At Bedourie State School, we are fortunate to have had access to a chaplain over a number of years who played an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our school community. However, over the past 2 years, Scripture Union has been unable to secure someone for the role.
Chaplains provide additional care and support for students, staff and families. They help to foster a positive school culture by:
- supporting student wellbeing and resilience
- offering a listening ear and trusted adult presence
- assisting with classroom and playground activities
- supporting parent and community engagement
- helping monitor and promote overall school wellbeing.
Participation in any activities offered by the chaplain is entirely voluntary for students and families.
Chaplains must:
- hold the required qualifications to work in schools
- respect all values and beliefs, and are not permitted to proselytise
- be engaged through an Accredited Employing Authority (AEA) when funded through government programs.
When we have a chaplain, they are considered a valued member of the school team, providing guidance, encouragement and a sense of belonging to students across all year levels.