Frequently Asked Questions

A chaplain is a person who goes into a school (Primary, Intermediate or Secondary) for approximately four hours a week, as part of a wellbeing support network for students. A Lifewalk chaplain offers a non-judgemental listening ear for students, staff and parents within the school community.

What is Hauora? It is wellbeing - not only the physical body, but also its growth, development, and ability to move, and our ways of caring for it. That means mental and emotional wellbeing as well, including coherent thinking processes, acknowledging and expressing thoughts and feelings, and responding constructively. Hauora covers the physical, mental, familial and spiritual dimensions of a person (as included in the New Zealand Curriculum in 1999).

The New Zealand Curriculum identifies five key competencies:
1) Thinking
2) Relating to others
3) Using language, symbols, and texts
4) Managing self
5) Participating and contributing

The work of a chaplain enhances these values taught through the Key Competencies in the New Zealand Curriculum.

Our chaplains work successfully alongside trained professionals within the school, and can often share some of the load - particularly when there are children who need a lot of extra time. Chaplains can also help by assisting with less severe situations.

A chaplain cannot pray with a child unless the school (Principal or Deputy Principal) has given approval for this to happen. Chaplains are trained to respect the many beliefs and cultures represented in schools, and to adhere to the Lifewalk Code of Expectations.

A chaplain cannot ask students to come to their church.

Yes.

All Lifewalk chaplains are police vetted every three years.

Yes.

All Lifewalk chaplains have completed the Lifewalk training course and have confirmed referees.

Lifewalk chaplains attend “Supervision” - a monthly support group which provides peer-to-peer mentoring and sharing opportunities.

Lifewalk chaplains are required to attend supervision once a term.