I think you mis-understand free thought, there is no teaching associated with a chaplain. The person is just another support resource for students.

Sniggid, sorry but I spent to long around the christain church to believe that particular theory.

Many of the churches treat chaplains as evangelists. Their role is seen as much more than just providing support for kids, it is marketed within churches as an evangelistic one.

That may not be the case in all churches but it's certainly the case in any church I've been around which is involved in school chaplaincy (that includes a number of demoninations).

R0bert

R0bert, my experience is as a principal and a person who is not a churchgoer. Of course there might be some spin off in terms of some students becoming interested in religion but I have witnessed teachers having some religious impact on students, often indirectly because the "life" they exhibit in their work appeals to some students who admire their values.

The trick is for the principal to set the boundaries of the chaplain's work and to keep a key eye on what is going on as one does with all things that are going on in the school.

In the end as a principal when you recognise the need for students to be supported in an overall sense, you have to look for an integrated support operation that can be afforded and helps students cope with a huge variety of personal situations and circumstances. By doing that there is a greater chance that they will better cope with matters academic, the core business of schooling. You don't have a chaplain as the central plank of the support mechanism, but as one of a group of 5, 6 or 7 to help those who need it among a student population of around 1,000 there is usually a good result.

Don't be too hung up on your religious experience, chaplaincy can managed and can be part of the overall support mix.

Can't a trained councillor do the same job. Religious groups find children to be easy targets for what they have to say. Churches don't go sending chaplains to work places to try and convert adults.

Any well trained good person could also be a help, councillor, psychologist, etc. The ideal support group is made up 5 teachers freed up from some class responsibilities, a full time "youth Education" Officer/Coordinator (also a teacher) a school psychologist, plus others part or full time which could include a chaplain. And, of course the principal and deputy principals are really part of the support group.

The chaplain is not absolutely essential for the system to work well but they are far less expensive than all others and extend the use of available resources.

My experience is that this role has not been used as a "religous preaching" platform. If that had been the case then as principal I would have on to it.

The point I have been making from my first hand experience is that the chaplain is not a pastor but a person who lives a good life and has a strong commitment to his or her religion. I did experience one chaplain who was a part time pastor. But, quite frankly each chaplain became part of the support team, worked with them and not separate from them.

That is why I have no reservations about this initiative.