School chaplaincy services provide religious, spiritual, emotional, and personal support to the school community.
Chaplaincy Services contribute to students' educational, emotional, mental and spiritual welfare, provide student mentoring and allow Chaplains to be adult (professional) role models in schools.
Chaplains are present in schools at the invitation of the Principal, in consultation with the local community and with the support of the Parent and Citizens Association.
What does a School Chaplain do?
A school chaplain is a safe person for young people to connect with at school and provide a listening ear, caring presence, supporting friend and a message of hope. They care for students struggling with issues such as difficult relationships with other children or family members, poor self-esteem, family breakdown, managing and understanding emotions, depression, and anxiety. Chaplains run positive, fun activities for students and foster a supportive, accepting, and caring school community.
The partnership between the school and the chaplain, 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, belonging, and purpose.
Get to know the Chaplain
My name is Philip and I am the Chaplain at Murrumba State Secondary College.
I moved up and down Queensland growing up, and have lived in places like Toowoomba, Bundaberg, and Childers and now living in the big wide wonderful Brisbane.
I attend Bridgeman Baptist Community Church and love to support the Youth and Young Adults in the local area.
I love all things sport, and am always willing to jump in and try anything new that comes my way. However, my true love for sport always rest with AFL which I had been playing since before I started school.
I love making people feel welcomed and heard. I always make sure they know the space they walk into is free of judgement, and that my door is always open if they need someone to talk to.
A message from the MSSC Chaplain
My passion is to support, and encourage young people, and to come alongside their families and the community to support them on their journey. My aim is to be a safe person within the school community that people come to when they need a helping hand.
Chaplaincy at MSSC looks like:
- Breakfast club
- Chappy lunches
- Mentoring
- One-on-one emotional and social support
- Lunch programs
- Varying Social Skills programs
- Understanding emotions programs
- 'Central Splashout' camp September 2024
Do not hesitate to reach out if I can support your child or family in any way!
What the Chaplaincy service is providing for students
A friendly ear at lunch breaks.
Support Hub where students can come if they are needing a safe space to sit, or just needing a small brain break away from class. The Support Hub also provides a calm, and active space for them to work out some of the struggles going on through their everyday lives.
The Chaplaincy service will also be facilitating a space for students who want to explore spiritual questions and experience how their own faith can help them in their everyday life.
Chaplaincy will be caring for the students who need that extra level of support through pastoral conversation.
Through the generosity of teachers, the P&C and other community groups, and churches the chaplaincy will have some basic foods to give to hungry students and may be able to support families through purchasing of shoes or a fresh uniform through giving from the local churches.
The chaplains also run amazing holiday camps through SUAustralia and many students from surrounding areas and schools enjoy these camps and benefit from the social support these activities can provide.
All Chaplaincy programs run at school have parental information notes sent home prior to students joining or attending any programs or activities. If desired the parent can have the option to opt out of the program they were referred for.
Will my child be involved?
The chaplaincy programme is entirely voluntary and students choose whether or not they want to be a part of the activities that are offered. Parents will be informed if their child has been nominated for any of the programme that the Chaplain offers here at the college. Parents have the right to refuse permission for their child to be involved in any element of the chaplaincy programme.
How can you contact us?
Philip Moller works on Monday, Tuesdays, and Friday.
You can find Philip in B-Block or call by contacting the College administration on (07) 3490 3266
Every school chaplaincy encourages partnership with local churches and community groups.
Please let the Chaplains know if you see further opportunities for this to happen.