Chaplaincy Services provide social, emotional and spiritual support to
school communities. SU Qld Chaplains provide positive adult role models for
students. Chaplains are present in schools at the invitation of the Principal,
in consultation with the local community, and with the support of the P&C
Association.
What does a School Chaplain do?
A School Chaplain is a safe person for young people to connect with at
school and provides a listening ear, caring presence, and a message of hope.
Chaplains run positive, fun activities for students and assist in fostering
supportive, caring school communities. Working with other members of the
school’s support team, the Chaplain cares for students struggling with issues such
as difficult relationships with other children or family members, poor
self-esteem, family breakdown, and depression.
The partnership between the school and the Chaplaincy Service,
supported by local churches, businesses and community organisations, provides a
network of local support and assistance. These positive relationships help
young people to face difficult issues, and provide hope, connection, meaning,
and purpose. The Chaplaincy Service is
available to everyone in the school community regardless of their religious
beliefs.
Who is the Vienna Woods School Chaplain?
Our school chaplain is Carol Cock. She trained as a registered nurse
in the 1980's at RPA in Sydney and then went on to work with young adults in a
training and mentoring capacity in Youth With A Mission for 16 years in
Australia and overseas. More recently she has worked extensively with local
children in crisis situations.
Her qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Human Studies and a Graduate
Certificate in Ministry. Carol is a mother to six children, and grandmother to
two. She loves bush walking and
camping with friends and achieved a lifelong goal in 2014 to complete
the Milford Track. She loves being a listening ear for people when they need to
chat.
What will Chaplaincy look like at Vienna Woods in 2017?
The chaplain will also assist with various sporting and cultural
programs, attend school camps, assist in classrooms, run programs that help
students develop social and life skills, and run a lunchtime interest club.
Brekkie Club, Dads and Lads Camp, Mother’s and Father’s Day events,
playgroup, student mentoring, various cafés, Loop Easter Camp, Spin Off and our community care freezer will be run
during the year.
Students may request to see the chaplain on an individual basis for support
in personal matters. A parental consent notice will then be sent home to obtain
permission for any ongoing matters.
Will my child be involved?
Involvement with the Chaplain is entirely voluntary and students
choose whether or not they want to be a part of the activities that are
offered. Parents will be consulted if their child wishes to be involved in
ongoing one-to-one meetings with the Chaplain or in any program or group
involving spiritual or ethical content. Parents have the right to refuse permission
for their child to be
involved in any Chaplaincy activity or event.
How can I contact the Chaplain?
The chaplain will be here at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you would like to contact her about any matter you can call the
school office on 3820 0777.