Students at Kyabram P-12 College are seeing continued benefits from the chaplaincy’s donated meals. Pictured are Alex Waters, Rachael Keegan, Liz Spicer, Jinnah Lee, Tessa Stokes and Kiara Pell.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Chaplaincy was hard at work at Kyabram P-12 College last semester, delivering free meals and organising a special high tea for senior students.
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During recess and lunch each school day, school chaplain Liz Spicer hands out food purchased via donations to students across all year levels.
Students with donated food at recess.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
More than just a meal, the kids are invited to spend time in a social and supportive environment to refuel before heading back to class.
“Every day they are welcome, and we can get up to 100 or 150 a day,” Mrs Spicer said.
“(The food) is donated by the churches and the community of Kyabram, so it doesn’t cost the school anything.”
Ari Vellios among other students at the chaplaincy office during recess.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
On the last day of Term 3, Mrs Spicer put together a high tea event at the request of Year 12 students who were marking their last day of secondary school.
Cartoonist Brett Cardwell joined the celebration, commemorating the occasion in caricature as a free memento.
Mr Cardwell met Mrs Spicer years ago while working at Strathewen Primary School, and has been invited to visit the college for the past 14 years.
Cartoonist Brett Cardwell has been a frequent fixture at Kyabram P-12.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
“It’s been fun. I love coming to the country and meeting these young kids, they’re very friendly,” he said.
“They really appreciate (the caricatures). It’s just to give them some fun at the end of the year — it’s a stressful time.”
Taylor Heald and Chloe Heald with their cartoon selves.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Mrs Spicer said the event was a blessing from chaplaincy, and was made possible through the generosity of Kyabram residents and church groups.
As a community chaplain, her outreach extends beyond the college, but the students have a special place in her heart.
“It feels amazing for me to do it. All children need loving, and I wish something like that would have been at school when I was at school, someone that cares about you,” Mrs Spicer said.
“Some of the kids think I’m like the school mum. They call me mum because I’m doing pastoral care with the students.”
The impact of chaplaincy’s care can reach to student’s families, with Mrs Spicer able to connect carers with resources and services as required.
Fundraising events, including an annual dinner and trivia nights, also support the service and keep the college chaplaincy operational.
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