18. Mr Simon Godden asked -

In yesterday's address to the Synod, in relation to the parlous spiritual condition of our young people, you referred to the "spiritual failure of our society and the failure of the churches to communicate the Word which will transform lives and bring healing on its wings".

Given this failure, what strategies are in place and what strategies are planned for the future to ensure that there is a significant increase in the number of Christian teachers so that new and existing Christian schools can continue to employ Christian teachers and to ensure that our public schools do not become Christian wastelands, largely devoid of a Christian presence on their staffs?

To which the President replied -

Strictly, under business rule 6.3, this question is out of order since it contains an assertion and offers an argument.

Nevertheless I am happy to make the following comments.

Two years ago the Chief Executive Officers of Anglican Youthworks and the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation set up a Taskforce to investigate the raising up and education of more Christian teachers.

As a result of the Taskforce's deliberations a range of targeted activities have recently been commenced within the Diocese, under the auspices of the Anglican Education Commission, now part of Youthworks, but with initial funding from the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation. These initial activities are intended to encourage the recruitment of Christian men and women into the teaching profession, but not solely for the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation.

Mr Ian Keast, formerly the Head of English at Barker College, is the first Project Officer appointed to develop and implement collaborative strategies related to the promotion of teaching in schools as a key Christian vocation.

These strategies include developing links with a wide range of Christian organisations and forums such as schools, tertiary Christian groups, theological colleges and church groups, and speaking at meetings, where the value of Christian teachers and teaching can be promoted.

Further information about Mr Keast's work is contained in a supplementary document which will be posted with this answer.

Supplementary

Mr Keast is also working in partnership with the Rev Craig Blackett and UWS Penrith and Bankstown Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students to consider how the teaching needs of Anglican schools as well as government schools can be presented to students in the Greater Western Area of Sydney.

In 2005, Mr Keast will begin working with a number of key parish youth groups using study material on the subject of thinking biblically about vocation, the place of Anglican schools in our society and the strategic role of Christians in schools.

Further future strategies involve -

* the encouragement and affirmation of Christians already in the teaching profession;

* the development of greater contact with people contemplating a "career change" to teaching; and

* establishing a Christian connection with the various careers networks and careers markets to which school students are exposed.

It is hoped that other Church schools will also provide funding in the near future so that this exciting initiative can be expanded considerably.