Page 608 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 2019
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sought her out the day following the tragic death of his sister. He found that the chaplain was a safe person on whom he could unload his grief and confusion. He trusted the chaplain.
Another student unexpectedly became a young carer to her parents, who became seriously ill. The chaplain journeyed with her as she adjusted to juggling the caring role with her school studies. She recently graduated and got a job. She visited the chaplain, proudly wearing her work uniform, thanking her for all that she had done.
There are so many other stories that are positive about the roles of school chaplains. I think it is appropriate that, as a matter of public importance in the Assembly today, we acknowledge the wonderful work that school chaplains do. They do so in a caring, compassionate but non-religious way.
I thank all the school chaplains in the ACT for their ongoing commitment to their territory and particularly to their own school communities. They all have a big impact on the lives of the kids, parents and staff members they support. They are an asset to our community. I hope that all members, especially the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, agree that school chaplains and the services they provide are very much worthy of a matter of public importance.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (3.10): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for putting this matter of public importance forward today. I will be speaking on behalf of the education minister who has to travel this afternoon and is unable to be here for this debate.
As members would be aware, the ACT government’s focus for our schools is on student wellbeing, fulfilment, equity and achievement. And this is reflected in the future of education strategy which advocates for a holistic view of students as people. We recognise that the basic welfare and wellbeing needs—everything from nutritious food through to physical and mental health support—provide a basis on which learning can occur.
Students’ social and emotional wellbeing is also extremely important, and the ACT government supports the general principle of the Australian government contributing funding for this support. The context of the current commonwealth requirement in relation to their support that school chaplains must have a religious affiliation is our one concern. The ACT government has given a lot of consideration to the appropriateness of faith-based chaplains in public schools. Education in government schools is legislatively required to be non-sectarian, secular education. And that is what the school parent community expects.
I am advised that in 2018, along with the other states and territories, the ACT was invited to participate in an extension of the national school chaplaincy program, a commonwealth-funded initiative to support the emotional wellbeing of students and the broader school community through pastoral care and services. Before agreeing to enter into the new program the education minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, wrote
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