School Chaplain

ABOUT ST LUKE’S ANGLICAN SCHOOL Thank you for your interest in St Luke’s Anglican School. Located in Bundaberg, St Luke’s is one of Queensland’s highest performing regional schools. Founded in 1994, St Luke’s is a co‑educational day school, educating over 1,100 students from our Early Learning Centre to Year 12. As a dynamic and inclusive learning community, St Luke’s inspires excellence, service, innovation and global thinking. The School has a strong reputation for academic excellence, fostering spirituality and the development of each student's full potential. St Luke’s graduates are known for their strength of heart, mind and character. ROLE DESCRIPTION SCHOOL CHAPLAIN POSITION SUMMARY The School Chaplain provides spiritual and pastoral leadership across St Luke’s Anglican School, grounded in Christian faith within the Anglican tradition. Licensed by the Archbishop of Brisbane, the Chaplain facilitates inclusive opportunities for worship, reflection, and connection, nurturing the faith journey of students, staff, and families. Through word, sacrament, service, and relationship, the Chaplain helps bring the mission of the Church and the school community to life. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Chaplain partners with staff and school leaders to strategically support wellbeing, foster belonging, and encourage spiritual enrichment in daily school life. The Chaplain models authenticity, integrity, and courage, and addresses challenges with imagination and creativity. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Lead, plan, and preside over school worship, prayer, and sacramental services (including Eucharist) that are engaging, inclusive, and grounded in the Anglican tradition. Develop and coordinate a program of Anglican liturgy and spiritual formation for students and staff across all year levels. Deliver Ethics and Faith education classes as part of the teaching timetable and provide theological oversight of this curriculum content to ensure alignment with the Anglican ethos. Prepare candidates for Baptism, Admission to Holy Communion, and Confirmation in collaboration with local parishes. Mentor student Chapel leaders, Liturgical Assistants, and staff involved in worship, encouraging participation and leadership. Maintain sacred spaces (e.g., the School Chapel) as places of prayer, reflection, and community connection. Pastoral Care and Community Wellbeing Provide compassionate and confidential pastoral care to students, staff, and families, supporting spiritual, emotional, and relational well‑being. Be an active member of the School’s Chaplaincy Pastoral leadership teams to deliver a proactive, coordinated approach to pastoral care and student support. Be a visible and approachable presence across the school, building relationships and trust within the community. Offer pastoral presence and prayer support at school events, excursions, and camps, including participation in the Outdoor Education program where appropriate. Support the School Counsellors and Deputy Principals by referring students and collaborating on wellbeing plans when required. Anglican Identity, Faith Formation, and Mission Champion and model the School’s Anglican ethos, vision, and values, making faith visible and relevant in daily school life. Lead and promote opportunities for faith formation, prayer, and Christian reflection for students, staff, and parents. Provide professional learning and formation opportunities for staff to deepen their understanding of Anglican identity and Christian values. Encourage integration of Christian principles across the curriculum, co‑curricular activities, and school events. Strengthen connections with local parishes, the Diocese, and the broader Anglican Schools Commission, contributing to shared initiatives and building parish‑school partnerships. Service and Social Justice Develop and implement service‑learning and social justice programs that encourage students and staff to respond to community needs. Facilitate meaningful opportunities for service, advocacy, and stewardship into worship, Ethics and Faith classes, and pastoral programs. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Essential Current registration with the Queensland College of Teachers. Ordained Anglican Priest licensed (or eligible to be licensed) by the Archbishop of Brisbane. Demonstrated experience in pastoral care, Christian ministry, and Anglican liturgical practice. Demonstrated ability to engage young people and make Christian faith relevant in an educational context. Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and current National Police Check. Recognised tertiary qualifications in Theology. Desirable Bachelor of Education (equivalent). Qualifications or experience in counselling, chaplaincy, or student wellbeing. A Master’s Degree and/or further postgraduate study in a related field. Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma, and Anaphylaxis certificates. CHARACTERISTICS, QUALITIES AND SKILLS Authentic Christian faith, lived out with integrity, humility, and courage, aligned with the mission and vision of St Luke’s Anglican School. Passion for working with children and young people, fostering their spiritual growth, wellbeing, and values‑based engagement from Early Years to Year 12. Proven ability to build strong, trusting relationships across diverse school and community groups. