Pastoral Care Worker News

A big warm welcome to all new parents. I hope that your children have all settled down now into their new classes and are beginning their learning.   As a School, it is always important to support children in other areas of their lives as well which may include things such as their social networks and emotional well-being.  These last two are the areas that my  role covers and I do this in several ways.

Firstly, I sometimes work in classrooms to support teachers and at the beginning of the year you will always find me in the Reception classes helping out and getting to know the children. I am also available to speak with parents on any concerns they have to do with school or in their personal lives. Please let me know if you would like a chat via Lee at the front desk. My background is in Community services and Counselling as well as Chaplaincy which I have been doing the last 14 years.

Last year I saw around 20 students one on one on a regular basis plus many others just a few times. Their issues ranged from school work, friendships (always tricky!) home life and mental/emotional well-being.  I see many students who are coping with many complex issues which can affect their anxiety levels as well as mood and a few students who grapple with mild depression.

I run lunchtime programs such as Superchicks (a Yr 7 Girls Self-esteem building program which promotes friendship) and Café 7 which is a special lunch I give to the Yr 7 cohort. Last year I began a Kids Bizz program which looked at some of the more traditional views of Christmas and many of these students have told me that they would like to continue with this program so that is something I will look at later this term, maybe leading up to Easter. In the past I have run Knitting Clubs and Crafts as lunchtime programs as well.

I also provide a few programs during class time such as “What’s the Buzz” (a social skills program) plus Operation Boy Code (a self esteem and friendship building program)  and last year I ran a ‘Seasons for Growth’ group which is a Grief and Loss program for students who were dealing with death, separation or divorce in their families. I hope to continue with these programs this year as well.

I work on Tuesday and Friday each week  and my office space is at the back of the Uniform Shop. In my role, I also support our Staff here at Hackham East, either casually in the Staff Room or sometimes a longer one on one chat.  It is very important to support Staff in any way I can and I often place something ‘nice’ in their pigeon holes (like chocolate which is always a hit!) and I organise Staff Morning Teas with the local Churches to thank our staff for all the hard work they do. I hope this all helps you understand my role a little better.

Parent News

We supply a Parent Afternoon Tea every Friday afternoon from 2.30pm in the Conference Room (next to the Canteen) so come and join us in a fun-filled and friendly atmosphere for a coffee and a chat. We would love to see some new parents come along – everyone is most welcome.  It is a great way to unwind at the end of the week before you collect your children.  I hope to see you there.

Every Blessing.

Cherie Love, Pastoral Care Worker