Chaplain Heather welcomes you: October 2011

A sneak peak from 2011

OMSAI Rhythm

DJEMBE Drumming

Express Yourself Art Group

Mrs Buckle and Mrs Krumm - Volunteered their time
and talent to our Art Groups this year.

The BOAB Tree of Hope Project

Special Award Winners of our Art Group Self Portrait Exhibition

AUSLAN Signing Group

Students from K-Year 6 practising for Carols Evening Performance - I Can Sing A Rainbow

Ex3

This newly introduced program focuses on our unique personalities. Week 1 was fun as we completed a Personality Questionnaire during our Explore session. Week 2, we focussed on the 2^nd of our E- sessions Experiment. And during week 3 together, we brought it all together for our final E-session on Exercise !!

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Family Hardship

Part of the reality of life is hardship. That is not a negative statement. It is simply a statement of fact. Every day brings new challenges. Living with the expectation that life will be difficult makes hard times easier to deal with. When a family encounters hard times they will need to join together and face the challenge as a team. They will need to be sensitive to the needs of individual family members each of whom will face unique difficulties. Life is not easy, but having a support system makes life that much easier.

If you and your family need assistance and support, please be reassured that you can contact me (in confidence) for referral to local organisations, who can provide food, support and finance (without strings attached).

Despite, how it might feel, please let me reassure you that when you ask for help you are taking a road less travelled and one to be proud of as you put real needs of those you love before anything else.

And, as always, I am available if a conversation is of benefit to you.

The Chaplaincy Role - summary

Your School Chaplain is funded by the National School Chaplaincy & Welfare Program.

The role of the chaplain is to champion individual and community well being by:

1. fostering stronger relationships between the school and local community

2. Providing an increased variety and accessibility of welfare support for students, staff and parents

3. Encouraging and assisting students to engage with other organisations and support systems where relevant

4. Investing in individual and community well-being through social skills and student welfare development programs

Chaplaincy @ LPS

Pastoral Care & Crisis Intervention
· Provides Pastoral Care in a range of situations.
· Provides pastoral counselling to students, staff or family members suffering from emotional trauma
· Offers advice and strategies for students, staff or family members facing difficult decisions
· Connects with students, engaging them in a range of activities
· Is available to assist students, parents and staff as required
· Responds as required when critical incidents occur
· Keeps confidential records as required

Educator – Welfare & Enrichment Programs
· Develops programs and initiatives for student and family related needs
· Provides programs and leading groups that deal with social, behavioural and transition issues
· Provides class-room based lessons when requested
· Presents seminars and information sessions to students and wider the school community
· Offers in-service programs for staff
· Offers religious and spiritual guidance (when invited too)

Local School Liaison
· Refers disclosures covered by mandatory reporting requirements to the School Principal or Assistant Principal
· Engages in regular liaison with staff members, especially the welfare group, executive and class teachers
· Liaises closely with class room teachers and support staff in relation to students in their care
· Serves as the point person for Religious Education within the school, liaising with Special Religious Education (SRE) Co-ordinators and Teachers.
· Makes Referrals for community groups, agencies and professionals to students and families
· Liaises with external agencies, community and church groups
· Advises the Principal or Assistant Principal of any safety and wellbeing issues related to students and families
· Engages with parents by attending a range of school and social events to raise awareness of the role in the school community
· Sources program funding

About Chaplain Heather

My husband Craig and I have lived happily on the Central Coast for more than a dozen years. We have one beautiful daughter and a gorgeous foster daughter.

My foundational community principles come from growing up with a large family in rural NSW.

My approach to most things seeks to strengthen and build into the lives of people around me. Those that know me value my discretion and insightfulness. A core value of mine is communication.

"I believe in the stories of people, particularly children."

To the school community, I bring training and experience in school, hospital and community chaplaincy, pastoral care, clinical counselling, workplace training, events management, community projects, short-term mission experience overseas, camps for children, young adults and families, catering and a love for good food and company. I am connected to a variety of networks, have a reputation for being able to introduce a wide range of resources to a situation and creatively bring about something from nothing.

I believe that sincerity is sustenance; a warm hug for the soul.

Questions about Chaplains and Chaplaincy

If you have any questions about the role of the chaplain in schools, the chaplaincy program, Special Religious Education (Scripture) or the like, please don't hesitate to contact me either by logging blog post, sending an email Question/Comment direct to my email or contacting me at the school for a time to chat.

Phone: 43 621048 (during school terms)

Email: heather.pinel1@det.nsw.edu.au

Office: Bailey Cottage, Lisarow Public School (Wednesday & Thursday). Please check in with reception first.