At James Ruse Agricultural High School the welfare of all students is given a primary focus and delivered through a variety of programs designed to support the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students. The welfare team is composed of the Principal, a Deputy Principal - Welfare, Head Teacher - Welfare, six Year Advisers, six Assistant Year Advisers, the Supervisor of Girls, an Assistant Supervisor of Girls, and the School Counsellor.  The key welfare programs outlined in the table below comprise a developing core curriculum which is supported by an effective strategy of under-achiever identification and management across all key learning areas. The Register of Student Contact (RISC) program is used to record and monitor all student welfare matters across the school.

Year Group Program

Year 7		Peer Support Peer Support is a ten week program introducing Year 7 students to the school by way of learning how to develop new friendships and group working skills. Students will also develop effective communication skills; recognise the effects of peer pressure and develop skills for dealing with negative peer pressure; understand ways to build self esteem and develop self awareness; learn how to develop goals and recognise how they can be used in daily life. This program is facilitated by select Year 11 students who undertake training to deliver the course.  SRC Connect Mentoring This SRC initiative effectively partners Year 10 student mentors with small groups of Year 7 students. The Connect program runs for 10 weeks during which Year 7 students meet weekly with their year 10 mentors to discuss issues and concerns which may relate to academic, social or more personal challenges. Study Skills In this introductory program, Year 7 students come to identify and understand their preferred learning style, review study techniques and time management practices. This program provides critical support for students to develop appropriate study skills for the challenging years ahead.
Year 8		Cyber Crime Program The Cyber Crime program is delivered by NSW Police. Students will identify and examine cyber issues such as cyber bullying and cyber stranger danger. High resolves Students undertake the first two modules of this program - Collective Identity and Justice - examining the notion and impact of multiculturalism on our lives and analyse justice issues in relation to the homeless, families in crisis and poverty at local, national and international scales.
Year 9		High resolves In the program's thrid module - Conflict Resolution - students consider ways of developing peace by bringing youth from conflict ridden areas together. RAP The Resourceful Adolescent Program is an experiential, resilience-building program designed to promote positive coping abilities and the maintenance of a sense of self in the face of stressful and difficult circumstances. Student Leadership Program Interested students submit a formal application to participate in this school initiated Student Leadership Program (SLP) involving Year 9 students. The broad content of this program enables students to complete a self-assessment, examine communication styles including across genders and generations, learn to resolve conflict constructively, explore case studies in leadership, discuss the complexity of leadership, understand the essence of effective teamwork, develop their own personal leadership challenge and participate in a service project. The SLP aims to motivate and empower students to become leaders in our global community.
Year 10		Peer Support Training Students undertake a two day training course to develop an understanding of the Peer Support Program. One of the outcomes of the program will be the emergence of the Peer Support Leaders, students willing and able to work effectively with the Year 7 students. High resolves Module 4 - Collective Action - enables students to discover, participate, discuss and make decisions about global problems such as climate change. Students will apply resources for calculating CO2 impact and strategies for reducing CO2 emissions. Students will also evaluate the impacts of key international reports and government documents. SRC Connect Mentoring Year 10 mentoring of small groups of Year 7 students (see Year 7 above). Student Leadership Program This program is also offered to Year 10 students (see the above reference to the Student Leadership Program in Year 9).
Year 11		Prefect leadership Each year the body of 30 prefects including the student executive is elected with one of the prime functions of this key leadership group being to build school spirit. Prefects are offered opportunities to attend external training in leadership by attending functions such as global leadership conventions and most prefects develop their leadership capabilities through planning, organising and implementing a variety of dynamic events designed to enhance school culture. Year 11 New Student Forum New students to the school will enjoy the benefits of this forum as an introductory program to ease transition into the school. Cross Roads Program All Year 11 students will increase their knowledge and understanding of driver awareness and related issues. The program is organised by Rotary Youth Driver Awareness and facilitated by members of the PDHPE faculty.

In addition to the above programs students have the opportunity to develop a range of skills through the many initiatives undertaken by groups such as the Student Representative Council, Rural Youth, Australian Army Cadets and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.  These programs are offered to all students throughout their time at James Ruse Agricultural High School.

Student recognition
Student participation in the many extra-curricular programs offered by the school is acknowledged and recognised in the James Ruse Award scheme. Under this scheme there are three Awards which are designed to recognise all-round involvement and participation by students. These Awards are called the James Ruse Bronze Award, the James Ruse Gold Award and the James Ruse Distinction Award. Both the Bronze and Gold Awards consist of a medal and a certificate and are presented at the school’s formal Principal’s Assemblies to those students who have qualified for the award. To be eligible to receive a James Ruse Award, students must successfully fulfil the criteria of at least five of the categories: Academic Excellence, School Curriculum Involvement, Inter-school Representation at sport, creative arts, music, involvement in school life, school service and outdoor activities.

Other forms of student recognition include acknowledgement of student achievement via:

• The Principal's Assembly
• Presentation evening
• Subject  merit awards
• Publication in the daysheet, the weekly newsletter, the School Year Book and the annual Student Achievements sheet
• Displays and exhibitions of student work
• Weekly sports awards
• Competition certificates, prizes and other gifts
• Classroom acknowledgement