The Marian State School Chaplaincy Service operates on Mondays and Fridays each week and seeks to provide an engaging and transformational pastoral care program that is available to the entire school community.
Our Chaplain role-models positive behaviour and builds mentoring relationships with students by being involved in many of our school events, classroom activities and year level excursions, as well as being available to play games, sports and other activities during lunchtime breaks.
The Chaplaincy service also proactively seeks to build emotional resilience, leadership potential and life skills in students through delivering supportive activities to selected students. Our chaplain is available to provide confidential One-on-One Pastoral care to students who are struggling with Life issues. One-on-One Pastoral care is often initiated by parental or teacher referrals and requires written consent.
What do chaplains do?
A school chaplain is a safe person for young people to connect with at school, providing a listening ear, caring presence and a message of hope. A chaplain provides pastoral care for students struggling with a range of issues, within themselves or their family networks, which may include family problems, peer pressure, friendship difficulties, low self esteem, bullying, depression, drug and alcohol issues, and /or physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Chaplains run positive, fun activities for young people both in and out of school, and foster a supportive, caring school community. This includes support for at-risk students, support for staff and families from the wider school community, and spiritual support and discretion for the school community.
The partnership between the school and the chaplain, supported by the local churches, businesses and community organizations, provides a network of local support and assistance. These positive relationships help young people o face issues, and provide hope, connection, meaning and purpose.
Who is Scripture Union Queensland (SU QLD?)
SU QLD is an interdenominational Christian Organization, which is officially endorsed by Education Queensland as an accredited employing authority for school chaplains. SU QLD has worked in schools for more than 75 years, in partnership with local churches and community groups. Since 1990, SU QLD has been the leading supplier of school chaplains in Queensland state schools, currently training, supporting, equipping and overseeing more than 500 schools Chaplaincy Services.
Disclaimer
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education.
Acknowledgement
This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education under the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program.