Page 1380 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 April 2019
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matter of public importance forward today. I welcome the chance to speak about the value more broadly of student wellbeing and support. This is where the focus of our discussion should be today, in recognition that chaplains are just one element of a broad range of wellbeing supports provided in our schools.
As the Chief Minister made clear in March on my behalf when members last discussed this matter, student wellbeing is a key priority for the ACT government. This government is committed to supporting the wellbeing of students and recognises this as a critical factor that enables access to learning. The provision of personal and emotional support for students and the broader school community is an important function of school wellbeing teams.
In recent years the ACT government has made significant investment in this area. This includes investment to increase the number of school psychologists and expand the availability of wellbeing workers in disciplines such as social work and youth work. This is strengthened by the network student engagement team that builds capacity in our schools through the provision of targeted support. We also have additional investment planned for the future, with wellbeing as the core focus of the future of education strategy. As a result of this investment, ACT government schools are well equipped to offer a range of supports for student and school community wellbeing.
The provision of student wellbeing support does not require religious association or endorsement, which has been a requirement under the national school chaplaincy program. Education in ACT government schools should be non-sectarian and secular. This is consistent with not only the Education Act but also prevailing expectations of the ACT community, as confirmed by the overwhelming community support for my decision. The incorporation of religious chaplains in ACT government schools is inconsistent with the act. On this basis, and as you are already aware, all ACT public schools therefore will be supported to transition from the chaplaincy program during 2019.
Principals, teachers and school staff across our 88 government schools work hard every day to make sure that student wellbeing is a priority. We know how important this is for students to effectively engage with their learning and to reach their full potential.
The Chief Minister has previously outlined the range of wellbeing supports available in ACT government schools. Today I would like to highlight again the breadth and depth of this support. Every school has a student wellbeing team comprising executive teachers, school psychologists and other key members of staff who can provide appropriate supports to schools and their communities. This may also include youth workers, social workers, community development workers, allied health workers and school youth health nurses.
I would like to share with you a story about the support that has been offered to a young woman in one of our ACT government high schools. This young person came to the attention of a school as her attendance started to decrease. She was beginning to demonstrate unsafe behaviours both within and outside the school. There was
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