Ear to

By Lilly O’Gorman
The Berwick school is receiving $4000 from the Casey Council and $60,000 in Federal Government funds over three years to enable a full time chaplain at the school.
Kambrya College welfare co-ordinator Sue Kirkham said students, staff and parents all took advantage of the added support the chaplain provided.
“The kids will seek him out and parents will seek him out to help with issues,” Ms Kirkham said.
“In terms of well-being support I think (the chaplain) is invaluable.”
Reverend John McMahon, who has been chaplain at the school since 2007, provides motivational advice and anger management activities to the students.
He also runs drug education sessions in class, visits school refusers at home.
For families with a Christian background, Rev McMahon can provide religious advice, and he has also made prayer spaces available at the school for different religious denominations.
He said the chaplaincy grants help the school in a big way.
“My role is very different to a teacher’s, but we also work very well together,” Rev McMahon said.
“I am someone to listen to, someone to talk to and someone to offer advice. I’m not in front of the students as an authority.
“In 2010 we are looking to have further involvement from people in the community in the chaplaincy program at Kambrya.”