CHAPLAINCY

Greetings from the Chaplain

Hello and welcome to all of the new students and families attending Kew High School in 2014.  My name is Rosemary Carter and I am the Kew High School Chaplain.  As the chaplain I am involved in a range of programs in the school including CONNECT and year 7 Peer Support.  Students are welcome to come and see me to discuss any issue of concern; I also look after the school lost property.  You can find me in room 105 – you can’t miss my office as there are three big tubs for lost property right outside. 

Thursday 30 January marked the first day of school for the year 7 students.  Thirty six newly trained year 10 students also attended school with the year 7 students for their first day as Peer Support Leaders.  The Peer Support program is aimed at helping year 7 students transition into high school life.  A wide range of topics are covered over the semester including: finding and keeping friends, getting organised and working through hassles.  Welcome to the year 7 students and congratulations to the year 10 Peer Support Leaders for 2014.

The Second-hand Uniform and Book Shop has again had a busy three months.  A big thank you, to all of the volunteers for donating their time for this huge undertaking.  Despite many changes in text books this year, the sales have still been very successful.  The shop also continues to assist families by holding monthly evening openings and are trialling Tuesday morning openings. Watch the Compass newsfeed for advertisements of these special opening times.  The shop is open every Tuesday lunch time (12:22 – 1:07pm) in the room next to M4.  Please feel free to drop in to peruse the large supply of uniforms and books on display.  New volunteers are encouraged and welcome to join our team.  For information on volunteering or to find out how to sell your own uniforms and books through the shop please see the school webpage. www.kew.vic.edu.au

The team from Bridge Church in Richmond are back for 2014, Peter Horden will be heading up the EMPIRE activity program on Friday lunch times.  EMPIRE will include a wide range of fun activities  and are held on the quadrangle and in the basement gallery. 

The Mustard team are also back for 2014, Ben Hewitt and Andrew Kitchen will be the leaders.  Mustard meets every Monday lunch time for fun, games, activities and discussions on the issues of life.  Students can voluntarily attend anytime during lunch in room M1.

This year the Chaplain’s Emergency Fund has again assisted many students and families with new and second-hand text books and uniforms.  We have also supported the new Lego Club with new lego, the year 7 and 8 homework clubs with snacks, the year 7 welcome BBQ and the VCE Biology Camp.  We are very grateful for the support from the Commonwealth Bank Community Grants program, the Bendigo Bank Community Grants program and the Rotary Club of Yarra Bend (formerly Kew on Yarra).  Without their generous donations the Chaplain’s Emergency Fund would be unable to continue to offer assistance and support. 

The Chaplaincy at Kew High School is supported by a small committee of parent, staff and community volunteers.  If you are interested in finding out more about the school chaplaincy, or the great programs we run or if you are willing to become involved with the chaplaincy committee or volunteer in the Chaplaincy Second-hand Uniform and Book shop you can find more information on the school webpage or contact the school chaplain. rosemary.carter@kew.vic.edu.au 

Rosemary Carter

School Chaplain

Peer support

Willing year 10 students have taken on the  challenge of guiding the year 7s through their first weeks of secondary school.  The year 10s meet with the year 7s every Thursday afternoon to discuss issues, play friendly games and create friendships to make them feel comfortable at their new school.

When year 10 students were asked why they chose to become a peer support leader, Holly said, It brings back memories of year 7, and how fun it was. Year 7 students enjoy peer support because without even noticing, they’re making friends who will last with them all the way through their high school years. Plus they gain friends in the higher year level which makes them feel more comfortable and at ease whilst at school.

The peer support program is beneficial for both the year 10 peer support leaders and the year 7s new to the school.

Izabella Rogers

Year 10 Journalism