School chaplain
Colleen Pieters is the chaplain at Mansfield State School. You can find her either in the Chaplain room (upstairs in D Block with the year 2's) or out and about around the school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week.
Scripture Union Qld chaplains, or 'chappies', provide social, emotional and spiritual support to school communities. They support students, parents/ guardians and staff in navigating issues ranging from family breakdown, loneliness, depression, anxiety, grief, self-worth and confidence building. They provide a listening ear and a caring presence for those in crisis, and to those who may just need a friend.
What does chaplaincy look like at Mansfield State School?
Pastoral care
Chaplaincy pastoral care includes one-to-one sessions with students, staff and parents/guardians as well as classroom visits to help with various activities and provide support for the teachers and students.
During the one-to-one Chappy sessions, students work with Chappy Colleen on activities around building resilience and self-confidence, working through anxieties, identifying and naming feelings, creating strategies to cope when upset or stressed, developing friendship-building skills and setting achievable goals.
Special events
The Mothers' Day morning tea is a huge celebration held around Mothers’ day. The morning includes delightful food, entertainment, speakers and raffles.
Father’s Day breakfast is also a large event at MSS. A big BBQ breakfast, speakers and a paper aeroplane contest. It is not to be missed!
Finally, at the end of each year the Mansfield School community comes together to celebrate Christmas with a carols by torchlight! A beautiful event to celebrate the end of the year and the joys of Christmas.
You can keep up to date with what is happening in chaplaincy by checking out 'Chappy News' in our school newsletter.