Why School Chaplains are Essential for Australian Students

School chaplains play a vital role in supporting the social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of students across Australia. In fact, according to a 2017 survey by the National School Chaplaincy Association (NSCA), school chaplains provide nearly 175,000 support programs to over 1.2 million participants each year. These programs include more than 80,000 sessions focused on social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, as well as almost 50,000 educational support programs and almost 15,000 extra-curricular activities.

But the impact of school chaplains goes beyond just the programs they offer. They also have over 230,000 formal pastoral care conversations each year with students from a variety of backgrounds, including those with disabilities, Indigenous students, students in state care, and those who are culturally diverse or refugees. These conversations can lead to referrals to other sources of professional support, such as guidance officers, counsellors, and psychologists.

So who is responsible for creating the demand for these vital chaplaincy services? According to the NSCA survey, it's often those closest to the students – school staff, students themselves, and their parents and carers. In total, these groups account for 85% of referrals to school chaplains.

Without school chaplains, students, parents, and staff would be limited in terms of who they could turn to for regular support. That's why it's essential for schools to have access to trained and qualified chaplains who can provide vital support and care to students in need.