We want to continually grow as a “caring, Christian environment” so that children, families and friends can experience God’s grace and love in their lives.

This care is provided through:

• listening;
• encouraging;
• supporting;
• visiting;
• counselling;
• offering practical help; and
• reaching out to students, parents, families and staff when in need.

We carry out this caring through the following:

Pastor Mark Lieschke is our school pastor. He:

• supports students, families and staff;
• leads worship at the school;
• visits classes and speaks with children about the Christian faith;
• provides courses of introduction to the Christian faith and the Lutheran Church;
• arranges workshops and seminars that promote healthy relationships; and
• is available for spiritual counselling, prayer support, visiting and pastoral acts such as baptisms, weddings, funerals etc.

The Deputy Principal is our Student Welfare Coordinator, whose role:

• develops programs that promote the Christian ethos of the school and the development of relationships between students and staff/students;
• identifies and arranges support for students who experience bullying, lack social skills or are isolated; and
• supports staff in developing strategies that encourage positive behaviour.

Each year parents from various year levels are invited to serve as Care Coordinators to help promote the school as a “caring Christian environment”. They:

• plan social events for families of a given year level (e.g. BBQs, picnics etc);
• coordinate short-term physical support to be available when families experience difficult times (e.g. emergency meals, transport and child minding);
• arrange a beginning of year get-together with classes;
• encourage attendance at parents’ information nights; and
• identify new parents, welcome them and introduce them to others.

School staff:

• deliver individual caring support in the classroom and playground;
• identify individuals and families who may benefit from support, and offer them referral to the people listed above; and
• provide appropriate information to the people in the roles above that will help them carry out their tasks more effectively.

This is a Peer Support Program for students experiencing loss through the death, divorce or separation of a significant person in their lives.

The children meet in small groups of similar aged children for 10 weekly sessions. The group provides an opportunity for the children to express grief and learn coping mechanisms through various activities.

Parents are given the opportunity for their child(ren) to participate.

Families are welcome to participate in any activities that come under the ministry of Bethlehem Lutheran Congregation. They include:

• Worship:
• Saturday night at 6.15pm, in the Junior Primary Block, at the school;
• Sunday morning, 9.30am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 9 Athol Street;
• Sunday School for children (3-12) at the church at 10.00 am;
• “Among Friends: support/fellowship group for parents;
• “Playtime” for preschoolers;
• Youth Group for high school age children (meets at various times); and
• Bible study and care groups (meet at various times).

Pastor Mark is based at the school and is available to the school community every day (except Wednesdays). He is on call at any time for emergencies, and is also available to be contacted at home in the evening.

Our Deputy Principal can be contacted at the school during school hours.

Names and phone numbers of Care Coordinators can be obtained from the school directory or the school office.

Pastor John Guilfoyle from Bethlehem Lutheran Church can be contacted on6925 1294