Peter’s CEO Spot – Update
Our vision here at SU QLD is simple: to see each child and young person connected and supported in community, serving others, and experiencing fullness of life. It’s not complicated, but it does make a profound difference to the way our staff and, in particular, our chaplains, view their work and their mission. Our chaplains […]
Read MoreChaplain’s Community Development Role – How it Helps Kids…
“It takes a village to raise a child”… At the heart of the many definitions and interpretations of this concept is the essential understanding that social networks are valuable. In his book ‘Bowling Alone’, Robert Putman makes the observation that people are happier, healthier, more honest, generous, prosperous and secure when their lives are characterised […]
Read MoreCommunity program in the spotlight: Rod Riggers
Chaplain Ryan Green has been running a community mentoring program – called Rod Riggers – at Toogoolawah State High School for the last two years. In Rod Riggers, a small group of Year 8 or Year 9 boys meet weekly in the school’s manual arts room with volunteers from the local fishing club, to make […]
Read MorePeter’s CEO Spot – The High Court Decision
It’s been a busy month! In case you hadn’t heard, on Thursday, 19th June, the High Court of Australia handed down their decision on continued Federal funding for school chaplaincy. Unfortunately (but not unexpectedly) the judges found in favour of the defendant, meaning that once again a new funding structure will need to be put […]
Read MoreThe Spiritual lives of young people
‘Spirituality’ means different things to different people (1). For some, it’s about everyday values and meaning. For others, it’s about a connection to ‘something out there’ or with a very definite divine ‘someone out there’ (2). Despite this diversity of views, spirituality does have some elements commonly associated with it: meaning and purpose; connection to […]
Read MoreSupporter in the spotlight – St George branch supports chaplaincy after seeing the impact on its customers
St George Calamvale Branch Manager, Darren Weekes, first became aware of SU QLD’s chaplaincy program about four years ago. “I’ve heard so many stories of how the chaplain has intervened and helped children and their families considerably. The work of chaplains is phenomenal to me,” Darren says. “We see families come in that have gone […]
Read MorePromotion opportunity in the Spotlight -Build awareness through media coverage
Informing local media about chaplaincy events and telling journalists about ‘good news’ stories are great ways of building awareness about chaplaincy in the community. Local media – including newspapers, radio and television stations – want to write about useful information and news that will interest their particular community. Since chaplaincy is about serving the community, […]
Read MoreCEO Spot – Post-High court, post-Federal budget
Finally, more than 10 months of hard work has culminated in our High Court hearing from the 6th-8th May. Not only has the court has heard Mr Williams’ opposing views, but they have heard the government’s views about how school chaplaincy helps achieve National Education Goals by developing students in social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, […]
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