MOUNT Gambier schools will benefit from the continuation of the National School Chaplaincy Program, with the Federal Government contributing an extra $247m in the 2018/19 budget.
The chaplaincy program will be extended for another four years and will have a greater focus on bullying.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the eight schools in Mount Gambier with a chaplaincy program would benefit from the “permanent” funding.
“I know the valuable work school chaplains do in Barker and that’s why I lobbied the minister to extend funding for this vital program,” he said.
“I have seen first-hand the positive impact the National School Chaplaincy Program has here in Barker and the strong community support behind it.”
The chaplaincy program aims to support the emotional wellbeing of students and the school community through the provision of pastoral care, with close to 90 schools across the electorate participating in the program.
Melaleuca Park Primary principal Lynette Corletto said the appointment of chaplain Rob Berlin to the school two days a week added value to the school’s wellbeing program.
“We have a lot of allied programs on offer for our students and if the chaplaincy program was not running, there would be an absence for our students and the school community,” she said.
“He provides a range of support to vulnerable young people and works predominately with the middle and upper primary cohort to support their engagement in the transition process as they move towards high school.
“He supports our pedal prix program, which is an opportunity for kids to get involved in team situations.
“In previous years, he worked with a lot of our dads around being positive male role models.”
Mount Gambier High School deputy principal Mary Anne Fenwick welcomed the program’s continuation, citing a number of benefits for the school community.
“We have been involved with the program for a very long time and it provides quite significant support for students and staff,” she said.
“They support our students by bringing in guest speakers, theatre groups and musical groups and the presentations are usually along the lines of belonging, friendship and support.
“It is one more adult in the school a student can connect and identify with.”
The program is voluntary for schools and students and all school chaplains must meet the minimum qualification requirement set by the Federal Government.
