Our School Chaplains
At Geraldton Senior High School, our School Chaplains are Sheree Dines and Delane Commons. Our Chaplains are here to provide support for our young people, families, carers and school staff.
As part of our school support program at Student Services, Chaplains help with many issues that occur at school or at home. The teenage years can be the most challenging. It is a period of self-discovery, brain development, changes in thought process and finding boundaries. This time can also be trying for families, carers, peers and school staff who endeavour to assist and guide each young person to find his or her way.
Student Care
Chaplains offer non-judgemental pastoral care support with the aim of providing hope to young people by helping them achieve their personal best at school, create positive relationships and contribute to their community.
Chaplains help by advocating for the school community on an individual case-by-case basis and equip students with strategies to overcome various situations, including (not limited to):
- Bullying and conflict mediation, Family issues, Death & Trauma, Cyber safety, Homelessness, Mental health, Crisis, Sickness, Peer pressure, Drug and alcohol problems, Domestic violence & Abuse, School issues, Disabilities, Education and Learning difficulties, Attitude and Referrals to community agencies, if needed.
Mediation
Mediation is offered for families and carers to help keep lines of communication open with their teen. We encourage restorative discussions and allow both sides to tell their story. Mediation is encouraged as this empowers everyone involved to take responsibility for moving forward in a healthy, positive way.
Food Service
The Chaplains manage a free, self-serve breakfast and lunch preparation facility 5 days a week. Students who arrive at school hungry because they have not eaten breakfast or packed lunch can enjoy food options such as toast, spaghetti, baked beans, fruit, and cereal. This has proven to be a real success, as studies show that students who have something to eat have better concentration.
Sheree has opened the Chaplain room during lunch and recess time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as a safe place for students to eat their food, read a book, play a game or chill on our couches. This room is monitored by the Chaplain.
Resilience Building Workshop
We all face trauma, adversity, and other stressors and children are no exception. There are many aspects of your life you can control, modify, and grow from, and that’s the role of resilience. Resilience is the process of adapting well when faced with difficult and challenging situations or experiences, such as when we encounter adversity, trauma, grief, loss, threats and life stressors. Resilience building encompasses social skills, building healthy friendships and empowerment and promotes clear communication and positive thinking habits. It also provides profound personal growth and works on attitudes such as self-respect, self-compassion and self-confidence. The Resilience Building Workshop is voluntary. We are excited to support and offer this to our students through our Chaplain service. What an invaluable life skill!
In facing the many challenges, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Support can come from the school, home, or community services.
Our School Chaplains are available onsite Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 3pm and Thursday and Friday from 8am to 4pm.
