The National Schools Chaplaincy Program (NCSP) assists schools to employ Chaplains, who support the educational, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of students, staff, and families. One of the common questions I get asked is:

What is a School Chaplain?

We provide a listening ear and a caring presence in the School, available for all students, staff and families. We assist school counsellors and staff in the provision of welfare services by providing pastoral care.

As the School Chaplain, I am able to assist in areas including bereavement, grief and loss, peer and family relationships, mental health and problem solving to name a few. I can assist with accessing community resources, referrals and can be deployed to assist in crisis situations. I can also provide guidance on religious, values and ethical matters when requested. Chaplains are required to be non-judgmental, non-coercive and support all students, staff and families regardless of their issues or worldview. As the School Chaplain, I also run the Season’s for Growth Grief and Loss program here at Ballarat High School if a student has experienced bereavement. If you have any questions about the National School Chaplaincy Program or the Season’s for Growth program, please contact Student Services. I look forward to getting to know you.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au

Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au

Headspace Ballarat (03) 5304 4777

www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/ballarat

Griefline 1300 845 745 www.griefline.org.au

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement 1800 642 066 www.grief.org.au

Support After Suicide www.supportaftersuicide.org.au

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 www.beyondblue.org.au

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/

Q Life 1800 184 527 www.qlife.org.au

Ballarat Community Health (03) 5338 4500 https://bchc.org.au/

Grampians Area Mental Health Service 1300 247 647

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!

In December, our School Chaplain Margaret Benoit delivered donations collected from the Ballarat High School Community to Uniting Care Ballarat for homeless families doing it tough this Christmas. Well done to the students in the Community Connectors Lunchtime Group who helped to organise this initiative. Thank you to our school for being so generous.

VSL Victorian School of Languages