Sometimes you meet someone who is extraordinary. They light up your life when you spend time with them. They don’t draw attention to themselves but you can’t help but notice them as they bring joy to everyone they come in contact with. Maureen Moores is one of those people and we would like to honour her as she retires from her role as Chaplain to the community of Victor Harbor Primary School after 20 years of service.
Read MoreIt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Carols are being heard in shopping centres, adverts are telling us our loved ones will only be happy when we buy this or that for them. Tinsel and trees are being put up everywhere and occasionally you will see a Nativity here or there.
it’s also the time of year when the Life Matters team go road tripping across South Australia from the Eyre Peninsula to the Riverland and all the way down the Limestone Coast. They share the real meaning of Christmas with school communities.
Read MoreWellbeing is officially the hot topic of the year (McCrindle 2019). Schools, families, government, and the broader community are all wrestling with the reality of how to maximise the wellbeing of our students.
Embedded in the National Curriculum is the call for personal and social student capability building (including self-management, self-awareness, social management, and social awareness). SMG is working with schools to help meet this challenge and support this cause through The Wellbeing Classroom framework.
Read More“It’s not just about the food, but also about having quality time along with a calm start to the day” says a parent whose child attends the Breakfast Club at their school.
Read MoreJust last month I had the amazing privilege of visiting the place of Jesus birth - Bethlehem, in Palestine.
There I visited the Church of the Nativity, an incredible and beautiful Cathedral built over and around the place in which Jesus was born.
Christians have visited Bethlehem for centuries, praying and worshiping and singing Christmas carols. And while the church today doesn’t bear any physical resemblance to the Manger of that first Christmas, it is still breathe-taking to know that I was standing in the very place where the future began!
Read MoreChaplaincy Services in South Australia over time has continued to grow in numbers, but more importantly in depth and value it has provided.
By verbalising six dimensions of school chaplaincy over the last few years, we have a better common understanding of what this service contributes to school communities. They are: Role modelling and mentoring, Social and emotional support, Spiritual support, School engagement, Community engagement, and Extra-curricular contribution.
Read MoreIn Term 2, Hope Downloaded joined forces with Wellbeing Services to create a dynamic live music show featuring Huggtopus! The show had a successful pilot run in 3 western suburbs primary schools, taking the story of Huggs to students in special classrooms.
Read MoreSMG Conference brought PCWs from across the state together, celebrating and commemorating highs and lows, progressing our learning, our understanding and our personal growth. Keynote sessions from Dave Shepherd and Dr Paul Whetham contributed encouragement and strengthening of mind and heart.
Read MoreWhen joy wells up within us, it can’t help but spread, it ignites a sense of wonder in all who encounter it. With joy comes hope, peace and fun! In our 2019 Christmas presentation we discover the joy that Jesus’ birth ignited in the world, and explore how we too, can create change and bring beauty with our expressions of joy. The Christmas Season is November 11 - December 13 and the Life Matters team are taking bookings NOW!
Read MoreOnce a year we invite all our PCWs to attend a conference. As they work in different schools across the state, it is a great opportunity for them to share with and learn from each other.
It was such a pleasure to meet so many people who are so passionately following their calling and supporting children and families in their local schools. I was impressed by these special PCWs who truly believe in the value of what they can add to their community.
Read MoreSchools Ministry Group is in a privileged position. It provides Pastoral Care Workers and other content to schools right across the state: Primary schools. Secondary schools. Area schools. Special schools. Schools in large communities. Schools in small communities. City schools. Country schools. State schools. Private schools. In fact, just about every type of school you can imagine.
This is a privilege because so many schools today are central to their community: They are where people get to know their neighbours. Mothers meet other mothers living life the same way. Fathers make friends with other fathers. Children are exposed to brand new ideas and new thoughts. Whole families live life with other families….
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