After a long series of meetings concerning various problems that seemed to be holding back the progress and success of the student body, the Group System was begun by the faculty at St. Benedict's in the 1976 - 1977 school year to address the following concerns:

1. The faculty advisor system needed to be more effective.
2. Problem students needed more attention from faculty and peers.
3. Students needed more influence from "good" students, not just the faculty.
4. More effective student government was needed. 
5. Members of the different divisions needed to interact more.
6. Students needed to encourage and support one another more.
7. Students needed more incentives to study more and better.
8. Students needed to know themselves and others better, and small group experiences could help them do that.

• Provide a vehicle for ordinary academic advising and personal counseling: a means to catch, channel, and follow-up on those who need more professional attention.
• Provide a framework for socialization and recreation.
• Provide peer motivation and positive peer pressure in academic and personal areas.
• Provide a basis for student government and student problem solving.
• Provide structure for clean-up, leadership practice, intramural sports, and attendance monitoring.

The Group Leader is first of all responsible to the members of his Group for running a worthwhile program; secondly, he is responsible to his Faculty Advisor and finally, to the Section Leaders, Senior Group Leader, and Headmaster.

1. Set a good example in attendance, punctuality, academics, active participation, cooperation, and support of others.
2. Convocation: Take and report attendance at Convocation, keep group in order during Convocation, find out why absentees are out, confer with chronic lates, remind those assigned to clean up, and follow up on "cuts."
3. Group Period: Record absences and lates on attendance sheet; keep order; keep group members in Group; dismiss at end; oversee shadows and tutor program; counsel students as needed about grades, attendance, behavior; run group discussions, barbecues, pizza parties, and activities; and attend to people coming into Group from outside.
4. Group Competition: Serve as general manager for teams and be sure all play who want to.
5. Clean-up: Assign Group members each day, check performance of clean-up, and report repeat cuts.
6. Student Government:  Represent Group to the Board and represent the Board to Group. Help Group members solve problems with faculty and administration.
7. Honor Code: Support the Honor Code.

In general, it is the Faculty Advisor's responsibility to ensure that the Group Leader is properly fulfilling his duties. In other words, while the Faculty Member is completely responsible for the Group, this responsibility is exercised through the Group Leader. In general, the Faculty Advisor gives advice, counsel, or direction to the Group Leader to help him lead the group.

"Never do anything for a student that he can do for himself."

1. Sit with the group at Convocation and direct or advise Group Leader if needed.
2. Be in Group, on time, every day.
3. Meet regularly with Group Leader and Seniors to discuss their goals, duties, and methods.
4. Counsel Group members. Get help for students in trouble either by getting advice from professionals or referring student to proper resources. (In this area only, the Faculty Advisor does not work through the Group Leader.)

SUGGESTION: All Group members go directly to their seats and sit down at the beginning of each Group Period until Group Leader allows otherwise.

Back to Top