Welcome to the 2022 school year! What a privilege it is to journey together into all this year will hold. Without further ado, let’s get into the updates.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
As you will no doubt be aware, due to the requirement that all individuals entering school grounds or youth detention facilities must be double-dose vaccinated, a number of our chaplains have recently had to stand down from their roles.
We are very aware that this news has caused major disruptions to many in our networks, and our hearts are with schools who have lost a central pillar in their community as chaplains have had to discontinue in their roles.
Going forward, we are working closely with schools to replace departing chaplains. For those chaplains who have had to stand down, we will miss them and are extremely grateful for the years of service they have invested caring for our young people and families.
We understand this news coming right at the end of 2021 meant there was a shadow hanging over the holiday break for many, and our LCCs across the country have also not been immune to the sorrow of losing their valued chappies.
Reflecting over the break, I was thinking back to when the school chaplaincy program was introduced in schools over three decades ago, and how it is and always has been, a privilege to serve our communities in this way. At this challenging time, I believe it’s important to remember and be grateful for the wonderful support that has been provided to countless young lives through chaplaincy services across the country. It’s been a blessing to work with many of you over the years, and I’m grateful and proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together.
In the middle of our grieving, hope shines through, and we have been encouraged by the news that there are still many schools eager to get a chaplain in their community. If you know someone who has a heart to serve our young people, and who meets the updated requirements, please let them know they can express their interest here at startchaplaincy.com.
We also have a list of current vacancies advertised on our website
Budgets, purchase orders and invoices
The start of a new school year means paperwork! And lots of it!
SU has emailed every school principal with their Schedule A; Contract Schedule to be signed and returned. For those whose chaplains are continuing as normal, we’ve sent out a request for a purchase order so we can send invoices. Some good news on invoices is that the Department of Education has agreed invoices are to be provided per semester, rather than quarterly. This will save schools’ time and allow LCCs to budget well over a more comprehensive period. We have an updated budget tool for you here.
Forums and a thank you
We will once again be running LCC forums in Term 1, so keep your ears open for more details from your FDMs.
Since becoming SU Australia back in the middle of 2021, our aim is to see each child and young person in every school and community across the country, having access to a chaplain. It’s a big dream, but by working together, we have the opportunity to see real change happen and be part of that legacy ourselves.
Thank you for all you do to support our young people and chappies. It is nothing short of a team effort to keep a chaplaincy service up and running, and we are so grateful for all you do to keep it going day after day.
Looking forward to partnering with you in the year ahead.
Blessings,
Jenni Dobbin