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Chaplaincy & Student Wellbeing

Meet our wellbeing team

Our team of chaplains and our College counsellor work alongside the Deans of Wellbeing to provide students with holistic, Christ-centred care within their learning environment.

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Mrs Hayley Mourdant | Chaplain
In office: Monday, Tuesday, Friday

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Mr Timothy Ballantyne | Chaplain
In office: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

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Mrs Ruth Crawford | Counsellor
In office: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

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Chaplaincy

Both of our chaplains are ordained Ministers within Acts Global Churches. They each hold current Working With Children’s Checks in accordance with SCEA staff policy. Our chaplains work to support student wellbeing through:

  • Participating in College events such as student training, camps, club activities, prayer meetings, services, and parent programs.
 
  • Provide Pastoral care and support for students, staff and parents of the ECC community within a Christian framework.
 
  • Provide support in areas such as student mental health, engagement, attendance and connectedness and refer onto other professional agencies as needed.
 
  • Assist students to explore their worldview and beliefs through education and conversation.
 
  • Network with support services, other agencies, and organisations in the local community to provide a broad range of support services to the ECC student community.

Counselling at ECC

Mrs Ruth Crawford is a registered counsellor with PACFA and ACA providing counselling services and personal support to ECC students, families, and staff.  

As a counsellor, she works with students to help them achieve the most beneficial outcomes and realise their potential. Counselling services also help provide professional support with mental health and emotional concerns, learning difficulties and behavioural issues.  This includes the provision of individual and group therapy, planning and implementation of interventions as requested for students, and working closely alongside those in key roles of pastoral care and other teaching staff to ensure the positive wellbeing of students.

Mrs Crawford can also provide support and guidance in navigating referral pathways and liaising with outside agencies as needed.

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Chaplain's Corner: July

Chaplain’s Corner is a monthly devotional written by our College chaplains, published here and in our newsletter. Read this month’s edition below.

WORDS: Hayley Mordaunt

I can’t believe how cold it has been lately.  Whenever I step outside, I feel the effects of winter and I long for warmer days and the smell of spring.  I have a definite preference for the warmer seasons!

Many people liken the weather seasons to seasons of life.  Hardship, grief, pain, suffering or even rest may feel like winter.  Hope, new beginnings, and new growth can be likened to spring.  Summer can be represented as vibrancy or energy (maybe not in Australia on a 44 degree day though), and Autumn is often compared to change, reflection, or maturity.

There are times I’ve recognised I’m sitting in one season, and I long to be in another. 

As a Christian, regardless of the season I find myself in, my peace doesn’t come from the change of circumstances within a season, but from having a friendship with Jesus, and knowing Him personally as Lord and Saviour.

In Isaiah 9:6, when talking about the future Messiah, it says; Isaiah 9:6, which states, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.

In John 14:27, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”.

My encouragement to you, is that when you are in any season, and find yourself trouble by the circumstances within it, you can turn to Jesus and trust Him to see & care for you.  What He gives is lasting, transforming & constant. 

Here is a little prayer that you might like to pray some time.

“Lord, I come before you with a heart seeking peace. The world can be a chaotic place, and sometimes my own thoughts and emotions feel like a storm. I ask for your calming presence to wash over me, to quiet the anxieties and worries that plague my mind. Please help me to trust in your plan for my life, even when I don’t understand it.  Help me to see you and your love at work in my life. Amen.”

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