What a year it has been – with still plenty left in store.
I trust that your chaplains returned to you feeling refreshed after Staff Conference in August. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them and hearing of all the great work they are doing in the lives of children and young people across Queensland.
Thank you for supporting them in that important work.
You and I know it is vital that school chaplaincy continues going forward. We all have a critical role to play in making that a reality.
As Jenni mentioned in her update, the current round of NSCP funding will come to an end in 2018. The positive news in all of this is – as you will no doubt know – school chaplaincy is overwhelmingly endorsed by school communities and the thousands of Queensland families who have directly benefitted from this service.
It is a service that transcends politics, as demonstrated by the ongoing support it has enjoyed from successive Commonwealth and State Governments since 2006. We are optimistic that this support will continue, even as we work closely with Local, State and Federal politicians in the lead up to next year.
I would encourage you to highlight the importance of chaplaincy to your local Members of Parliament and get friends, family and colleagues to do the same.
I look forward to sharing more with you on this in the New Year. Thank you again for all you do.
Best wishes,
Peter James, CEO SU QLD.