Each school situation is different and so what each Chaplain does will vary depending on their gifts and strengths and the needs of the school.   But the following is what will usually be a part of a Chaplain's role...

A chaplain is employed by local churches, the local Interchurch Council, and as such, are at their respective schools as representatives from the local churches.   Therefore, a Chaplain is NOT at the school to evangelise on behalf of a particular church or faith group, but represents many different churches.  The role of a chaplain will usually include the following...

Ø      A chaplain is available to students as a listener, friend and counsellor

Ø      A chaplain works in co-operation with student counsellors,

Ø      A chaplain encourages and supports staff,

Ø      A chaplain provides support for families in time of need,

Ø      A chaplain arranges and participates in Christian Option Seminars,

Ø      A chaplain provides lunchtime activities in the school,

Ø      A chaplain is a support, resource and referral person for teachers,

Ø      A chaplain works with others in the community to develop services, programmes and strategies that meet the needs of young people living in the area. 

Again chaplains are not in the school to evangelise on behalf of a particular faith group, and they respect the secular character of the Government School.  Chaplaincy is primarily a service of pastoral care, available to students who want it.  Chaplains are of course, as entitled as anyone else to speak of their personal beliefs when asked by students in voluntary situations, yet the initiative rests with the enquirer, and Chaplains are there to support not instruct.  A Chaplain's primary clients are students, however they are available to families and the wider school community.

This is brief overview of what Chaplains do in schools, and as I said each chaplain is different and each school is different, so each chaplain will do different things to meet the needs of their students at their respective schools. 

 

I myself have been involved in a number of areas at Ross Smith. I occasionally work with students on a one to one basis giving them assistance with schoolwork they may be struggling with.  I also do a lot of counselling and pastoral care, this can, and often does, include working with families and can be outside of normal school hours.  Life's challenges do not wear watches, nor have they read my timetable.  I have been involved in a number of excursions and in term one 2003 was involved in the fishing activities in the year 8 activity line.  Alas, we did not catch much, apart from some sunburn on my face, legs, arms and head.

 

I also run a games time in D4 during lunch on Tues & Wed, I have just introduced a new card game, spoons, it’s a lot of fun.  I also help run a Friday lunch time program where some members of a local church come to the school and run some fun games and activities with lots of chocolate & coke to give away.

 

I enjoy being a school chaplain, being there for young people who need a friend, or a supportive shoulder to cry on.  I know from personal experience that life often throws us some pretty hard stuff, sometimes so hard that we need someone to help us get through.  I believe that, what some people call - obstacles or bad experiences, are in fact challenges to be overcome, not to run away from.  That is why I became a school chaplain, to help young people to overcome life's challenges.

I trust that this has given you some insight as to what the role of a chaplain is.  Ours is, I believe, a very important ministry and one that has many rewards, as well as challenges.  Chaplaincy may not be a well paid vocation, but all of the chaplains I know, myself included, are in this ministry because we have a heart for young people, a yearning to see them become the best that they can be, and to succeed in life.

 

 

 I hope that this gives a clearer picture of what I do as school chaplain.  Check out my home page to find out more about me and my family, you can also read my story of how God rescued me from a life of drugs & crime on the streets of Kings Cross in Sydney. My Website