Prayers are answered

The State Government will inject an extra $2.7 million into the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) to assist the 179 public schools that missed out on the Federal funding.

In total, 614 WA schools will now receive State or Federal funding for a school chaplaincy program, including Lynwood-based Bannister Creek Primary School.

The school's YouthCARE chaplain, Jayjay Komakech, said the move would give her more time to support students and make them feel valued.

"Kids that have strong mental health and resiliency grow up to be healthy contributors to society and in turn raise great kids," she said.

"We all know kids need time invested in them to feel loved and supported; not all kids have this in their homes."

Bannister Creek had chaplain support for five years before funding was cut for the 2015-16 school year.

The school was forced to divert funds from other programs to provide an in-school chaplain for one-and-a-half days a week.

School principal Lyn Macauley said having funding for the remainder of the 2015 school year and 2016 would make a big difference.

"With this commitment, we now have continuity in developing planning strategies to support the emotional well-being of our students and our school community," she said.

YouthCARE has provided chaplains to schools for the past 32 years.

South-east metro area chaplain Pat Deeny said chaplains provided pastoral care and a link between the physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing of students.

"In other words, they are able to provide another dimension of care that other caring professions cannot," Ms Deeny said.

Riverton MLA Mike Nahan and Southern River MLA Peter Abetz welcomed the extra funding.

"A strong student services team is essential in improving or maintaining a strong culture in a school, which can filter into academic results, student attendance and the overall performance of our local schools," Dr Nahan said.