Role Modelling, Mentoring and Buddying Programs

I bet you could look back over your life and identify that handful of people who made a big difference to you. They had something you wanted, they were a good example and they took an interest in you. The presence of such positive role models has been shown to be a major protective factor in the lives of children and young people.Model-of-Care

The DETE school chaplaincy policy clearly states that an important part of the school chaplaincy role is to be an adult role model in the school community. The prime intention is for chaplains to be positive role models to students, but chaplains can of course be positive role models across the entire school community, living out the positive beliefs, values, attitudes and actions that are core to the Christian faith.

On top of their personal role modelling, school chaplains can also promote positive role modelling in the school by encouraging others to be a good influence as well. Chaplains who run in-school programs and activities often call upon people from local churches and the local community to help out in a range of ways. Regardless of the part they play in making the activities happen, these adult volunteers also become role models in the school community. There are a number of chaplains who take this a step further and facilitate community mentoring programs where appropriate adults connect up with needy students to provide role modelling and mentoring to them.

But school chaplains don’t want adults to have all the fun. Within the student body of schools, there are plenty of potential role models just waiting to be unleashed on their peers. Peer programs  that promote the kind of knowledge, attitudes and skills that students need to be positive role models and mentors for other students are programs that a number of school chaplains are trained to facilitate in their schools. These programs focus on positive values, how to live them out, skills for active listening, assertive communication and issue resolution processes that are useful for both the students’ personal development as well as for sharing with others. My son benefits from a buddying program at his school. He was in Year 3 last year and met regularly with his Year 6 buddy to chat, catch up and do activities together. This regular catch-up with his buddy was a highlight for my son throughout all of last year.

Being a good role model and empowering others to be good role models as well is another vital way that school chaplains promote wellbeing across their school communities.

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