The peak body representing school chaplains has called on Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to immediately clarify the ALP’s position on the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) following comments by Senator Doug Cameron in a Senate Estimates hearing today.

National School Chaplaincy Association spokesperson Peter James said Senator Cameron’s statements, particularly his claim that Labor’s view was that funding for the program could be better spent elsewhere, were at odds with the bipartisan support chaplaincy has enjoyed over many years.

“These statements show a complete ignorance of the vital role chaplains play within the overall wellbeing and support structure of schools, and the overwhelming endorsement chaplaincy has from principals and school communities,” he said.

“But more than that, it’s a departure from Labor’s historical policy, and with multiple by-elections around the corner, the voters need to know whether this is the current position or whether the senator was out of line.”

Mr James said in the marginal Queensland electorate of Longman, chaplaincy has a long and successful history with over 20,000 students depending on their chaplains’ support, and school communities would revolt against Labor if they refuse to back the continuation of the NSCP.

“I am hopeful that Senator Cameron will retract his statements, but it’s now time for Labor to be transparent with the community and publicly support chaplaincy or reveal their intentions to the contrary.

“I call on Mr Shorten to tell us now, and not wait until after the by-election, because if Labor does not continue the NSCP, every school in Longman will lose their chaplain, which they chose due to the excellent and proven work they do.”

Mr James also said third-hand claims by Greens’ Senator Sarah Hanson-Young about chaplain behaviour is likely just scare mongering, and complaints against chaplains are rare.

School chaplaincy key facts

77 per cent of NSCA chaplains exceed the Federal Government’s minimum qualification requirement of a Certificate IV in Youth Work or equivalent, holding relevant diplomas, bachelor degrees and higher in related fields, including human services, counselling and education.

In 2017 alone, funding for the National School Chaplaincy Program helped deliver:

• 67,520 formal pastoral conversations around bullying/harassment;
• One-on-one support for 28,264 students per week;
• Pastoral care for 17,867 parents, careers and school staff per week;
• 43,262 social and emotional programs and activities per term to support 314,353 students; 7,945 breakfast programs, and more.

About the NSCA

The National School Chaplaincy Association is a network of chaplaincy organisations in Australia. It is represented by ACCESS Ministries (Vic), Generate Ministries (NSW), Schools Ministry Group (SA), YouthCare (WA) and Scripture Union (ACT, Queensland, Tasmania).

About the NSCP

• The Australian Government’s National School Chaplaincy Program assists more than 3,000 schools to engage the services of a school chaplain.
• The program aims to support the emotional wellbeing of students through the provision of pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community.
• The program is voluntary for schools and students to participate in and all school chaplains must meet the minimum qualification requirement set by the Federal Government.

School children in the Lockyer Valley who miss breakfast, and those who just love to catch up with mates over a piece of toast, have been given a $10,000 helping hand thanks to a Commonwealth Bank grant.

SU QLD regional manager, Melina Wildolf, said the grant money, which came from local Commonwealth Bank staff volunteering some of their salary to support their community, would be injected into 19 Lockyer Valley school breakfast programs.

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It’s Chappy Week, and while we could talk for hours about how wonderful and amazing our chaplains are, it’s even more special when that high praise comes from other Queensland state school support staff.

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How do we put a figure on what our Chaplain brings to our school community?  To us, he is the unbiased, kind and always-caring figure who lands in our school each week, ready to scope out where he is needed and jump in to whatever is required.

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Seeing joy on children’s faces is what school chaplain Donna Shearing loves most about her role at Back Plains and Clifton state schools on the Darling Downs.

“My happiest moments are always when I see change for the better in a student’s life,” the eight-year chappy veteran said.

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Selma Dredge’s journey to becoming a school chaplain in Central Queensland was a long and winding one, but it’s one she wouldn’t change for the world.

Now Chappy Selma is enmeshed in the hearts of her students and the Biloela community, working in three small primary schools in the region – Thangool, Prospect Creek, and Banana.

“I’ll be in Woolies and the students run up to me, which is really cool,” she said with a smile.

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Chappy Dan Dubbeld walked away from a career in engineering so he could help children and young people in his community.  Now the 17-year chappy veteran, at Rasmussen State School and Thuringowa State High School, is using a community garden to help his students grow.

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Children, young people and their families in remote and regional Queensland are doing it tough – from juvenile crime, broken families, high unemployment, and struggling with isolation.

But school chaplains, like South African expat and former chef, Les van Lelyveld, are there to help their communities.

So how did a South African chef become a school chaplain in remote western Queensland?

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18Possibly the southernmost SU QLD school chaplain, Chappy Lisa Wood has been looking after the students, families and staff of Coolangatta State School for almost 11 years.

“Our school is right on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, which makes life fun during daylight savings, but most especially during State of Origin,” she laughed.

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Long-time SU QLD supporter, Greg Beech, is one busy man, but that hasn’t stopped the 55-year old from enrolling in a Certificate IV in Youth Work (CHC40413) with Scripture Union Queensland (RTO 30548).

While the nationally recognised qualification can open doors to a variety of careers working with youth, Greg said he felt drawn to school chaplaincy after seeing how his two daughters are helping children in need.

“One of my daughters is a primary school teacher in an outer Brisbane suburb and my other daughter is a social worker for child safety,” he said.

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