Chaplaincy Services provide
social, emotional and spiritual support to school communities.
Scripture Union Qld chaplains provide positive adult role models for students. Chaplains are present in schools at the invitation of the Principal, in consultation with the local community, overseen by the local chaplaincy committee and with the support of the P&C Association.
Working with other members of the school’s support team, the chaplain cares for students struggling with issues such as difficult relationships with other children or family members, poor self-esteem, family breakdown, and depression.
The partnership between the school and the chaplaincy service, supported by local churches, businesses and community organisations, provides a network of local support and assistance. These positive relationships help young people to face difficult issues, and provide hope, connection, meaning, and purpose.
The chaplaincy service is available to everyone in the school community regardless of their religious beliefs.
“The voice of each child is valued”
We have an active chaplaincy program at Corinda State School which has been operating for several years now. Our chaplain, Mrs Hedy Voges-Haug (known to the students as Mrs V) is in her fourteenth year as school chaplain and provides an invaluable service to our school community. Mrs V is a much loved personality within our school.
She is that safe person that anyone in the school community can access and provides a listening ear, and a caring presence. Hedy runs positive, fun activities for students and assists in fostering a supportive, caring school community. Her professional background is in special needs and disability, nursing and early childhood education, and she has a Diploma in Social Science (counselling). Hedy is a mother of six children and Oma (dutch for grandmother) of two teenagers. She has a heart for all people.
What does chaplaincy look like at Corinda State School?
The school chaplain participates in school events and holiday programs, facilitates a weekly breakfast club, lunchtime art 'n' craft clubs and friendship clubs, visits classrooms, meets with individual students and student groups dealing with social and emotional issues, has visits from parents and carers, runs programs that help students develop social and life skills, organizes visiting performers, and writes regular articles for the weekly school newsletter. Our chaplain also does hospital visits, and provides support to students and families in cases of bereavement, difficult family relationships, or other crisis and loss situations. Whilst at school, she makes herself available by walking around the school grounds, in the office that she shares with the school guidance officer, and also during the lunch breaks in her 'Happy Haven' chaplaincy playroom.
Will my child be involved?
There is a parental consent process for our school students to have continuing visits with Mrs V.
Involvement with the chaplain is entirely voluntary and students choose whether or not they want to be a part of the activities that are offered. Parents will be consulted if their child wishes to be involved in ongoing one-to-one meetings with the chaplain or in any programme or group involving spiritual or ethical content. Parents have the right to refuse permission for their child to be involved in any chaplaincy activity or event.
How can I contact the chaplain?
Hedy welcomes visits from parents and is a the school on Mondays and Fridays. She can be contacted by phone on 3716 2333 or email at hvoge5@eq.edu.au
How can I help the chaplaincy program?
You can support School Chaplaincy at Corinda State School by making a financial donation (fully tax deductible), specifying Corinda State School Chaplaincy as the recipient. Please contact Scripture Union QLD directly on 1300478753 or donate online.