In the first of an occasional series on the role Christian chaplains play in the community, LAUREN MUSCAT talks to primary school chaplain Nathan Freind…
Dealing with issues such as socialising students and dissolving lunch-time feuds, right through to the more difficult areas of bullying or family breakups, 26-year-old Nathan Freind is kept on his toes in his relatively new role as a school chaplain.
“I have been doing chaplaincy for four months now. I have been involved in many roles in local schools as a mentor when I was the youth pastor at the Salvation Army, however I am currently in my first official role as a chaplain,” Mr Freind explains. “So far my role has been extremely rewarding with changes in students already evident, and the staff of the school I’m at have been super supportive.”.
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Nathan Freind “Chaplains are a safe place where the school community can go and feel supported. They can sometimes feel easier to go and talk to than classroom teachers or other staff members, and chaplains have an obligation to keep certain things confidential which allows students to share more openly.”– Nathan Freind |
Across Australia and beyond, school chaplains provide students with an outlet – someone to talk to, regardless of circumstances. Offering a listening ear, emotional and spiritual support for a range of issues, from school stresses to family breakdown, chaplains may be able to offer support where a classroom teacher or a fellow student cannot.
A qualified youth worker and Supercats basketball player in his spare time, Mr Freind is new to his position at Geelong’s Rollins Primary School in Victoria.
“I was a youth pastor at the Salvos for two-and-a-half-years which was a part time paid role. I then moved back to Western Australia to be an education assistant for two years before deciding I wanted to move back to Geelong with my wife and become a chaplain”.
Mr Freind ’s heart for the younger generations doesn’t stop when the school bell sounds.
“I am also a youth leader at my local church which is another fantastic opportunity to come alongside young people, hanging out and playing games in a safe environment. These youth events bring the community together as well as helping young adults develop their leadership skills.”
As to why he has moved into chaplaincy work, Mr Freind cites the need for more support within the school community, extending beyond just the students.
“The importance of chaplains in school is to be that support for the students, parents and staff,” he says. “Chaplains are a safe place where the school community can go and feel supported. They can sometimes feel easier to go and talk to than classroom teachers or other staff members, and chaplains have an obligation to keep certain things confidential which allows students to share more openly. Students are enjoying coming to visit the chaplain and feel they are getting positives out of it”.
Though new to the experience, Mr Freind acknowledges the challenges that chaplaincy can present.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was challenging but I wouldn’t have it any other way. In chaplaincy you need to be ready for the good, the bad and the ugly. You need to treat everyday as a new day and a new opportunity to help where you feel the need for it.
“The ages that I now deal with are primary school aged kids ranging from 5 to 12-years-old. I face many challenges in this role with the main one being getting permission forms from parents for their child to actually see me. This can be tough, especially when the school sees a real need for that student to see me. Another challenge I face involves dealing with split families and trying to keep both sides informed as best as I can”.
Mr Freind aims to ensure these challenges stay at work.
“My wife could attest to the fact that as soon as I leave work, that’s where it stays. In a job like this, you can very easily allow it to consume your thoughts. The way I leave it there is to keep myself busy with outside-of-work hobbies, and that keeps me from thinking about the job when I don’t have to. In saying that there are sometimes situations that can be quite challenging and confronting and I may think about these rare situations more than I would like.”
Along with the support school chaplaincy has garnered over the years, it also now has its very vocal detractors. With traditionally Christian backgrounds, chaplains have been accused of trying to preach to and convert students, with a push from some to have chaplains removed from schools altogether. Mr Freind challenges this assumption.
“Chaplains are not out to recruit or push Christianity on to the school, parents or students. Christianity is a chaplain’s belief and faith but its not their role to push that on their school. Chaplains are there to support a school with their needs. I would love the people who throw out these allegations to come and spend a day with me and the role that I do at the school as I would question if they fully understand what a chaplain does.”
With millions of kids reaping the benefits of school chaplaincy, Mr Freind can attest to its positives. “Chaplains are a great asset to any school”.
