School Chaplain

What is Chaplaincy?

Chaplaincy is a role and care service in the school that "provides students and staff with social, emotional and spiritual support, and provides an additional adult role model in the school and enhances engagement with the broader community including parents" (QLD Gov, 2020). Chaplains provide a safe place for students and staff to be supported, and for their needs to start to be processed and met. Chaplains are not counsellors, but rather a listening ear, a trained support worker and a referral provider, depending on the individual's needs.

What our Chaplain does?

The three main services that Chaplains provide within the school for students are:

1. One-on-one pastoral conversations – these are conversations where the student talks about how they are going and discuss any needs they or others have identified. During these conversations, the chaplain will aide students with coming up with some goals or strategies of how to meet those needs and/or how to resolve issues, as well as be supported by a safe person.
2. Social/emotional group work/programs – chaplains are trained in a variety of different research-based social/emotional programs, including Seasons of Growth, FRIENDS program, STRENGTH program and others. The chaplain will run small groups to help and equip students with skills needed to be able to be good friends, classmates and learners.
3. Educational Support – Chaplains are also here to help teachers in class time. Supporting teachers is a large part of the chaplaincy role, and so the chaplain visits and works within the class to support in any way needed.

How to access the Chaplain