Pastoral Care

Chaplaincy Program

Miss Minah Bocchino

Our school chaplain is Miss Minah Bocchino who has a passion for working with children and teenagers. She is a trained counsellor from Avondale College and provides additional guidance and support to students, staff and school families.

Aim of the Program

The Aim of the Chaplaincy Program at Carlisle Adventist Christian College is to provide pastoral care, spiritual guidance, social and emotional comfort and support for the general well-being of the students and families associated with the School. The Chaplain is also involved in the spiritual development and support of staff, students and families within the school, irrespective of their faith or beliefs. The National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The National School Chaplaincy Program is a voluntary program that assists school communities to support the wellbeing of their students, including strengthening values, providing greater pastoral care and enhancing engagement with the broader community. The Chaplain achieves these goals through organised programs within the school, as well as pastoral care conversations. These programs and conversations aim towards building self-confidence, resilience and self-esteem whilst also developing skills to help manage life transitions such as bullying, grief and family breakdown. These methods aim to promote positive wellbeing, minimise negative aspects and offer appropriate referral where necessary.

The Role of the Chaplain

Providing students, their families and staff with support and/or appropriate referrals, in difficult situations such as during times of grief or when students are facing personal or emotional challenges.
Supporting students and staff to create an environment of cooperation and mutual respect, promoting an understanding of diversity and the range of cultures and their related traditions.
Supporting students, their families and staff of all beliefs and not seeking to impose any beliefs or persuade an individual toward a particular set of beliefs.
Attend in-service activities as required by the principal.
Extra-curricular responsibilities as agreed by negotiation with the Principal.
Conduct and/or organise weekly Chapels and two Week of Worship’s each year.
Visit classrooms on a regular basis informally and formally.
Mentor students with behavioural/emotional needs.
Interact with the students in the playground.
Be available if any student needs someone to talk to about an issue he/she may have.
Visit with families in the home when requested.

How the service links into other school support services and networks

Teachers can refer students directly to the Chaplaincy service when they see fit. Parents also are able to request that their child be able to talk with the chaplain.
The Chaplain will offer referrals to, for example, Counsellors and outside agencies, when and if the need arises.

How to access activities such as arranging for one-on-one sessions
Students are able to contact the chaplain and negotiate a suitable time to meet together. Parents are also welcome to contact the Chaplain by phone and request that he/she meet with their child.

How to opt-out of services

Being a Christian School, parents have sent their children to this school knowing of the religious content that is taught. Therefore, any programs run by the chaplain that involves the whole school will be compulsory. If the parent does not wish his/her child to be involved in any one-on-one activity with the chaplain, a letter requesting exemption from this will need to be written and forwarded to the Principal

Complaints Handling

If Parents and Carers have any complaints they are welcome to discuss the matter with the school principal, who will provide the Complaint Forms if required.

Acknowledgement

This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program.

Disclaimer

The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Pastoral Support

Carlisle Adventist Christian College benefits from a strong relationship with the local Adventist Churches.

Pr Maciej Kuberek

The pastors from the local churches have a dedicated connection with the college and support its spiritual ethos. The local church Pastors are also members of the Pastoral Care team and support the College with activities such as Bible studies, chapel talks, Week of Worship and service programs. They also assist with the regular Friday evening worship - M.E.S.H. programs. Through the involvement of the local church pastors, students develop a sense of spiritual belonging and are provided with an opportunity to worship with their peers.