Page 607 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 2019
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consult chaplains, perhaps even more than students themselves. In addition to that, parents also visit the school chaplain. So the role that a school chaplain can play in bringing together those three critical components of a school community—staff, students and parents—is, I think, an invaluable opportunity.
Chaplains provide remarkable pastoral care to students. Their services are aptly described in the national agreement 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.
Strategies to support the emotional wellbeing of students are at the heart of chaplaincy services. At a time where there is increasing violence in schools, a lot of uncertainty and all sorts of mental health concerns, chaplains are available in many of our schools to support their community. It is worth noting that chaplains have been in the ACT for 26 years, a very long time. Some school communities have had chaplains for decades.
The ACT government and school communities get a great deal. They get free experienced, qualified, passionate volunteer counsellors whose primary focus is the personal wellbeing of students. It is not always possible for teachers to give every student the attention they need all the time. School psychologists, counsellors and chaplains all have an important role to play.
The national school chaplaincy program is completely voluntary for students and schools. School officials work very closely with chaplains to provide customised and dedicated support, based on the school community’s needs. I believe it is a testament to the benefits and effectiveness of chaplains that so many public and private schools take part in the program here in the ACT. I understand that some Canberra schools have even held fundraisers to support increased chaplaincy services in our schools.
There are schools that get rocked by particular hardships. It could be that a member of staff passes away, it could be that a member of the student body passes away or it could be that something happens to one of their families. Often school communities turn to their chaplain in addition to their teachers, counsellors, psychologists and other support services to provide necessary support and comfort.
Many school staff members speak in glowing terms about school chaplains. It is not surprising, given that chaplains are voluntarily taken on at schools. I know that there are many schools that would go to great lengths to ensure that their school community can continue to support a school chaplain and the services they provide.
One school staff member said to the chaplain:
Thanks … for sharing your latest newsletter. You are such an inspirational person. I love your closing remark—“I want to thrive, not just survive”. You bring so much joy into people’s lives, both students and staff. Your friendly, “can do”, positive approach is refreshing and motivating.
Another testimony was that the boys spoke about how the chaplain provided a safe “home” for them in her “chappy room”. The chaplain shared how one male student
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