Macarthur Adventist College is committed to providing a safe, supportive and well-governed learning environment for students, families and staff. Our policies and procedures help guide College life and outline our approach to areas including child safety, student wellbeing, chaplaincy, counselling and complaints.
Explore key College policies and information below.
Company Wide Policies
School Chaplains
Seventh-day Adventist Schools NSW has made child safety a priority in its response to the new Child Safe Standards.
The National School Chaplaincy Program is a voluntary initiative that helps schools support the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of students through pastoral care, values-based support and stronger connections with the wider community.
- Provide students, their families and staff with support and/or appropriate referrals, in difficult situations such as during times of grief or when students are facing personal or emotional challenges.
- Support students and staff to create an environment of cooperation and mutual respect, promoting an understanding of diversity and the range of cultures and their related traditions.
- Support students, their families and staff of all beliefs and not seeking to impose any beliefs or persuade an individual toward a particular set of beliefs.
- Conduct and/or organise weekly chapels and two weeks of spiritual emphasis each year.
- Mentor students with behavioural and/or emotional needs.
- Be available to students, staff and parents seeking advice for whatever reason.
- Disclaimer: The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Teachers may refer students to the College Chaplain when additional pastoral care and support would be beneficial. Where appropriate, the Chaplain can also connect students and families with professional counsellors or external support services.
Students are welcome to approach the College Chaplain if they would like to meet and talk. Before ongoing pastoral support is provided, the Chaplain will contact a parent or caregiver to discuss the request and obtain the appropriate consent.
Parents and caregivers are also welcome to contact the College Chaplain directly to request support for their child or to discuss any wellbeing concerns.
Parents and caregivers may choose to opt out of individual or small-group chaplaincy support by contacting the College Principal, who will advise the Chaplain accordingly.
As a Christian school, Macarthur Adventist College integrates faith into the life of the College through activities such as Chapel services and other whole-school programs. These form part of the educational experience and are attended by all students.
If parents or caregivers wish to discuss their child's participation in specific chaplaincy activities outside of the regular College program, they are encouraged to contact the Principal to discuss their request.
If parents or caregivers have any concerns or would like to provide feedback, they are encouraged to discuss the matter with the College Principal. Should a formal complaint be required, information about the College's complaints process and the appropriate forms will be provided.
The College regularly reviews its chaplaincy program to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our school community. Reports are provided to the Home and School Committee and the College Management Committee, while parents and students are invited to share their feedback through regular surveys.
Child Safe Standards
Counselling services are available for students who wish to discuss any issues of concern.
Counselling and Psychological Services
Counselling services are available for students who wish to discuss any issues of concern.
At Macarthur Adventist College, our school counsellors are committed to providing a safe and confidential space in which students feel welcome to talk openly about what is on their mind.
Conversations between a student and a counsellor are treated with care and are generally kept confidential. This means they are not shared with teachers or parents without the student's knowledge.
There are, however, important exceptions to this. Where a counsellor believes a student may be at serious risk of harm, or where there is a legal obligation to report a concern, the counsellor may need to involve parents, guardians, or other appropriate services.
In such circumstances, your child's safety and wellbeing will always remain our first priority. Wherever appropriate, parents will be kept informed and supported throughout this process, in partnership with the school.
We recognise that families in our community come from many different backgrounds, and that approaches to counselling and confidentiality may be understood differently depending on culture or prior experience. We warmly encourage any parent who would like to know more about how this works at our school to reach out to us directly as we are always glad to discuss this further.
Students may seek counselling support for a wide range of reasons, from everyday challenges through to more significant concerns. Examples of possible concerns may include learning, behavioural or physical difficulties; issues with family or friends; grief and loss; bullying; feeling stressed or overwhelmed; career decisions; and thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Students can access counselling and psychological support by completing a Wellbeing Connect Request or by visiting the Wellbeing Coordinator in the HUB.
Parents and caregivers who would like to request support for their child can complete the Child and Adolescent Referral form.
Complaints Handling
Please contact Sam Lett, School Principal, for a complaints form if required.
