THE role of school chaplains is somewhat unknown throughout society despite half Tasmania's schools boasting one.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This week is Chaplaincy Week and the main theme behind it is to generate awareness about the work the state's 100-plus Scripture Union Tasmania and private chaplains do.
Longford Primary School chaplain Bec Hilder said chaplains were an essential part of the education system, and added there were a lot of misconceptions about her profession.
``Sometimes there is a sense that we bring a religious agenda, which couldn't be further from the truth,'' Ms Hilder said.
``Chaplains are essential . . . because I think it is a chance for the kids to have another adult around that is not a teacher, but to add that extra sense of someone between a friend and a teacher.
``Someone they can have guidance and support from, and someone to be a friend just to listen to their jokes or something that might be going wrong for them.''
Longford Primary School pupils yesterday held a pancake breakfast and are running a Caring Community Art Exhibition in the town until Sunday.
Another major focus of the week is to gather sponsorship to help keep chaplains in schools.
The federal government provides $20,000 to schools with chaplains, but the full cost to employ a chaplain two days a week is $24,000 a year.