39%61%

2018 SU QLD SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY SNAPSHOT

Cert. IV (minimum qualification)

Other

Advanced Diploma

Bachelor Degree22%

Diploma46%

Post-Graduate15%

Gender

86% of chaplains exceed the minimum qualification level of Cert. IV across Youth Work, Social Science, Education, Ministry/ Theology and other disciplines.

Q U I C K F A C T S

W H AT D O E S A S C H O O L C H A P L A I N D O ?

Generations Qualifications

0.7%

24.4%

39.6%

33.9%

1.4%

Builders (71-91yrs old)

Baby Boomers (52-70yrs old)

Generation X (37-51yrs old)

Generation Y (22-36yrs old)

Generation Z (6-21yrs old)

Social, emotional and spiritual support

Educational support

Role modelling and mentoring

Extra-curricular activities

Community development

How much time do chaplains spend on each of their key role areas?

The average age of an SU QLD school chaplain is 43 years of age.

9% 7

% 6% 47% 17%

14%

Team contributions

School chaplains have been providing social, emotional and spiritual support in schools for over 26 years. Throughout 2017 we collected information on their activities and impact and we are pleased to share our findings with you.

School chaplains provide social, emotional and spiritual support, enhancing a school’s overall wellbeing strategy and contributing to their educational goals.

Chaplains promote positive spirituality in all that they do, providing opportunities for students, staff and families to take advantage of spiritual strengths, assets and resources available to them.

“Chappy Josh inspired me to

help and comfort other people. He helped me

come out of my shell and not be

afraid to be me.”

Shyla, aged 16

“Chappies really help people who have a lot of issues in their life. I think if Jules wasn’t there for me, I would probably still be angry now.”

Jaziya, aged 9

W H AT I S T H E I M PA C T O F A S C H O O L C H A P L A I N ?

SU QLD school chaplains meet the minimum qualification standards set by the state and federal governments.

3%

3%

11%Did you know?

W H AT D O E S S C H O O L C H A P L A I N C Y L O O K L I K E ?

How many programs do chaplains run in an average school term?*

W H AT O T H E R W AY S D O S C H O O L C H A P L A I N S P R O V I D E S U P P O R T ?

Chaplains make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of school communities through the facilitation of social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing programs, such as FRIENDS Resilience, Triple P and Seasons for Growth.

340 339

186 354

*Figures are rounded

Spiritual Support ProgramsBreakfast Clubs

Educational Support

Social-Emotional Support Programs

19 27

267 268

Grief and Loss ProgramsFunerals and Memorials

Mentoring and Role-modelling

Community Development Events and Activities

Mother Theresa once said, ‘Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love’.

It’s this same thought that led Chappy Rosalie to start ‘Petite Sisterhood’ – a program for Prep and Year 1 girls at Narangba Valley State School.

Rosalie’s program empowers young girls to spread kindness in their school and their local community through simple acts like writing encouragement notes for teachers, making a thank you banner for the school cleaners, and a ‘box of sunshine’ for the principal.

“One of the more practical activities is when the girls help make 50 homeless lunch packs, which I take and deliver to a local community action centre,” Rosalie says.

At the first ‘Petite Sisterhood’, Rosalie talked about 5 cent coins not being able to do much on their own, but could make a big impact when brought together.

“I took along a big tin, and told the girls they could bring in 5 cent coins if they wanted to,” Rosalie recalls.

“Some of the girls hopped up on stage at junior and senior assemblies to ask the parents and other students to join them in collecting 5 cent coins.

“The whole school got behind them, and they ended up raising $376.05 in 5 cent coins, which we then donated to the Love your Sister cancer awareness campaign,” Rosalie says.

Little girls discover they can make a big difference

EVERY YEARchaplains have

formal conversationsand

informal conversationsWITH STUDENTS

Top 5 issues students talk to chaplains about

H O W D O S C H O O L C H A P L A I N S H E L P S T U D E N T S ?

56%

Mental health

48%

Family - breakdown / parental separation

3 Bullying / harassment12%

2

1

School behaviour13%

16%Friendships / peer issues

153,240

388,960

W H O D O S C H O O L C H A P L A I N S TA L K T O ?

With students,chaplains have

of their pastoral conversations. So in an

average 3 day week, a chaplain would have

pastoral conversations every week, which makes up

13,555

62%

With school staff, chaplains have

of their pastoral conversations. So in an

average 3 day week, a chaplain would have

pastoral conversationsevery week, which makes up

5,211

24%

With parents/carers, chaplains have

of their pastoral conversations. So in an

average 3 day week, a chaplain would have

pastoral conversationsevery week, which makes up

pastoral conversations. pastoral conversations. pastoral conversations.

3,025

14%

23* 9* 5**Figures are

rounded

Meetings with other school staff and community groups*

What’s the difference between an informal and formal conversation?

223

179

131

80

45

268

398

871

1,147

Welfare worker *Figures are rounded

School police officer

Community education coordinator

Community groups & promotional events

School nurse

Youth support coordinator

Combined student support meeting

Guidance officer

School line managers

School chaplaincy services are available to everyone in schools, and students, staff and families all access them. Chaplains complement other school support services by offering support through pastoral conversations, but not counselling or case management.

While chaplains are not employed to do counselling or case management, they respond effectively to student issues, including through referral to relevant internal and external agencies.

A formal conversation requires resolution, referral or follow-up. An informal conversation, though significant, requires no further action.

Students approach school chaplains for support across a broad range of personal, family, friendship and school issues.

W H E R E A R E O U R S C H O O L C H A P L A I N S ?

This research and design was undertaken in partnership with

Different types of schools chaplains work in

If you would like to download this report, visit www.suqld.org.au/snapshot2018.

4

2

1

1

1

4

27

166

663

D O S C H O O L C H A P L A I N S S U P P O R T T H O S E AT- R I S K ?

North Queensland

South Queensland

Central Queensland

Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay

Brisbane 224 schools

141 schools

259 schools

127 schools

118 schools

Distribution of Chaplains

Indigenous

Alternate education

Hospital-based school

Specialist Academies

Non-state schools

Distance education

Special

Secondary

Primary

Culturally and linguistically diverse 4%

Disability/special needs 10%

Indigenous 18%

In care of Dept. of Child Safety 9% Australian Defence

Forces children 2%

Refugee 2%

LGBTIQ+ 2%

While school chaplains are available to everyone, they are particularly invested in supporting individuals and groups who might be considered at-risk, increasing their chances of experiencing better life outcomes.

Students who identify as Indigenous, are in-care or have disabilities can experience on-going difficulties across a range of areas as they grow older. Through early intervention activities, school chaplains are supporting at-risk students, increasing their chances of experiencing better life outcomes.

m c c r i n d l e . c o m . a u

47% of students who talk to their chaplain are considered at-risk