Covenant College

 By now most who read this will be aware of the Chaplaincy program at Covenant College, but possibly unsure as to what the role entails. What follows is an overview of the Chaplaincy program which will hopefully provide some idea of the activities that form part of the role.

In many ways my first year as Chaplain at Covenant College has been one of learning and growing into the role as needs and opportunities have become apparent. For me this has been a transition from teaching into Chaplaincy, a process I have found to be relatively smooth, aided by the fact that I already knew many of the students and staff members.

As Chaplain, I have been able to work across the school, getting to know many students, teachers, and parents. In particular, I have worked in the area of student welfare, providing support to students struggling with a range of issues. Over the course of the year I have provided intentional support for numerous students, regarding issues including school and study, grief and loss, relationships and social problems, and faith and spirituality. This aspect of my role has been satisfying and, from my perspective at least, productive in terms of seeking out and assisting students who may be struggling.

I have also been able to support specific staff members as they in turn assist students dealing with various issues. I have had a number of opportunities to offer support to the parent community through the extension of pastoral care, and attempt to maintain an open office where parents are free to come and talk. A further aspect of my role has been in the area of parent education. During the year I ran a two session seminar for parents focusing on adolescent boys. I also offered a ‘Seasons for Growth’ information session for parents, and spoke at a gathering of Kinder parents regarding the Chaplaincy programme. I intend extending this aspect of my role in 2009 by offering a range of parent education forums and opportunities.

I have been able to access some quality professional development activities throughout the year, which have helped skill me for the role of Chaplain. I completed a two day facilitator training course for ‘Seasons for Growth’ in June, a grief and loss program I am hoping to offer to students on an annual basis. I attended a Community Chaplaincy training day providing me with an accreditation to attend crisis/trauma situations, and I recently completed two days training in the “Coaching Young People for Success” program. This program, based on a life coaching model, has great potential for motivating and supporting students, and will be partly implemented at the Year 12 retreat in 2009. I have also attended a three day ACCESS Ministries residential conference focusing on bullying, and a two day ACCESS non-residential conference, which looked at the effects of trauma on people.

Attending excursions and camps has provided me with many excellent opportunities for connecting with students and offering support and encouragement. Over the year I have attended a number of sporting events (cricket, football, cross country, basketball, and Christian school carnivals), the Middle school Canberra camp, and a range of excursions across the year levels. These events provided wonderful opportunities for in depth conversations with students.

Generally, I have spent lunchtimes outside mingling with students and talking informally, and supervising a group of boys in the school gym. This has allowed me to engage with students who I might otherwise not connect with. In this way, I have attempted to provide support to students other than those who have visited my office for support of a more formal nature. (It should be noted that student participation in the Chaplaincy program is voluntary and they have the option of not pursuing my support should they choose to do so).

In closing, it should be noted that my two day per week appointment has been made possible through the National School Chaplaincy Programme, funded by the Federal Government. This generous initiative provides funding for three years, and hopefully beyond.

My transition into Chaplaincy has been satisfying and fulfilling, and I look forward to continuing in the role in 2009 and beyond. Please contact me at school (Mondays and Wednesdays) should you have any suggestions for Chaplaincy, or with any requests for pastoral care.

Russell Stubbings
Chaplain