We know that for some students and parents, a visit to our school may be the first time your child has been away from home. While it’s an exciting time, it can also be a bit daunting. It’s completely normal for either or both of you to feel nervous and have questions about the experience.

Our staff are dedicated to ensuring your child is cared for while they are away. Here are some strategies that can support your child with their upcoming Rubicon experience:

• Involve your child in the decision to spend time away from home. Taking part in even the smallest decisions can help them feel more confident and in control.
• Discuss homesickness and offer some coping strategies they could use as a distraction, such as playing with friends, a game or sporting activity or writing in a diary. Remind your child they can always approach a friend or trusted teacher.
• Encourage your child to imagine returning home and sharing stories with you. Use positive language, such as “You’ll have a great time and I can’t wait to hear about it.”
• If it’s possible, involve your child in a practice away from home stay, such as a sleepover with family or friends, to try out some of these strategies.
• Avoid using or suggesting phone contact as part of your child’s coping strategy, as this is not something they can easily do at Rubicon.
• Explore this website together so your child understands where they’re going and what they’ll be doing.  
• Discuss any concerns with your school and an attending teacher.
• Members of our staff are also available to chat if you need to get in touch.

Support for all children

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and stimulating learning environment for all students. By working closely with our visiting schools, we identify and support students with diverse needs, including:

• young carers
• students in out of home care
• LGBTQIA+ students
• refugee students
• students from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds
• other minority groups.

We are able to respond flexibly to support all students in their learning at Rubicon, by:

• serving food that meets the needs of our diverse community (including dietary requirements, food allergies and intolerances, diabetes, cultural and religious)
• accommodating individual requirements and circumstances with respect to equipment and clothing
• modifying our learning to accommodate student needs
• Assisting families that need financial support to attend Rubicon.

For more information on student welfare, please contact us.