The Chaplain at Junction Park State School (JPSS) is
responsible for supporting the social, and emotional wellbeing of
students at JPSS. In particular though, they have a key role in supporting the
spiritual wellbeing of students and their families, regardless of faith or
beliefs.
What does a School
Chaplain do?
At JPSS, our Chaplain is
involved in a variety of activities with students that provide support and
care:
- Provision
of pastoral care and personal support for students, staff and
parents of the school community in cooperation and consultation with other
school staff, when requested;
- Providing
care for students and families who express a desire to explore their
spirituality, or who express a desire for their spirituality to be
supported at JPSS (prior permission sought from parents via a consent form
if child related);
- Facilitating
appropriate support and resources for school families in need;
- Supporting
the physical health of our students through involvement in school sport;
- Projects
to help continue the development of empathy and compassion in our
students, and awareness of the needs of others.
- Supporting
our creative and cultural wellbeing through involvement in school events
that relate to culture, creativity and harmony such as Harmony Day and NAIDOC
Day.
- Working
with staff and parents to create innovative places and spaces for our
students to shine, and new opportunities to nurture the "spark"
of students at JPSS. Our Chaplain assists with the J Club program and Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.
The chaplain can assist with developing relationships
and can assist the schools to make links to support services both within school
and the wider community when required. The partnership between the school and
the Chaplaincy Service, supported by community organisations, the Local
Chaplaincy Committee (LCC) and local churches, provides a network of local
support and assistance when requested by families.
The Chaplaincy Service
is available to everyone in the school community. Participation
in the Chaplaincy service is voluntary. If you would like your child to
be involved regularly, you will need to fill out a permission form
which is available from Deb or the office. Participation in any spiritual based programs also requires parental permission.
Who is the Chaplain at JPSS?
Our Chaplain is Deb Pasley. Deb is available for “pastoral care” (one-on-one conversations), will be running support groups and will assist in referrals to other agencies where required. She is also available to help any student, parent or staff member who needs support through a difficult time in their life. On a day-to-day basis, Deb aims to be a positive role model within the school, be involved in school programs, build relationships with students at break times on the playground, be involved in various school projects and programs such as J Clubs, and to be a listening ear. Deb is here on Mondays (8.30am - 4pm), Tuesdays (8.30am - 4pm) Please feel free to contact her to have a chat or make a time to come in for a coffee! Deb can be contacted via the school office or directly on debp@chappy.org.au
Is the service
available to every member at JPSS?
As stated above, the
Chaplaincy Service is available to everyone in the school community. Deb respects,
accepts and is sensitive to other people’s views, values and beliefs that may
be different from her own, including respecting the rights of parents/guardians
to ensure the moral and spiritual education of their children is in line with
the family’s own convictions. Chaplaincy services at JPSS are given freely to
all without discrimination on the grounds of religious ideology, beliefs or
sexuality.