June 2010 . . NEW CHAPLAIN APPOINTED
AT MT SAMSON SCHOOL
Mrs Rosie Thomas has been appointed as the first Chaplain at the Mt Samson State School. Rosie has a strong background in working with kids at schools being an experienced Primary School Teacher in both the private and public sectors as well as being a Chaplain at another school.
Rosie is employed for two days per week and is still settling into the school. She has been meeting the staff and many of the parents as well as dropping in on the kids at every opportunity. Already she shows signs of becoming a very popular addition to the school staff.
Historically, Chaplains have been appointed to schools sparingly due to the cost of their employment. Several years ago the previous Federal Government allocated some funds for this purpose and unfortunately, the Mt Samson School did not apply so have no access to Government funding at any level.
School Chaplains are pastoral care workers who provide a neutral corner for students, teachers and parents alike. They are not counsellors and are not part of Education Queensland staffing so have some freedoms that teachers may not experience.
They are employed through the Scripture Union and have a responsibility to report to the Principal in terms of their school activities. In other words, they have mixed relationships with SU (their employer) and the School Principal. To make matters more interesting they are supported by a network of people from the general community known as the Local Chaplaincy Committee, in this case the Samford Districts Schools’ Chaplaincy Committee (SDSCC), which also has the responsibility of providing the service at the Samford School.
The SDSCC is responsible for several aspects of this arrangement;
Providing a prayerful support for the Chaplain,
Assisting with the various programs that the Chaplain arranges within the school environment, and
Raising the funds to cover the chaplain’s wages, on-costs and professional training. Additional funds are needed to cover activities that the Chaplain introduces into the school.
It costs around $10,000 per year for each day that a Chaplain is employed so for the two day arrangement we need to raise $20,000 per year. This is a constant distraction and a chance for people to work together for the good of the future leaders of our community.
To make this possible we try to encourage people to sign up for a regular monthly (or other) donation to the program. One can eat an elephant if one takes enough bites and the same applies here. If we have enough people/businesses making regular donations then the problem is behind us and we can get on with the real task of supporting the Chaplains in their important work. If you can assist us in this way please call me on 3289 3475. All contributions to chaplaincy attract a tax deduction.
Chaplain Rosie can be contacted through the school or at the Dayboro Day activities. She would love to meet as many people from the local area as possible so don’t feel that you have to hang back.
We all look forward to watching this service develop in Mt Samson and your support will ensure its success.
Historically, Chaplains have been appointed to schools sparingly due to the cost of their employment. Several years ago the previous Federal Government allocated some funds for this purpose and unfortunately, the Mt Samson School did not apply so have no access to Government funding at any level.
School Chaplains are pastoral care workers who provide a neutral corner for students, teachers and parents alike. They are not counsellors and are not part of Education Queensland staffing so have some freedoms that teachers may not experience.
They are employed through the Scripture Union and have a responsibility to report to the Principal in terms of their school activities. In other words, they have mixed relationships with SU (their employer) and the School Principal. To make matters more interesting they are supported by a network of people from the general community known as the Local Chaplaincy Committee, in this case the Samford Districts Schools’ Chaplaincy Committee (SDSCC), which also has the responsibility of providing the service at the Samford School.
The SDSCC is responsible for several aspects of this arrangement;
Providing a prayerful support for the Chaplain,
Assisting with the various programs that the Chaplain arranges within the school environment, and
Raising the funds to cover the chaplain’s wages, on-costs and professional training. Additional funds are needed to cover activities that the Chaplain introduces into the school.
It costs around $10,000 per year for each day that a Chaplain is employed so for the two day arrangement we need to raise $20,000 per year. This is a constant distraction and a chance for people to work together for the good of the future leaders of our community.
To make this possible we try to encourage people to sign up for a regular monthly (or other) donation to the program. One can eat an elephant if one takes enough bites and the same applies here. If we have enough people/businesses making regular donations then the problem is behind us and we can get on with the real task of supporting the Chaplains in their important work. If you can assist us in this way please call me on 3289 3475. All contributions to chaplaincy attract a tax deduction.
Chaplain Rosie can be contacted through the school or at the Dayboro Day activities. She would love to meet as many people from the local area as possible so don’t feel that you have to hang back.
We all look forward to watching this service develop in Mt Samson and your support will ensure its success.
God bless,
Chris Ellis,
President, SDSCC Ph. 3289 3475.
