Chaplains

Walk intentionally alongside young people with compassion and presence.

Chaplains at Alta1 are not traditional “religious instructors.”

They are relational wellbeing practitioners with a pastoral care lens, within our multidisciplinary model.

Our chaplains:

support emotional regulation
guide students through difficult moments
help rebuild identity, confidence, and resilience
offer connection, conversation, and hope
provide a stabilising presence for students who have experienced adversity
work closely with teachers, EAs, and therapeutic teams

As described by parents and staff, chaplains often become a student’s first safe adult – someone they can trust without fear of judgement.

Tam(one of our EA’s) reflects on the impact chaplains had on her daughter:

Having a chaplain dedicated to her was another connection point with someone she could trust. It made all the difference.

Chaplain responsibilities at Alta1

Offer emotional support and pastoral care
Help create predictable, safe relational rhythms
Facilitate conversations, journalling, micro-moments of belonging
Support the Stronger Systems Model through relational restoration
Help students return to calm, feel grounded and move forward when emotions run high.
Celebrate growth and whole person identity formation and purpos

Who thrives in this role

Alta1 chaplains are:

empathetic and emotionally intelligent
great listeners
grounded, warm, and steady
comfortable holding space in complexity
skilled at building trust with young people with trauma backgrounds
purpose-driven and team-oriented

Qualities of a great Chaplain

Empathy that is calm, grounded, and unshakeable
Patience for slow progress and gentle re-engagement
Playfulness – willing to laugh, connect, and meet students where they are
Flexibility: each day looks different, and so do the students
Ability to see strengths others might miss
Openness to mental health and trauma-informed learning

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Alta1 is a faith-based organisation, but not a religious school. Chaplains focus on wellbeing, care, and relational support not religious instruction.

A Cert IV in Chaplaincy or similar wellbeing qualification is preferred, and experience working with youth is highly valued.

Chaplains are a core part of the Stronger Systems Model, supporting students through social and emotional recovery, connection, and rebuilding of whole person identity.