As the chaplain at Caboolture Special School I endeavour to show our young people that they are valued for who they are and that they have something to contribute to the school community and the greater community.
So many people ask so what do you do? To put it simply the chaplain spends time with people and staff. Now this can be done over playing a board game, playing the Xbox or even spending lunch times playing soccer or cricket.
I am also here when a student wants to talk to a non threatening adult, they may want to talk to me about what they have been doing on the weekend, what movies they have seen or about a funeral that they have just been too.
I also get asked by teachers to come and help on various outings and also to come and run a group on a particular topic which may range from some team building exercises, to what happens when we all grow up. With some of the older students I have run a small workshop on how to identify what you want and from that set goals that they can take steps toward.
I also provide a link to parents for outside agencies and organisations that can offer assistance in times of need. I have parents who ring and ask if I can reinforce something that they have been trying to teach their teenager at home.
As the chaplain I can also provide a link to local youth groups that are safe and offer an encouraging environment for young people to meet and hang out with other young people.
One of the big things that chaplains do is run all sorts of camps in the holidays for young people to go on. I often have parents and staff asking me if there are any camps coming up and if they would be suitable for their daughter or son to attend.
As the chaplain I am in Wednesday, Thursday and Friday's if you would like to speak to me or get in contact please
contact the school office.