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently and respectfully with staff, students, families, and external stakeholders. Skilled in leading Anglican worship, liturgy, and sacramental services in an engaging and reverent manner. Creativity and imagination in designing worship, retreats, and faith formation experiences that inspire authentic engagement. Capacity to collaborate effectively with colleagues across leadership, wellbeing, and cross‑functional teams. Experience mentoring or guiding staff in faith, pastoral, or professional development contexts. Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise, and manage multiple initiatives concurrently. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other digital tools used for communication, planning and resource development. Commitment to professional growth, reflective practice, and continuous improvement. High emotional intelligence, resilience, and a servant‑hearted approach to leadership. Clear understanding of child safety principles, with a demonstrated commitment to safeguarding children and young people. KEY CHALLENGES Leading and sustaining the spiritual life of a diverse school community, ensuring that worship, prayer, and Christian formation are inclusive, relevant, and engaging. Balancing time between multiple responsibilities, including worship leadership, pastoral care, teaching Ethics and Faith, staff formation, and participation in school events. Providing effective pastoral care while maintaining professional boundaries and emotional resilience, especially when dealing with sensitive or crisis situations. Integrating Anglican identity meaningfully into the curriculum, co‑curricular programmes, and wider school culture, ensuring alignment with the School’s strategic priorities. Encouraging staff engagement in spiritual and liturgical life while respecting individual faith traditions and perspectives. Coordinating service‑learning and social justice programmes that are logistically feasible, educationally meaningful, and well‑supported by staff and students. Remaining visible, approachable, and available across the campus while also finding time for planning, reflection, and professional renewal. Keeping up to date with contemporary theology, youth ministry practices, and issues facing young people, to ensure messages and programs remain relevant and impactful. PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES The role requires regular movement across the campus, including to classrooms, the chapel, outdoor venues, and event spaces, sometimes multiple times per day. Capacity to stand for extended periods during chapel services, assemblies, and events. Ability to lift and carry liturgical or worship resources (e.g., altar items, sound equipment, seating arrangements) as required. Energy and stamina to participate in camps, retreats, and outdoor education programmes, which may involve overnight stays and physical activity. Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate early morning services, evening school events, parish connections, and occasional weekend commitments. Emotional and mental resilience to respond to urgent pastoral needs, crisis situations, or sensitive disclosures in a calm, supportive, and professional manner. CULTURE & BENEFITS Modern facilities, competitive remuneration, and access to the school gym. Professional development opportunities, inclusive of free before and after school sessions, and discounted school fees. Supportive and collaborative staff wellbeing initiatives, park‑like grounds and a conducive work environment. CHILD PROTECTION COMMITMENT The School is committed to the safety, welfare, and well‑being of all children and young people. The School Chaplain is expected to model and promote child‑safe practices, comply with all relevant legislation and policies, and respond to any concerns, disclosures, allegations, or suspicions of harm in accordance with the School’s Child Protection Policy. GENERAL TERMS OF APPOINTMENT Be supportive of the Anglican Ethos of the School. Support the Strategic Plan and the School Improvement Plan. Demonstrate loyalty, confidentiality and support for the Principal and the School at all times. Maintain professional presentation and communication. Take full responsibility for compliance with the Staff Conduct – Guidelines and Expectations Policy. Take full responsibility for compliance with the Our Commitment – Creating Environments for Children and Young People to Thrive (ASC Code of Conduct). Take full responsibility for compliance with all school policies and procedures. Uphold the School values of Faith, Performance, Honour. All employees recognise and accept that they may be required from time to time to undertake duties that are outside their normal role description but within their skills, competency, and capability. HOW TO APPLY Applicants should submit an application that includes: A copy of your resume, including education qualifications relevant to the duties and selection criteria, as well as a summary of relevant work and education history (maximum 4 pages). It is encouraged to also upload a short video (maximum 2 minutes) introducing yourself and outlining why you would like to work with us at St Luke’s Anglican School. Applications should be submitted via email at: **********@stlukes.qld.edu.au #J-18808-Ljbffr