School Chaplain 

From the Chaplain 

My thoughts are with all the Mullum community as you cope with the challenges of home learning. Let’s hope the lockdown is lifted, and we can all be back at Mullum very soon.

A little more about my role as Chaplain at Mullum P.S.  This position is funded by the National Schools Chaplaincy Programme (NSCP), which is Federally funded; administered by the State and contracted to a chaplaincy provider, Community Christian Churches of Victoria and Tasmania (CCCV@T).  

My role description includes:     

• Working as a member of the school’s wellbeing team, showing respect to all members of the school community.
• Contributing to improving student engagement and connection.
• Contributing to providing a safe, inclusive, supportive learning environment.
• Providing pastoral care and guidance to students.
• Operating within the School community and with external providers.

Over the last two terms I have worked closely with the leadership team to reach out to families, supporting them through a variety of daily challenges like transitioning to a new school; settling into a new neighbourhood; meeting for a coffee and chat with parents and staff; with parent consent I catch up with students to help them manage friendship challenges and to listen as they talk about the hurdles in their lives.  This list is not exhaustive and I send an open invitation to any of the Mullum Primary School families to reach out during these most challenging of times. 

One of my past positions was a Parent Resource Worker at Reach Out for Kids, for a period of five years. I would like to share this invaluable resource we used with all parents, grandparents, foster parents, step parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years of age.  There are guides on topics like bedwetting, television viewing, pocket money, and many more.

parenting.sa.gov.au/easy-guides

These tips are practical, easy to understand and supportive of your role as parents and caregivers, and cover every aspect of parenting. I have used them both personally and professionally and highly recommend them, and would appreciate your feedback as to how helpful you find them. 

Looking forward to meeting you in the future. I can be contacted at Mullum on Thursdays and Fridays, and my email address is margaret.patching@education.vic.gov.au

Marg Patching