Cranbourne Secondary College chaplain Tim Payze offers much needed welfare and support By Alison Noonan
CHAPLAINS in Casey’s secondary schools can continue their good work thanks to a generous donation from the council.
Cranbourne Secondary College and Berwick Secondary College will each receive $5000 to fund their Chaplaincy Programs, which provide much needed welfare and support services to the school community.
Council agreed to allocate the much needed funds through its Grants and Contributions program at last week’s council meeting.
Cranbourne Secondary School chaplain Tim Payze said the school had employed the services of a chaplain for 12 years but would be unable to continue the program without the financial support of council and the local community.
“With 1200 students at the school I have a very large counselling role. I support teenagers with the struggles of life, family issues and career choices.
“We also offer proactive programs to support students with the transition from grade six to year seven and offer support to families and staff.
“The welfare needs of the school could not be adequately met without a chaplain. It is a vital part of the school,” he said.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said he was delighted that council was willing to support a program whose survival depended largely on community donations.
“It is a very expensive program but very important.
“Chaplains do a great job in local schools.
“However these schools struggle to keep their chaplains under immense pressure to obtain funding so I congratulate them for keeping it up,” he said.
