"State School Chaplains: What do they do?" Part I

Hi there.
This little Blog'o'mine is (like all journals) mostly concerned with my work context and the aspects of work and issues that arise within that context (excluding OTHER contexts for
school ministry, I realise.) Several phone conversations I've had lately, to assist others in building a ministry model in the "chaplaincy" style. I'm finding that the term "Chaplain" is a very confused one - having both a traditional 'church school' teacher meaning; and increasingly
an emerging meaning of values-based religious pastoral carer. No WONDER people I've met are asking for DETAIL on what the 'newer' chaplains are actually doing with their time!

I include this TWO-PART series of posts to fill in some of the void of concrete detail on
what state school chaplains are usually doing with our time. This first part has a 'breakdown' of my time into categories, over a monthly period. It's only an average, but may help you. The NEXT part will include a generic document prepared by S.U. Queensland - for school ministry groups to build chaplaincy planning on.

Epping Boys High School
Ministry Worker: Time Usage
[Prepared May, 2007]

Teach SRE. 4%
Pastoral Care. 49%
Welfare programs (needs based). 2%
Involved in School camps/fixtures/excursions/admin. 9%
Work in STLA – Teacher’s Aide. 14%
Academic/Life Mentoring. 3%
General Spiritual guidance Students/Staff. 11%
Specialised Care – Special Issues. 8%

Worker use of time across selected period: MONTHLY (160 hours)
WORK TYPE: HOURS:
Teach SRE 6 [1.5/week]
Pastoral Care 80 [20]
Welfare programs (needs based) 3 [0.75]
Involved in School camps/fixtures/
excursions/admin 15 [3.75]
Work in STLA – Teacher’s Aide 22 [5.5]
Academic/Life Mentoring 4 [1]
General Spiritual guidance Students
/Staff 18 [4.5]
Specialised Care – Special Issues 12 [3]

Notes:
· that “Pastoral Care” encompasses day-to-day availability to students and staff as required, Response to critical incidents & crisis – variety of contexts (Home, School, Hospital.)
· that “Special Issues” encompasses depression & anxiety sufferers, Grief issues, estrangement from parents, & is frequently by referral from year advisors.
· That “STLA” means Support Teacher Learning Area: within which Teacher's Aides
provide support in-class (& out) for student's with learning & behavioural difficulties.


STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO.
Al H.