Busselton schools reinstate chaplains

Vasse, Dunsborough and Geographe Primary Schools would have risked losing the support service for students after cuts were announced last year.

Vasse MP Libby Mettam said the announcement was fantastic because funding the schools chaplaincy program could continue without having to divvy up funds.

“We got the state government to fund the shortfall of $1.5 million but unfortunately the way that the funding was distributed meant that three schools in the electorate still missed out and Vasse Primary was one of them,” she said.

“Myself and a few other colleagues have been pushing and advocating for a different way of assessing the schools so they can look at need instead of a set of criteria.

“After you cut a program like that it’s really hard to just bring it back in so continuity is so important.”

Vasse Primary School Principal Brian Devereux said the chaplain program played an important role in schools and funding was needed to ensure its continuity.

Mr Devereux said growth in the area and changing demographics meant there was an increased need for students to access these types of services.

“We were very excited about that because we were quit disappointed that we missed out,” he said.

“We have one chaplain and it is important that we only have one because of continuity of that person and the relationships that they form with children and teachers.”

Mr Devereux explained that chaplain’s played a religious role within schools was a misconception.

“It is a pastoral care role essentially so that can be as varied as there are numbers of children who take part,” he said.

“Sometimes it is a short thing like the cat died or got run over and the children just needs a little bit of time to talk and that’s it.”