Programs

School Chaplaincy

SU Qld first introduced a chaplain to a State school in 1990.

Since this time, and thanks largely to federal funding, school chaplaincy has grown to be a frontline service of almost 500 chappies in over 600 schools around Queensland.

This unprecedented growth in SU Qld’s chaplaincy service has had an immediate and positive impact on the lives of over 330,000 school students across the state. As a result, a record number of school children now have access to a dedicated school chaplain.

Collectively, SU Qld is now supporting around 500 “chappies” in primary schools, secondary schools, P12 and special schools in all corners of the state. SU Qld chappies are now placed in around 80 percent of state high schools and some 40 percent of primary schools.

School chaplains complement existing support and care programs by specifically addressing students’ spiritual and emotional needs.

They also provide pastoral care; help students at risk through adventure-based learning; run holiday camps and activity programs; and coach sport.

School chaplaincy services are also closely connected with local churches and communities and their support services and programs.

For more information, contact 07 3632 2222 or check out www.suqld.org.au

Camping

In 2008, SU Qld volunteers organised 60 holiday camps involving 3,300 campers to provide children and young people with a fun-filled, positive time away from home.

SU Qld holiday camps are run during each holiday break for both primary and secondary school students.Activities include visits to theme parks, beach games, bushwalking, surfing, watersports, horseriding and more.

SU Qld also holds a number of cluster camps each year for students from specific Brisbane regions, while SU Qld specialist camps enable young people to pursue interests such as the arts, drama, and information technology.

For more information, contact 07 3632 2222 or check out www.suqld.org.au

Connect – Supporting at-risk Youth

Young people connecting

Years 8 and 9 are often difficult years for students.

SU Qld’s Connect program is a long-term, adventure-based, learning program designed to help young people at risk of being excluded from their school; in conflict or crisis with their families; or depressed or demoralised.

Connect camps help young teenagers develop positive attitudes, an improved self-esteem and essential life skills.

Group participants, their teachers and their families are initially asked about their expectations and goals to ensure Connect’s maximum effectiveness.

These goals are then achieved during 12 months of camps and challenges.

Once students have completed a Connect camp, the program ensures students continue to receive small group support and individual mentoring from caring people within their school.

In this way, newly-learnt attitudes and actions continue to be fostered and encouraged.

Leading the way

Roy Devine facilitates Connect and has more then 15 years’ experience in working with young people in adventure-based programs.

Youth workers, teachers and adult mentors from the community make up the Connect leadership team.

All these people have a deep commitment to youth, to the environment and to the safety, care and development of people through experiences that stretch body, mind and spirit.

For more information, contact Connect program coordinator Roy Devine on 0415 230 766, by email at connect@suqld.org.au or check out www.su-connect.org.au

Community Outreach

SU Qld facilitates a number of Community Outreach programs each year in bush, beach, or urban settings.

Led by a director and team of volunteers, Community Outreach programs provide fun activities for families holidaying in the local area.

Beach Community Outreach programs are usually held during the Christmas/New Year break, while those in remote regions of the State, such as Normanton and Doomadgee, are run during school holiday periods throughout the year.

SU Qld Community Outreach has a diversity of programs that also include festival missions, and more recently, combined Youth Ministries, run as a joint effort of local churches and in co-operation with the local school chaplain.

For more information, contact 07 3632 2222 or check out www.suqld.org.au