Chaplaincy

GREAT RYRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL

CHAPLAINCY POLICY

 

GREAT RYRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL

CHAPLAINCY POLICY

 

PURPOSE

The school wishes to foster the wellbeing of all its members.

The wellbeing framework at Great Ryrie has several layers, from the daily responsibility of all staff to enhance resiliency and educational outcomes for students, to the provision of specialist support provided by student support services. The role of a Chaplain is an integral part of Great Ryrie’s program to meet the needs of its community.

Within the school, as part of the wellbeing framework, the Chaplain has a supportive role for all members of the community, particularly the students. He or she will be a person of integrity and respectful of all people.

 

IMPLEMENTATION

 

1.    The Chaplain will offer a secular-based pastoral care program to the Great Ryrie school community.

 

2.    The Chaplain works within the guidelines of DEECD and School Council policy and is accountable to the Principal in undertaking his/her role on a day to day basis.

   

3.    The Chaplain works as a team member with staff and student support personnel under the guidance of the Student Welfare Coordinator.

 

4.    The Chaplain provides a caring, supportive presence within the school.

 

5.    The Chaplain will gain parental consent using a standard pro-forma before providing ongoing individual support to any student. A first ‘one off’ visit requires a teacher or student request.

 

6.    The Chaplain will have a current Working-With-Children card.

 

7.    The Chaplain will refer disclosures covered by mandatory reporting requirements to the school Principal or Assistant Principal.

 

8.    School Council will monitor the effectiveness of the Chaplaincy within the school on an ongoing basis.

 

Reviewed: May 2008

Approved

 

SCHOOL BASED ROLE DESCRIPTION:

GREAT RYRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHAPLAIN

 

At Great Ryrie Primary School the Chaplain will;

 

1.    provide a secular-based program of pastoral care to the students, staff and families that form the Great Ryrie school community

2.     connect with students and engage with them in a range of activities

3.    help develop and/or participate in programs designed to meet the wellbeing needs of students

4.    be available to assist parents and staff if required

5.    report to the Assistant Principal for their duties

6.    meet with the Assistant Principal and other welfare staff on a regular basis

7.    liaise with the decision making bodies of the school, including the school Leadership Team

8.   liaise closely with teachers in relation to students in their care

9.    liaise with external agencies such as Local Government, community and church groups

10. advise the Assistant Principal/Principal of any safety and wellbeing issues related to students

11. provide a written report to the Assistant Principal/Principal each term outlining their activities including their duties and suggestions for improvement or change with a summary report to go to School Council

12. keep accurate written records of school based activities and suggestions for improvement or change

13. have opportunities to be involved in professional development both within the school and in the community

14. refer disclosures or concerns covered by mandatory reporting requirements to the Principal

15. engage with parents by attending a range of school and social events to raise awareness of his or her role in the school community and

16. observe the Staff Code of Practice

GREAT RYRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHAPLAIN

  SCHOOL BASED GUIDELINES:

 

1.    School Council reserves the right to review and modify guidelines for the operation of the chaplaincy in consultation with the chaplain, Chaplaincy Committee and the Council for Christian Education in Schools (ACCESS) ministries on an ongoing basis.

ACCESS is the governing body of Chaplains and CRE in State schools.

 

2.    Written consent from parents/guardians will be sought before seeking further contact with students following initial contact between a student and the chaplain.

 

3.    The Chaplain will be employed for two days a week offering regular hours of operation to facilitate consistency of access. A further day per week will be funded by donations from other organizations.

 

4.    The chaplaincy service is provided through ACCESS ministries under the generic job description provided by ACCESS but under guidelines as determined by School Council.

 

5.    Within the school the School Chaplaincy Policy, Role Description and Guidelines will compliment ACCESS guidelines and the Generic Job Description provided by ACCESS.

 

6.    The 2 day a week program will be funded for 3 years by the Federal Government.

 

7.    The school will be represented on the chaplaincy committee by a nominee of School Council.

 

8.    Agreement to employ a Chaplain through ACCESS will be subject to a letter of engagement and may be terminated with 30 days notice, or payment in lieu, if either party is in breach of the agreement and are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.

 

9.    The outcomes of the chaplaincy program will be reviewed yearly by School Council, with regular updates at council meetings.

 

10.  The review process will include

a.    quantitative surveys in line with the Parent Opinion Survey

b.    invited written response from the parent community

c.    qualitative responses solicited from clients and staff

d.    reports from the Chaplain, staff, the Student Welfare Coordinator and Principal

e.    quantitative surveys from students in line with the Principles of Learning and Teaching and Student Attitudes to School Surveys.

 

 

Reviewed: May 2008

Approved: