School Chaplaincy

ACCESS ministries chaplains support school communities through pastoral care of students, teachers, families and the wider local community. School chaplaincy has been recognised as one of the most significant youth-focused ministries for young people that is taking place in Australian schools. 

Chaplains fulfil a unique role in school communities:

Dinah Brownfield, our Pastoral Care Worker, delivers services to the school and its community by:

·         Providing general personal advice to those seeking it, comfort and support to students and staff, such as during times of grief. This may include general spiritual advice;
·         Supporting students and staff to create an environment of cooperation and respect, promoting an understanding of diversity and the range of spiritual beliefs;
·         Respecting the range of cultural traditions in the school and the broader community and also respecting the rights of parents/guardians to ensure spiritual and moral education     
           of their children is in line with their own convictions;
·         Working in a wider spiritual context to support students and staff of all beliefs and not seeking to impose any spiritual beliefs or persuade an individual toward a particular set of
           beliefs;
·         Being approachable by all students, staff and members of the school community;
·         Abiding by the National School Chaplaincy Program Code of Conduct for Pastoral Care Workers (www.dest.gov.au/schools/chaplains);
·         Operating within a strong ethical framework which supports and upholds the Values for Australian Schooling (www.dest.gov.au/schools/chaplains).
 

The key tasks include:

·         Co-ordinating the Friendly Schools and Families Program
·         Supporting student personal and interpersonal development through active involvement in social skills programs and one-on-one and small group counselling
·         Providing support and direction to parents and staff when appropriate
·         Facilitating access to the helping agencies in the community.

Dinah is available to all students, staff , families and the wider school community on Mondays and Thursdays.  If you wish to meet with Dinah please contact the school office to make an appointment time. 

In Victoria, School Chaplaincy has been managed by ACCESS ministries (formerly CCES) for over 50 years. We currently have around 160 chaplains in primary and secondary state schools. Chaplains respect the range of religious views and cultural traditions of the school community. Chaplains have the highest standards of professional qualifications and take part in on-going training and accountability structures.