Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
Chapel without a Chaplain
At Peter Carnley Anglican Community School (PCACS), the absence of a Chaplain has sparked innovation and a renewed focus on student led worship experiences across the entire school from Kindergarten to Year 12.
The School’s identity is rooted into the values of the Anglican tradition, emphasizing a holistic approach to education that integrates Scripture, Tradition, and Reason. A vital component of Christian Education in the Anglican tradition is ensuring a time and place for reflection, mindfulness and engagement in faith, belief and spirituality. Chapel services are not about ‘indoctrination in the faith’, but rather ‘education in matters of faith’. Under the guidance of key staff, we have worked to create a safe place where students can learn about the Christian way of life, ask the big questions of life, and form a belief system on which their life will be based.
Our Year 12 Chapel Captain, Devine Mbano, and her Chapel team meet regularly to decide on the theme of each Senior School service and how they can keep students actively involved. These students then lead the Services, beginning with a ‘Call to Worship’ using contemporary language and ideas in a call and response format, and follow this with readings chosen to reflect the real-life challenges and struggles of young people. Our Religious and Values Education (RAVE) lessons provide foundational knowledge, and our Chapel Services offer students and staff a hands-on experience of their faith within a contemporary context.
At Peter Carnley Anglican Community School, we have been without a Chaplain for some time, so the question of how we invite our community into worship has required creative thinking, and the courage of some passionate staff and students, to step forward and lead this vital aspect of our school life.
- Felicity House, Principal
Chapel Services play a crucial role in fostering reflection and personal growth among students. In the Senior School, Chapel themes span a range of moral and ethical topics, encouraging critical thinking and dialogue on issues such as conflict resolutions and personal ethic.
Similarly, Junior School students actively engage in Chapel activities, where they share stories and messages resonant across diverse faith traditions. This inclusive approach ensures that all students discover meaning and relevance in the messages, fostering unity and shared values. Within these services, students take turns presenting Bible stories through songs, dramatic role play, and reflections, embracing inclusivity for all faiths. Celebration forms a significant part of Junior School worship, with students joyously singing and dancing to a variety of hymns. This collaborative worship experience allows students to join their voices and appreciate the Chapel as a space not only for quiet reflection but also for joyful celebration.
Our students have responded positively to the student led services, with feedback referencing new curiosity about God and the Christian faith, as well as an enthusiasm to participate more actively.
‘Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.’ (Proverbs 22:6).