The Chaplaincy service
At Geraldton Senior High School, our School Chaplain is Naomi Warth. The Chaplaincy service is 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
The Chaplaincy service offers non-judgemental pastoral care and confidential support which can be accessed by students, parents and staff. This includes one-to-one sessions and care for students with personal issues with an aim to provide hope to young people by helping them achieve their personal best at school, create positive relationships and contribute to their community. Chaplains can also advocate for the students and equip them with strategies to overcome various situations, including (not limited to):
- Family concerns
- Grief and loss
- Bullying and conflict management
- Online and Cyber safety
- Homelessness
- Mental health concerns
- Physical illness or sickness
- Peer pressure
- Domestic violence and abuse
- Drug, alcohol and substance problems
- School issues
- Relationships
- Disabilities, education and learning difficulties
- Death and trauma
- Attitudes
- Social and emotional issues such as feelings and behaviour
- Referrals to community agencies, as needed
- Other crisis’
Practical Support
The Chaplaincy service manage a volunteer manned, free breakfast club 5 days a week. Students who arrive at school hungry because they have not eaten breakfast can enjoy food options such as toasties, fruit, and cereal. This is always a great success, as studies show that students who have something to eat have better concentration.
Toasties are also available at lunch on request via the Chaplaincy Service and Student Services, as well as other needs like toiletries, underwear, footwear etc.
The Chaplaincy service also provides a “Chill Zone” place for students to eat their food, read a book, play a game or chill on our couches/beanbags and sometimes outside (if the weather is nice).
This is available Mondays thru Thursdays during Break 1. The space is monitored by the Chaplain.
Programs
Tier 2 programs provide targeted, small-group support for students who need extra help beyond standard classroom teaching.
The main benefits include early problem-solving, focused skill-building, and continuous progress tracking. Tier 2 interventions programs which can be facilitated by the Chaplaincy service include:
- Seasons for Growth (Grief and loss)
- Rhythms to Recovery (targeted programs around behaviour, self-regulation and personal development through music)
- Bullying Awareness & Prevention Program: addresses bullying issues in schools
- Healthy Relationship Program: aligned to the National Health Curriculum
- Addressing Grief and Loss: for groups experiencing different forms of grief and loss
- Alcohol & Drug Prevention & Early Intervention Program: explores social and emotional issues relevant to drug and alcohol misuse
- Violence Prevention Program: addresses a wide range of issues linked to violence including developing social skills that reduce aggression
- GRIT – experiential learning activities and processes that promote personal growth and build resilience in young people. The program benefits participants by equipping them with tools to confidently approach challenges and change.
The Chaplaincy service is available Monday to Thursday 8.00am – 3.30pm.
