Lindy Bailey has been the chaplain at Riverside Primary School for the past five years, works some days at East Launceston Primary School and is also on the chaplaincy committee at Summerdale Primary School.

The role of chaplains came under the spotlight only weeks ago when a Queensland father won his High Court challenge against the National School Chaplaincy Program, successfully arguing it violated the separation of church and state and encroached on the state's powers over education.

A week after the decision, the federal government rushed through legislation that allowed the program continue.

Ms Bailey said the term chaplain meant different things to different people.

``To me I have no connotations of chaplain in a bad way but if someone else has, then maybe that's a discussion that needs to be had,'' Ms Bailey said.

``I do think one of the biggest things is understanding that role.

``Many of the schools that have the chaplains now, I think the families are really starting to take it on and be quite happy and are really supportive of it.

``It isn't religion as such, it's a spiritual support for those who need it but there's no pushing of anything on anyone.''

She said it was quite clearly laid down in her contract that she was not allowed to evangelise, but her role was about supporting the school.

Ms Bailey said she had an open-door policy, where students could come into her office for a chat.

At other times they would be referred to her by teachers.

She also works with class teachers to offer activities to engage students in learning.

Any religious-related activities required parental consent, such as activities focused around Easter or Christmas.