-curricular involvement, and spiritual development.

The Housemaster and the House system are supported in this work of "Cura Personalis" by every teacher and by others with specific roles such as the School Counsellor, Educational Support, Careers Adviser, Year Co-Ordinators, Division Masters, (in the case of Boarders), Co-Curriculum, Prefect of Studies and the Ignatian Centre.