2023 Conference Resources
On this page:
Our thanks to the following speakers for permitting us to share their presentations or speaking notes from the conference:
Keynote speaker: The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith
Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia and Archbishop of Adelaide
Address excerpt: The Christian worldview as it is embraced in Anglican schools will be reflected in the culture
and the activity of the school. And the reason will be clear-we are an Anglican Christian school. Markers like Chapel being taken seriously and not pushed to the edge of the timetable. Senior staff attending and affirming and participating in the worship life of the school. Senior staff speaking of their own faith. Investing in chaplaincy and teaching the Christian faith in a serious kind of way.
Embracing or re embracing the Christian faith of an Anglican school can be incredibly positive gift to the school community and especially the students who are part of the school. The Christian faith, based on the love of God, filled with the optimism and hope of the kingdom of God brings life and purpose.
Keynote speaker: Dr Donna Cross OAM
Emeritus Professor (UWA) and Chief Behavioural Advisor (NSW Government)
Presentation abstract: School leaders have a critical influence on the whole school’s wellbeing: their leadership, decisions, strengths, capabilities, and their wellbeing significantly influence the education, health and social wellbeing outcomes of students, and the professional and wellbeing outcomes of school staff. To effectively address student wellbeing, the wellbeing of leaders and other school staff must also be addressed.
This presentation reviews the current context of school leader and staff wellbeing in Australian schools. It also provides evidence and recommendations to help school boards and leaders implement policies, practices and procedures that can support and improve school leaders’ and staff wellbeing and mental health.
Eucharist Sermon: Bishop Stephen Pickard
Sermon excerpt: The wisdom of the carpenter’s son and Mary’s child continues in the Spirit of the resurrected Christ. It is an ever-emergent wisdom. If only we had eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to desire we could find it hidden within the great disciplines that together make education and the formation of young lives so meaningful and endlessly fascinating.
Chaplains’ Day speakers
Towards a Theology of School Chaplaincy, in conversation with:
The Reverend Canon Professor Scott Cowdell
Australian Centre For Christianity and Research, Charles Sturt University
The Reverend Associate Professor Dr Andrew Cameron
Lecturer in Theological Ethics and Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University
The Reverend Dr Jane Foulcher
Senior Lecturer at St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University
Reflections in poetry: Sarah Agnew
Poetic responses to keynote speakers serving as guided reflections.
Poem excerpt:
purpose, truthtelling, speaking
in language, in sign, with heart,
in song – let all earth revere Holy One;
Rejoice in Holy One always
guarded by Peace and what is true,
guided by lovee
Sketch Notes: Reverend Paul Joy
Chaplain
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