Rev Michael Bennett has traded television studios for classrooms and chapels.
After a 20-year career producing Christian television content, St Andrew’s Cathedral School new School Chaplain, Rev Michael Bennett, felt called to a more personal expression of ministry. Michael says he went from broadcasting the gospel through the mainstream media to narrowcasting it through chaplaincy.
For more than a decade, he has served in teaching and chaplaincy, a path he says was shaped in no small part by the influence of the School.
“The School has generously given me opportunities to learn, grow and contribute. It is incredibly special to serve as the School Chaplain, knowing that the School is committed to lifelong learning and Christian development.”
In his new role, Michael works closely with Sam Bailey, Head of Christian Development, to support the curriculum and broader Christian life of the School.
Michael leads chaplaincy across the School, working alongside Assistant Chaplains Julie McIntosh, Matt Nobel and Chrissie Wu. Together, they support students, staff, families and alumni in exploring faith more deeply, whether in the classroom, the chapel or everyday School life.
Tell us about your previous roles before St Andrew’s.
For nearly 20 years, I worked in television and communication, producing Christian programmes for Channels 7, 9 and 10 with Anglican Media Sydney. For a few years, I also interviewed veterans for the Australians at War Film Archive. I then moved to Wesley Mission where I oversaw their television, online and print communication.
When I moved into chaplaincy and education, I worked at several schools including Newington College, St Andrew’s Cathedral School, St Peter’s Cambridge (New Zealand) and Scots All Saints College (Bathurst). I returned to St Andrew’s in 2023 to oversee a major brand project in the Marketing Department.
How did you come to join St Andrew’s Cathedral School?
In 2015, I joined the School as an intern teacher and completed my teaching accreditation. For the next two years, I worked as a casual teacher in the Christian Development Department. I then moved to New Zealand to become School Chaplain at St Peter’s.
When I returned to Australia in 2023, I reconnected with St Andrew’s to work on a major brand project. More than 200 talented staff and students contributed to a series of videos that captured the essence of the School and its breadth of opportunity. It was a great privilege to be involved.
Soon after, an opportunity arose to return to the Christian Development Department as a teacher and Staff Chaplain.
What do you enjoy about working at St Andrew’s Cathedral School?
I love the School’s desire to communicate the love of Jesus Christ to both students and staff. Prayer is central to the life of the School, and I have found the St Andrew’s Cathedral School to be a place where I have felt both known and encouraged.
What are some highlights from your time at the School?
I’ve enjoyed teaching Year 11 Ethics, using game theory and practical scenarios to help students think deeply about how they make decisions. Those classes often lead to honest and thoughtful conversations.
Another highlight has been working with gifted and committed colleagues in Christian Development and Chaplaincy: Sam, Julie, Matt, Chrissie and Lucy. They have taught me a great deal by sharing different approaches to ministry. I am blessed to be able to work with them.
What do you hope to achieve in this new role?
I hope to grow in my own faith and to be encouraged and challenged by colleagues, staff, students and friends. I hope to share life with students and staff and to help them encounter the love of Jesus Christ in meaningful ways.
For Christian students, my prayer is that they go deeper into Scripture and grow in their relationship with Jesus. For those who are curious, my prayer is that chaplaincy provides a safe and thoughtful space to ask questions and explore faith. For those who feel unsure or resistant, my prayer is that they might be open to considering the gospel and what life with Jesus could look like.
At its heart, I hope chaplaincy helps people feel known, loved, challenged and invited into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
What does life look like outside of School?
My wife and I live on the Northern Beaches with our three children – two at university and one in Secondary School. Living near the water is a great gift. At the end of a workday, especially in summer, I often catch the ferry, walk the 7km home, and finish with a swim.
We attend Frenchs Forest Anglican Church, and I am incredibly grateful for our church community and minister, Rev Dave Lanham.
I also have a strong interest in military history. I completed a Master’s in War Studies and have produced several military television documentaries, including a documentary on evangelistic work at Gallipoli (1915), another on the conversion of the Japanese pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbour (1941), and a small series on Great Battle of the Bible.
I remain fascinated by how God works in people’s lives, even amid conflict and uncertainty.
