The Anglican Chaplains in schools in the Diocese of Brisbane and other parts of Queensland, do constitute themselves as THE BYAM ROBERTS COMMUNITY (‘the Community’), as follows.

FR. BYAM ROBERTS is their named figurehead. He was a dedicated Queensland priest, bush brother, teacher, missionary and headmaster who, among many successful labours for the Lord, built up Slade School, Warwick, and from total ruin refounded Martyrs Memorial School in Papua New Guinea. His life of undeterred perseverance in prayer, disciplines and long-term commitment, his skilful and memorable teaching, his great wisdom and leadership, and his adventures in the service of his Lord, his church and his students are an inspiration to us.

OBJECTS

By the grace of God, the Community seeks to inspire chaplains to develop their own potential and unique gifts in a spiritual, pastoral and academically challenging

Community, in order to serve and equip the whole people of God through innovative programmes and high-quality tuition, so as to awaken in staff, students and parents recognition of the spiritual, social and political consequences of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Accordingly, the general aims of the Community are:

  • Actively to encourage fellowship amongst chaplains;
  • To be an active, open channel of communication among chaplains;
  • To enable communication between chaplains and the Church, the School and others;
  • To help meet chaplains’ spiritual and pastoral needs;
  • To help meet chaplains’ professional needs, especially those specifically Anglican;
  • To voice concerns of importance raised by chaplains, and to communicate them to the Church or the community at large;

Anyone meeting the following criteria is eligible to be a member of the Community by invitation or application.

(a) A person appointed to a designated and licensed Chaplaincy or Youth Minister position in an Anglican School or Ecumenical School in Anglican partnership.

(b) A person appointed and licensed to carry out two or more chaplaincy functions in an Anglican school, regardless of designated title.

Chaplaincy functions are currently of four kinds:

  • leading worship
  • fostering Christian formation
  • counselling
  • R.E. teaching

Application of membership must be in the form decided by the Community Council

(a) in writing; and

(b) signed by the nominee.

(2) The secretary of the Community must, as soon as practicable after the Community Council decides to accept or reject an application, inform the applicant of the Council’s decision and refund the membership fee.