Chaplain
Chaplaincy Services provide spiritual, ethical, and personal
support to school communities. SU Qld
Chaplains provide positive adult role models for students. Chaplains are present in schools at the
invitation of the Principal, in consultation with the local community, and with
the support of the P&C Association.
What does a School
Chaplain do?
A School Chaplain is a safe person for young people to
connect with at school and provides a listening ear, caring presence, and a
message of hope. Chaplains run positive,
fun activities for students and assist in fostering supportive, caring school
communities.
Working with other members of the school’s support team, the
Chaplain cares for students struggling with issues such as difficult
relationships with other children or family members, poor self-esteem, family
breakdown, and depression.
The partnership between the school and the Chaplaincy
Service, supported by local churches, businesses and community organisations,
provides a network of local support and assistance. These positive relationships help young
people to face difficult issues, and provide hope, connection, meaning, and
purpose.
The Chaplaincy Service is available to everyone in the
school community regardless of their religious beliefs.
CHAPLAINCY PROFILE:
Adam Rose
Adam has been in the school for 4 years now and has a number
of programs and activities in which students and parents can partner.
Adam has had a diverse range of work opportunities, working
predominately within two fields that complement the role of Chaplaincy, being
recreation and social/ community work. This experience is supported by
qualifications, such as a Diploma in Sports Coaching, Bachelor of Social Work
(honours 1st class), and he has just completed his Graduate Diploma in International
and Community Development through Deakin University and is currently completing
his Masters.
With this diverse interest, Adams role in the school has an
eclectic focus that sits within 3 spheres: Young people needing support;
positive student community engagement; leadership development and mentoring.
Young people needing
support
Adam is available for students, parents and teachers in a
pastoral setting to work through any issues. This most of the time leads to
individuals being connected to the right person in the school who then can
support the person in the best manner.
Adam also facilitates 3 therapeutic adventure programs: PEP
(Personal Empowerment program) which supports junior female student that are
looking to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Rock and Water which aims
to develop a greater self-awareness and focus with students struggling with
class behaviour. The Jig-Saw program that engages grade 10 students in a
creative charity enterprise involving up-cycling, drum making and making Cajon
drums.
Positive Student
Community Engagement
Adam facilitates a range of ongoing community activities.
These include activities such as: The Great Chappy Choc Battle, Mobile Phone
recycling, Spin Off, Sleep on a Cardboard box night, Going the Distance (6823
km school cycling race), School Café, Mother’s day Pamper evening, Ricochet
(clothes recycling), Father’s day Laser Zone, Murder Mystery Nights, Busking
Clubs, Mighty Minions (creative charity group)
and a number of others.
Adam also participates in several school camps during the
year supporting the camp programs with his experience in outdoor education. He
also is a part of the basketball coaching team, coaching the senior basketball
team to the grand final for the past two years.
Leadership and
Development
Adam is involved in supporting a number of leadership
activities in the school. Adam manages the year 11 leadership group in
collaboration with the local Lions Club. The LEOs focus is on supporting the
school, local and international community which sees them managing a number of
the community projects that create the positive community engagement for young
people. Adam also has over 30 students participating in the student Chaplaincy
Committee, a number of parent, teachers and community members that make up the
Local Chaplaincy Committee (LCC).
Adam has also supported the Peer leader training over the
last 3 years that provides our junior school leaders with counselling skills
that they can use to support their peers and then direct them to the school
based support networks.
Finally, Adam is working on creating several social
enterprise spaces within the school with The Bloom Box project, Jig-Saw program
and the Mighty Minions that sees an eclectic mix of school leaders and students
being involved.
Will my child be
involved?
Involvement with the Chaplain is entirely voluntary and
students choose whether or not they want to be a part of the activities that
are offered. Parents will be consulted
if their child wishes to be involved in ongoing one-to-one meetings with the
Chaplain or in any programme or group involving spiritual or ethical
content. Parents have the right to
refuse permission for their child to be involved in any Chaplaincy activity or
event.
How can I contact the
Chaplain?
The Chaplaincy role is currently only 4 days a week. Adam is
available every school day during school hours. Feel free to contact the
chaplain via phone or email:
Complaints
If you have any questions/objections regarding the operation
of the chaplaincy program, please contact the school Principal. All concerns will be raised as part of the
annual school community support consultation process.