Learning - Chaplain

Our Chaplain service is provided by YouthCARE, which is a government funded non-profit organization. They recruit, induct and allocate Chaplains to over 600 schools throughout Western Australia, while providing ongoing support and training for them. YouthCARE Chaplains provide a supportive environment with irrespective of individuals faith and/or cultural backgrounds.

Our school programs offer an opportunity to listen to youth who may be experiencing problems at home, in the playground, or who may just need someone to talk to. Our care covers the health, social and overall emotional wellbeing of the students we assist. Our Chaplains work along side the Principal, Deputies, School Psychologist and Teaching Staff.

Our Chaplain
Affectionately known as ‘Chappo’, Or Mrs Whitworth, Teagan Whitworth was appointed to Pinjarra Primary School in 2023 and is here for 2 days a week (Thurs & Fri). As a Youth CARE Chaplain, her role is to support the students and the school community. More simply, if at any stage life is not easy, then she is here to talk with. Majority of her time is spent having one on one pastoral chats with students, listening to their stories, issues, how they are feeling as well as focusing on guiding and mentoring them, while providing confidentiality. The aim is to create a safe, welcoming space where individuals can be comforted, encouraged and supported in any issues they are facing.
“It’s not what happens it’s how you handle it”

The Chaplain:

• Meets with students, staff and parents to provide one on one support. Some examples are friendship/family relationships, anxiety, behaviour management, family separation, death or the FIFO lifestyle.
• Coordinates the Helping Hands team, which is a group of Year 6 students who have regular jobs around the school such as helping in Breakfast Club, Peer Mediation, making vegemite sandwiches for students with no lunch, packing the Operation Christmas Child boxes and sorting out the lost property, plus help where requested.
• Facilitates small group peer support programs, where students who have experienced a significant loss through death of an immediate family member, divorce or major circumstances changes, meet together and, through activities and discussions, explore what grief is and how to handle the ups and down of the emotions and problems associated with it.
• Will look into facilitating small group support programs, with students who have experienced a significant loss through death of an immediate family member, divorce or major circumstance changes. Peers meet together and through activities and discussions they explore what grief is and how to handle the ups and downs of the emotion and problems associated with it.
• Research and provide information on community activities or refer support agencies in the area for students and /or their families.
• Friendship is a major concern for a lot of students, Teagan works individually with students who have difficulty making or keeping friends, providing understanding of how to be a good friend and some general friendship rules to be guided by.
• Conflict Resolution and Bullying are issues which many students face, the Chaplain encourages students to work on strategies to help deal with these situations.

Appointments can be requested by phoning or emailing the school.the Chappo or dropping a note into reception or by asking their students teacher to be referred.

Confidentiality
Teagan is guided by the ethical practices of YouthCARE. Her statement is clearly visible in her office…