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Chaplaincy

Supporting Our Students

The College Chaplain supports the emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing of students, staff, families and the wider school community by providing pastoral care services and strategies. The Chaplin works closely with our wellbeing and allied health staff to support students and their educational outcomes.

Our Chaplain is funded under the National Schools Chaplaincy Programme (NSCP). The NSCP defines pastoral care as 'the practice of looking after the personal needs of students, not just their academic needs, through the provision of general spiritual and personal advice.'

The roles and responsibilities of our Chaplain include:

  • Providing support in areas such as student attendance, engagement and mental health.
  • Providing a speaking presence at student assemblies and other gatherings of the College community.
  • Providing students with support and/or appropriate referrals in difficult situations such as during times of grief, or when students are facing personal or emotional challenges.
  • Providing pastoral care and guidance to students about values and ethical matters, referring students, or sourcing appropriate services to meet their needs, which may involve access to services in the community.
  • Supporting students and staff to create an environment which promotes the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual development and wellbeing of all students .
  • Supporting students and staff to create an environment of cooperation and mutual respect, and promoting an understanding of diversity within the range of cultures and relevant traditions.

Andre Whitton- Chaplain

Andre Whitton, Chaplain

Andre arrived in Australia in 1965 as a ’10-pound Pom’ with his parents and siblings, speaking only French and Greek. He grew up and was schooled in Geelong before moving to Melbourne in 1976. Andre married Ruth in 1986 and they moved to Red Cliffs with their children.  

Andre was ordained as a minister in 1996 and served the local church for 20 years before becoming School Chaplain for two local high schools in 2015. Andre and

Ruth moved to Phillip Island in 2021. Andre has continued working as a school Chaplain, finishing at Wonthaggi Primary School in 2023 and joining Íø±¬ÃÅʼþ in 2024.