Our story …

The first ideas of a chaplaincy at Falmouth School came in 2002 after the Cornwall Religious Education Advisor suggested that groups of churches in Cornwall might think about a possible chaplaincy in one of the County’s bigger secondary schools.

Churches Together in Falmouth approached Falmouth School, which welcomed the idea, and four local church members were nominated as chaplains. In summer 2004, the four were welcomed by the staff and introduced to the school. Today this team has increased to five chaplains.

What we aren’t, and what we are …

The Falmouth School chaplaincy is different from a ‘traditional’ chaplaincy in a church school. It represents the Falmouth churches as a whole (not any one denomination) and the chaplains do not lead daily worship or teach the school’s religious education programme.

The chaplains are just in school to be ‘there’ for students, parents and staff; with the original arrangement that one of the chaplains would be in school at lunchtime four days a week, as a supportive link for Falmouth School by the Falmouth Christian community.

This has been done in a variety of ways over the last three years: supporting teaching staff in lessons where the chaplains have a particular expertise .. taking occasional assemblies .. talking with students in the corridors or eating with them in the school canteen .. joining school residential courses and school trips .. using social opportunities to get to know and support members of the teaching staff  .. introducing interesting visitors to the school .. and being available to anyone in school for confidential discussion on matters of concern, big or small. We are available for staff, parents or pupils.

One chaplain is now in school each day – including two full mornings each week.

By the way …

The chaplains are not paid for what they do. They are not in school to ‘convert’ people to a particular point of view. They are not ‘preachy’ - and if you’ve not yet met one you might be pleasantly surprised how ordinary and approachable they are!

They may usually be recognised by their chaplaincy ‘hoodies’ (and just one member of the team by his ‘dog collar’!). Contact details are on the chaplaincy notice board (on the left side of the main corridor coming into school via the office). There are aso links below which may be used to get in contact.

The present team of five chaplains consists of Captains Chris and Liesl Baldwin (Salvation Army), Fr. Jon Bielawski (Catholic Church), Rev. Mike Caddick (Baptist Church), Miss. Sarah Grey (New Life Assemblies of God Church).