Home Hill Chamber of Commerce held its second Social and Networking Event last Wednesday, March 21, inviting Scripture Union School Chaplain John Mackay to address the business community.
John has 17 years of experience as a school chaplain and currently works at both East Ayr State School and Clare State School.
He said the biggest role of the school chaplain is to care for the students within the schools.
“More than that, we also care for the staff and the families there too, so we’re trying to make the schools a good place for the kids to come,” he said.
John’s role is varied and involves sitting in on classes, assisting students with their work, and playing educational games with them, but one of the most significant initiatives he’s implemented at both schools is ‘breaky club’, offering students fruit, toast and cereal before school.
“Lots of kids end up not being fed properly before they come to school and if the tummy’s not happy then the kids can get restless, so the kids love it,” he said.
John is one of six chaplains who work across nine schools in the Burdekin, and he said he was pleased to be invited to speak to the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce members to share the work of the chaplaincy.
“It’s good to find out the things that are happening in the community and I’d like the business community people to know about chaplaincy because it’s their kids, their grandkids, who we’re trying to love,” he said.
Home Hill Chamber of Commerce Secretary Robert Antoniazzi said he invited John to shed light on the work of chaplaincy in the community.
“I know how much he’s done at the schools, and I wanted to share that information with everybody, because he does make a difference to schools and troubled school kids,” Robert said.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a chaplain, contact Scripture Union District Manager Brooke Sorbello on 0427 291 540.
Home Hill Chamber of Commerce’s next Social and Networking Event will be held at the Home Hill Community Sports Club on April 17 from 5:30pm, where Tony Goddard of the Ayr Rotary Club has been invited as a guest speaker.
School Chaplain John Mackay and Home Hill Chamber of Commerce Vice President Uli Liessmann
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