Chaplaincy Program at Mount Waverley North Primary School

At Mount Waverley North Primary School, we take great pride in our Chaplaincy Program. This pastoral care initiative is designed to support our students, parents, and staff through various challenges they may encounter. Matters of faith are only addressed when a child or parent expresses a desire to discuss them. Our School Chaplain works with the Student Wellness Coorindator Megan Holt and the Wellbeing of Learning, Learning Specialist Andy Aufderheide, to make up the Wellbeing team.

Our Chaplain: Carol Knox

Our dedicated Chaplain, Carol Knox, provides essential one-on-one support and offers several valuable programs tailored to both students and staff. Carol collaborates with students, parents, and teachers to help navigate the complexities of daily life. Her presence offers comfort, providing someone to talk to, listen, encourage, and walk alongside those in need. Today's children often face significant issues such as family break-ups, grief, addictions, anxiety, and conflict, which can impact their ability to concentrate and learn.

Accessing the Program

The Chaplaincy Program can be accessed through self-referral, parent referral, or teacher referral to the principal team. Carol is available to support both students and parents and is present at the school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, please contact the school office.

The Role of a Chaplain

The primary role of a Chaplain is to provide care and support. They offer a listening ear and are an additional adult figure who can support our children in various ways. Specifically, a Chaplain can:

- Run pastoral programs, such as Lunchtime craft
- Listen to children when they need to talk
- Provide pastoral care, including encouragement and support
- Run support groups or short courses (e.g., anger management, grief support, social skills)
- Assist in resolving issues when a child is disruptive or not coping in class
- Refer children to other professionals when necessary
- Support teachers in class and assist as needed
- Listen to and address teachers' concerns
- Connect with parents, especially when the family is struggling
- Be available to talk with parents about their concerns regarding their children

We are committed to ensuring that our Chaplaincy Program continues to be a valuable resource for our school community, fostering a supportive and caring environment for everyone involved.