NORTH ZONE: Director’s Update with Ian Cumming

Welcome to the 2022 school year! I’m looking forward to journeying together into all this year will hold. Without further ado, let’s get into the updates.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

It has caused much sadness for us and our wonderful chaplains that due to the COVID-19 regulations released late last year, individuals can no longer enter school grounds or youth detention facilities without being double-dose vaccinated.

We are well aware of the gravity of this situation and the way it has affected many in our networks. Our hearts are also with schools who have lost a central pillar in their community as chaplains have had to discontinue in their roles.

Going forwards, we are working closely with schools to replace chaplains that have had to leave, but we want all of our recently-departed chaplains to know they have certainly left a hole behind. We will miss them and are 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. 

Yet, 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

On a more practical note, 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 North Zone Update

Our FDMs will be working closely with LCC chairs throughout this year, so keep your ears open for more details from your FDMs. 

It has been encouraging to see developments in our North Zone region, in particular across the Northern Territory where Ox has been having numerous conversations with the Chief Minister about increasing funding in schools and support for indigenous communities. This is an exciting space, and we look forward to keeping you updated with developments as the year goes on. 

A big focus for 2022 will be about embracing big-picture thinking about ways we can best support and serve our young people and their families. With a number of rural vacancies in our outback communities, the mobile chaplaincy model is one we are looking at replicating in more communities, and with funding support available from the NSCP, we are eager to support a greater quantity of schools. A new wave of camps are also on the horizon for the North Zone, in particular for young people in our remote communities

We’re looking forward to all that’s ahead this year, and wanted to 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. 

God Bless,

Ian Cumming