The College Chaplain supports the emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing of students, staff, families and the wider school community by providing pastoral care services and strategies. The Chaplin works closely with our wellbeing and allied health staff to support students and their educational outcomes.
Our Chaplain is funded under the National Schools Chaplaincy Programme (NSCP). The NSCP defines pastoral care as 'the practice of looking after the personal needs of students, not just their academic needs, through the provision of general spiritual and personal advice.'
The roles and responsibilities of our Chaplain include:
Andre Whitton- Chaplain
Andre arrived in Australia in 1965 as a ’10-pound Pom’ with his parents and siblings, speaking only French and Greek. He grew up and was schooled in Geelong before moving to Melbourne in 1976. Andre married Ruth in 1986 and they moved to Red Cliffs with their children.
Andre was ordained as a minister in 1996 and served the local church for 20 years before becoming School Chaplain for two local high schools in 2015. Andre and
Ruth moved to Phillip Island in 2021. Andre has continued working as a school Chaplain, finishing at Wonthaggi Primary School in 2023 and joining Newhaven College in 2024.