Any Support out there for Chaplains in your local High School? Yes

It's a little old (last year) but this article may interest any of you who are wondering:
"Is there any SUPPORTIVE press for chaplaincy in schools?!" I wouldn't blame you for asking that, after criticisms were given all the high profile spaces in print media, such as:
* The Secondary Schools Principal's Forum
* Bob Carr
* Diane Giblin from the P& C Federation of N.S.W. &
* Greens Senator Kerry Nettle.

But there are the odd reports of some clearly supportive members of the community.

But, lest we forget, those stories tend to be smaller, and certainly not considered as attractive
(to the print publishers) as people who wish to criticise, or hint at a threat of religious fanaticism
of any kind. Maybe I'm just another one of those 'unpublished stories' that doesn't get told!
(see my earlier post, about our school being interviewed & photographed for an afternoon... but
pulled from the paper in lieu of another public criticism from the Principal's Forum.)

But, we must remember not to enter ourselves in any kind of popularity contest with this
high school ministry issue, or any other public issue.
Jesus reminds: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:12-13; The Bible.)


Parents group backs school chaplains plan
Posted Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:48pm AEDT Updated Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:46am AEDT

The Australian Parents Council, which represents parents of non-government schools, has welcomed the Federal Government's plan to fund chaplains in Australian schools.
The $90 million plan would allow schools to receive up to $20,000 a year to employ a chaplain for counselling services.

The council's executive director, Ian Dalton, says pastoral care is overlooked in many schools.
He says chaplains can be effective counsellors without imparting their religious views.

"We would certainly see it more as being a process whereby young people's spirituality is addressed and nurtured as opposed to their religious beliefs, as any religious beliefs as such," Mr Dalton said.

(ABC News)