Wellbeing

Chaplaincy

Cathedral College Wangaratta is a Christian school in the Anglican tradition, ensuring worship is an essential and integral part of our week within the School. Students and staff celebrate their spirituality and participate in the religious and liturgical aspects of fortnightly Chapel Services. Age-appropriate, engaging and fun, students are encouraged to become involved in prayer and contribute their own spiritual identity to group worship. Religious and Values Education (RAVE) seeks to expose students to a range of faith expressions and instill in them a greater sense of spiritual identity. At the heart of the Christian ethos are the concepts of social justice, inclusion, tolerance and respect for other belief systems. We welcome all who come, from whatever religious background or circumstance.

Here at Cathedral College, we have had a Chaplain working at the school in some capacity since the school began in 2003. Currently, we have our Chaplain – Rev Dr Mark Mickelburough, and our Head of Faith and Service – Mr Adam Graham, fulfilling these duties. Along with teaching responsibilities in their particular fields of expertise, their roles are varied, but include:

  • Leading fortnightly Chapel services and other special services in the Christian calendar
  • Co-ordinating and teaching the Religious and Values Education Curriculum
  • Being a presence on school camps and activities
  • Participating In fortnightly wellbeing meetings in sub-schools with Year Level Coordinators, Heads of School and School Counsellor
  • Providing individual and small group pastoral care to students, staff and families
  • Counselling studentsCo-ordinating mission and outreach projects such as Bishop’s Winter Appeal and Loaves and Fishes program with Anglicare
  • Facilitating Seasons for Growth Grief and Loss Program with Counsellor
  • Facilitating Confirmation classes for interested students
  • Supporting the Principal and Executive staff following critical incidents
  • Leading prayer and liturgy at staff eventsLiaising and working with chaplains from other Anglican Schools
  • Representing the school at various church and Diocesan activities

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd is an inclusive, inspiring, peaceful and reflective space in which students, staff and the wider College community will gather in worship and communion. The Chapel proudly resides in the heart of the school. It is a place where all members of our community will gather to find peace and comfort, irrespective of religious tradition.

The naming of the Chapel

In honour of Christ the good shepherd, our College Chapel is known as ‘The Chapel of the Good Shepherd’.

In Jesus’ description of himself in St John’s Gospel, he says;

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.’ (John 10.14-16)

It is our prayer that the Chapel of the Good Shepherd will be a place where all members of our community will gather to find peace and comfort, irrespective of religious tradition.

Within the main chapel, sits a smaller more intimate side chapel. The side chapel was dedicated in honour of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

According to legend, Saint Catherine of Alexandria was an extremely learned young girl of noble birth, possibly a princess. She protested the persecution of Christians under the Roman

Emperor Maxentius—whose wife and several soldiers she converted while imprisoned—and defeated the most eminent scholars summoned by Maxentius to oppose her. Catherine is the patron saint of students and teachers, and therefore a suitable patron of our internal chapel.