Reference: Recent news on the National Schools Chaplaincy program
Great news for social harmony.
Schools will be able to choose whether to use their funding for a chaplain or a secular welfare officer. Increased funding ($ 222 million) would be extended to schools that want to employ student welfare officers instead.
 Almost 2700 schools take part in the program, which gives them up to $20,000 a year in grants for chaplains, and Labor plans to extend it to another 1000 schools. From next year schools in remote and regional areas will get up to $24,000.
The Civil Celebrations Network Inc supports the role of a "Civil' Chaplain as civilised people have ethical and moral frameworks that enhance community well-being.
The CCN Inc submission recommended expansion of the VET courses to include new units on:
UNIT Spirituality, Religion and Community -
Relationship between belief, faith, knowledge and behaviour; Secular (Civil) Spirituality, New Age and other Forms of Spirituality, Comparative Religion, Cults, Advantages and Disadvantages, Stages of Religious/ Spiritual/Psychological Growth, Examination of spiritual and religious beliefs and their impacts on human rights and society.
UNIT Rites of Passage and Stages of Human Growth to Maturity
Stages of devleopment - physical, mental, spiritual and social, cultural). Symbolism. Dependence, Independence, Interdependence issues. Their relation to alcohol and other drug use, mental health, violence, etc. Examination of the SA program used in some schools, called The Rite Journey (a unique educational programme designed to support the development of self-aware, vital, responsible and resilient adults) – placement of School Chaplain trainees with this program – http://theritejourney.com.au/
UNIT Human rights, Discrimination and Citizenship
Evolution of separation of church and state; Human Right’s’ history and examples of the ways belief systems about the meaning of life and causes of human behaviour have and still do impact - on the treatment of women, people with disabilities, people with mental illness, people vulnerable to life style pressures etc. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens in a secular multicultural society
UNIT 1 Role of School Chaplain
The role. its benefits and limitations, support for the role/
A- adequately support the social emotional and spiritual development of all students”
- Role is one of community development / generalist primary care youth worker
- to be a role model for understanding and maturity that can see the good in other religions, and in all people, whether they have religious beliefs or not.
- to 'empower young people to take responsibility for the well-being of self and others
- inspire young people to live life more fully, creatively, healthily and responsibly to self and others
- to provide leadership / educate one is responsible as a member of a community and wider society to respect the rights of others and one's behaviour as an adult.
- to be able to identify, and develop a value // ethical system that serves them and others to live a healthy, creative life in community with others.
B- support (emotional/spiritual) includes non-judgmental positive regard, client focus, good listening skills)
C - being part of a well-being structure - like a generalist primary care health worker
D - 'problem' identification, referral (to appropriate resources for assessment and intervention - school and community) and follow-up (this aspect needs more focus)
E - liaising with community organisations
F - carrying a sort of community identity (or 'bridge' between school, family and the wider community
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