Chaplaincy

St Andrew’s Cathedral School seeks to be an authentically Christian school.

Because of this identity, we warmly welcome students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. The Chaplaincy team serves across every division of the School, helping students engage with life’s big questions: truth, meaning, identity, suffering, hope, justice, relationships, and purpose. We seek to create spaces that are thoughtful, generous, respectful, and hope-filled.

Through Chapel services, Christian Development classes, CRU groups, camps, service learning, and pastoral care, students are invited to explore the Christian faith and consider the relevance of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

Our hope is that students would grow as thoughtful, compassionate, and courageous young people who engage deeply with the world around them.

Through Chapel services, Christian Development classes, CRU groups, camps, service learning, and pastoral care, students are invited to explore the Christian faith and consider the relevance of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

Our hope is that students would grow as thoughtful, compassionate, and courageous young people who engage deeply with the world around them.

Chaplaincy Team

The Chaplaincy team supports the spiritual and pastoral life of the School community. Working alongside staff, students, and families, the team seeks to embody the School motto:

Via Crucis, Via Lucis — The Way of the Cross is the Way of Light.

Chaplaincy at St Andrew’s is relational, thoughtful, and grounded in the Christian story. We encourage students to ask questions, reflect deeply, care for others, and engage respectfully with people who think differently from themselves.

Meet the chaplaincy team

Rev Michael Bennett, Senior Chaplain

Michael Bennett is the Senior Chaplain at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

Michael has a real sense of purpose in assisting young people to consider the big questions of life for themselves. Central to this journey is a consideration of the life-changing claims of Jesus, particularly their continuing relevance today. Michael loves unpacking this message with students, giving them the space and safety to reach their own conclusions about faith and belief. 

His approach to Chaplaincy has been deeply influenced by the example of the School Chaplain he had when he was at school. 

Chapel

Chapel is an integral part of life at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Each week, students gather in year groups to pause, reflect, sing, pray and engage with the Christian story together.

Chapel services are held in the Cathedral’s historic Chapter House and Cathedral spaces and are designed to be generous, invitational and age-appropriate.

Across the year, Chapel series explore:

• Stories from the life and teaching of Jesus
• Major biblical characters and events
• Parables and teachings of Jesus
• Questions of identity, truth, suffering, relationships and hope
• Stories of courage, service, leadership and faith
• ANZAC, Easter, Christmas, NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week

Chapel services typically include:

• Music led by student Chapel bands
• Student participation and leadership
• Bible readings and storytelling
• A short talk from a chaplain, teacher, student or guest speaker
• Prayer and reflection

In the younger years, Chapel often uses storytelling, interviews, drama, puppetry, visuals and creative engagement. In the senior years, students explore broader questions around philosophy, ethics, culture, science, justice and faith.

Christian Development

Christian Development (CD) is part of the academic curriculum for Year 7-12.

Through the study of Christianity, philosophy, ethics, history and worldview, students are encouraged to think critically and engage thoughtfully with life’s deeper questions.

Topics explored across the years include:

• The Bible and the Christian story
• The life and teaching of Jesus
• Human identity and purpose
• Suffering and hope
• Truth and knowledge
• Church history and justice
• Relationships and wellbeing
• Comparative worldviews and religions

Christian Development seeks to cultivate thoughtful, reflective, and compassionate young people who can engage meaningfully with the world around them.

Voluntary Christian Group – CRU

CRU is the School’s voluntary Christian fellowship program.

CRU groups meet weekly across different year levels and provide students with opportunities to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, read the Bible, pray and encourage one another in a welcoming environment.

Programs are tailored to each age group and often explore:

• The life and teaching of Jesus
• Prayer and the Bible
• Christian identity and discipleship
• Leadership and service
• Faith and everyday life

CRU is open to all students, whether they are exploring Christianity for the first time or seeking to grow more deeply in faith.

CRU Leadership

Students in Years 11 and 12 are given opportunities to serve and lead within the School’s Christian community.

Student leaders assist in running Middle School CRU groups, Chapel services, prayer initiatives, camps, and inter-school Christian events. They meet regularly with Chaplaincy staff for mentoring, leadership development, and prayer.

The Zedge Camp

Zedge Camp is a voluntary Christian camp for students in Years 7–12.

Led by Christian staff from across the School, the camp provides students with opportunities to explore the Christian faith through Bible talks, discussion groups, music, prayer, outdoor activities, sport, and community life.

For many students, Zedge Camp becomes a significant part of their spiritual journey and experience of Christian community during their time at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

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