EAST ZONE: Director’s Update with Jenni Dobbin

Thank you so much for your continued support this year. It’s been a big one in many ways, and as we reach the final leg of the race, I have some important chaplaincy updates for you.


NATIONAL EVALUATION

We’re so grateful for everyone who filled in the National Evaluation survey, and had their say about the impact and importance of chaplaincy in their local community. While we haven’t yet received the full report, we know there were lots of positive community representatives, Principals, Mayors, State MPs and more who filled in responses. Thank you again to everyone who took the time to fill this out. 


NEW CHAPLAINCY FUNDING ROUND AND NEW CHAPLAINS

We are pleased to announce that Peter James has just received notification from Commonwealth Education Minister Jason Clare confirming some details of the next round of chaplaincy funding from 2023. The National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) will be re-named as the National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP). The initial funding will be at the same levels as currently. Schools will be able to choose either a chaplain or a student wellbeing officer, which has been in place previously. Qualifications remain the same.

We are so pleased to have funding for chaplaincy renewed!

Some other exciting news to share with you all is that we had 50 new chaplains inducted over the Spring school holidays! This is a fantastic achievement, and it means our vacancy rate has gone down as well. We’re looking forward to hearing how our new chappies settle into their school communities.


SPRING CAMPS

In the East Zone, we had over 1,500 campers and 450 camp leaders take part in the Spring Camping Season. Many of our leaders were volunteers, and we’re so appreciative of them and all they contributed. It was a wonderful season.

We ended up holding 28 camps across the East Zone – ranging from art camps, beach camps, Splashout, Mapleton Adventure and much more, and it was one of our biggest camping seasons ever. It was fantastic to see our young people getting out and making new friends, and coming back into their school environments in a great state of mind.

 


SALARY INCREASES AND CHAPLAINCY CHARGE RATE

As mentioned in Term 3’s update: SU Australia’s leadership team has been carefully considering the cost of living pressures we are all experiencing, including the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Review of wages. This is a complex area, with costs rising in different ways for different items, and it means  household budgets have been under pressure, particularly for people earning chaplaincy wages. 

In line with statutory requirements, chaplains’ superannuation has been increased by 0.5% since July 2022, as well as the base pay of all chaplains across the nation by 4.75% to reflect underlying cost of living pressures. That percentage aligns with the Fair Work Commission’s analysis for equivalent circumstances. 

We’re working as quickly as possible on the chaplaincy charge rate for 2023, and as soon as we have approval from DoE for 2023 pricing, we’ll let you know. We do know that prices will rise by about 5% because costs of salary, superannuation and workcover have already risen by more than that.

Thank you for your patience, and if you have any questions about your chaplaincy service and wage increases, please contact the team at support@su.org.au.


RENEWING CHAPLAINCY CONTRACTS FOR 2023

The Federal Government has announced its intention to renew chaplaincy funding and the QLD Department of Education has renewed their contract with SU Australia until the end of 2024.

SU Australia will offer all chaplains a contract extension letter to continue their employment. Contract extension letters will be issued via our electronic recruitment portals and will require electronic acceptance. It’s also worth noting some people will be moving up to the next salary band in 2023, and this information will be included in their individual letter.

LCC’s are reminded that progression to the “E2” and “E3” level Chaplaincy Salary Bands is discretionary and initiated by nomination from the Local Chaplaincy Committee (LCC). Chaplains with 8 and 10 years experience may be moved to E2 or E3 bands. LCC’s need to submit an Experienced Chaplain Salary Application Form to support@su.org.au this term.


DoE FUNDRAISING POLICY

The Department of Education has recently updated their Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Fundraising Guidelines, and these changes will affect LCCs and what they can use their funds for. 

The main things to be aware of is that funding, including community raised funds sourced specifically for chaplaincy worker services, can only be used for purposes that directly relate to that service.

This includes:

  • The engagement of a chaplain and/or student welfare worker (depending on which service the funds have been allocated or fundraised for) through an AEA,
  • Approved work plan activities,
  • Increasing the hours of a pre-existing chaplain or student welfare worker

This does not include:

  • Transport and registration fees for students, including to community-based activities, workshops or camps that are held off-site,
  • Purchase of general school resources (e.g. books, stationery)

Anything that has been approved in your chaplains’ work plan (including programs or chaplaincy fundraising dinners or events) will be suitable. 


LCC QR CODES

So that donations can go directly to your school, SU Australia has created a QR Code mechanism for fundraising events. LCCs are welcome to use this resource that’s been specifically designed for each individual school. 

You can find your unique QR Code on the front page of your Community Dashboard. 

If you have any questions about this, please contact the team at support@su.org.au or phone 1300 478 753.


Thank you as always for your support of the chaplain/s in your school community. We are so grateful for your involvement and investment in the lives of our young people.

Blessings this term,

Jenni Dobbin