The government has signed a new five-year $37.97 million agreement with the Commonwealth for student wellbeing services in schools across South Australia.
Formerly the National School Chaplaincy Agreement, the program’s pastoral care workers support school leaders and wellbeing staff and provide targeted support for students, such as mentoring and coaching.
Their work is a complementary service to schools which is in addition to support provided by other specialists.
The new agreement will also include a name change from 2023 to become the National Student Wellbeing Program.
The government will provide $1.05 million in top-up funding to the National Student Wellbeing Program for the 2023, ensuring almost 60 extra government primary and secondary schools will be able to continue in the program.
“Wellbeing is an absolute priority for me as a principal, and something I have made very clear in the culture I am trying to shape here in the school,” says Fairview Park Primary School Principal, Rebecca Jones.
“That’s why these roles are so important – they complement our teachers, SSOs and behaviour specialists in a way that can’t be replicated in the classroom.
“They provide assistance or special help such as colouring clubs or baking to ensure children feel connected at school.”
The combination of federal and state funding sees the program deliver services in 356 government schools, supporting the wellbeing of students and the broader school community in a variety of ways.
Funding is also provided to Catholic and Independent schools as part of this initiative.
This can include things such as working with school leaders and wellbeing staff to create a school environment that promotes the wellbeing of all students, supporting school camps, excursions, breakfast clubs and events, running homework or extra-curricular clubs, providing classroom support and mentoring.
The pastoral care workers do not provide counselling services to students but their services are open to any student, regardless of faith, or school sector, and with parental consent.
Next year, the program will be redesigned to align with the Commonwealth’s changes. Applications will open in 2023 for all schools to apply to join the new program from 2024.
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