The Hon. Pat Farmer, MP
Member for Macarthur
PO Box 129
Campbelltown NSW 2560
Dear Mr Farmer,
Re: National School Chaplaincy Program
The Federal Government recently announced funding of $30 million a year for 3 years for the National School Chaplaincy Program.
This program aims to
- Support the spiritual wellbeing of students
- Strengthen values
- Provide greater pastoral care
- Enhance engagement with the wider community
- General religious and personal advice
- Comfort and support to all students and staff
(Summarised from www.dest.gov.au/schools/chaplains)
Macarthur Youth Services Network support attempts to improve the non-educational needs of local young people, but has the following comments about this program.
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Macarthur Youth Services is concerned that state schools, whose communities do not currently have an affiliation with any particular religion, may find it difficult to agree on the religion to be represented in the chaplaincy, and not be able to apply for funds. Most non-government schools, alternately, already have this religious affiliation, and may find the funding process easier. If funding is allocated to Non government schools in Macarthur rather than the State High Schools, this is inequitable, and does not reflect the schools communities' relative need.
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Spiritual wellbeing, personal advice, comfort and support, and strengthening of values can be provided well by chaplains, but can also be provided by people who do not work in a religious framework.
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Youth Workers are a suitable alternative to Chaplains in High Schools. Youth Worker training includes ethics, case work, child protection, child development, community development, group work, Alcohol and other drugs and Mental Health. Youth Workers are trained to work with young people who are 'at risk'.
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A similar argument could be made for welfare and social workers as an alternative in primary schools.
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Youth workers may be more approachable to some young people than chaplains, particularly if there is a religious difference. Also, youth workers may be a less controversial appointment when there is considerable religious diversity within a school.
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Macarthur Youth Services Network supports the concept of choice for school communities. These communities should be able to choose a person in a chaplain role who is most suitable to their needs. If a particular religion, or religious spiritual advice in general, is the priority for that community, they should hire a suitable chaplain. If a community wants a person who works from a professional youth work framework, they should be able to hire a youth worker as a pastoral carer.
Macarthur Youth Services Network asks that action be taken to ensure that in the legislative process and the work of the reference committee for the National School Chaplaincy Program be directed in such a way that high school communities have the choice of hiring either a chaplain or a suitably trained youth worker. We further suggest that similar options be made available for primary school communities.
Yours truly,
Jonathan Christley
Vice Chairperson, Macarthur Youth Services Network
More information
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National School Chaplaincy Programme
www.dest.gov.au/schools/chaplains -
Contact details for your member of federal parliament
www.aph.gov.au/house/members
