Chaplaincy Services
Chaplaincy Services
Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament (an outward physical sign of an inner spiritual reality) and signifies admission to the Body of Christ, the Church.
A Service of Baptism and Admission to Communion is held each year on Palm Sunday. All students are welcome to be baptised, whatever their age. A programme of preparation is held for the students prior to this in which they learn about Baptism and Communion.
Parents/caregivers of students wanting to be baptised can register their interest with the Chaplain’s PA, Mrs Jenny McClory.
Dates for upcoming Student Baptism's can be found in the School Calendar.
Admission to Communion
For students baptised as infants but not yet receiving Communion, there is the opportunity to be formally admitted to Communion at the Student Baptism service. A programme of preparation on the meaning of Baptism and Communion takes place prior to this service. All students who have been baptised are welcome to take part in this, whatever their age.
Parents/caregivers of students wanting to be admitted to Communion can register their interest with the Chaplain’s PA, Mrs Jenny McClory.
Dates for upcoming Admission to Communion Servcies can be found in the School Calendar.
Confirmation
Confirmation is offered to students from Year 11 onwards as an adult profession of faith. It is no longer a prerequisite for receiving Communion (Baptism is the only prerequisite). A Confirmation service is held in Term 4 of each year after a period of preparation and an overnight retreat lead by the Chaplains. During the Confirmation Service students profess their faith and receive the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop.
Students wishing to be confirmed can register their interest with the Chaplain’s PA, Mrs Jenny McClory.
It is our practice at Diocesan School to intinct (dip) the wafer in the wine.
Those who do not wish to receive Communion may still come to the altar rail to receive a blessing from the priest. Those wishing to do so will indicate this by simply keeping their hands at their sides.
Old Girls' Weddings
The Chaplains are available to officiate at the weddings of Old Girls. Weddings may be held during the school term but not at Easter.
Those wishing to be married in the School Chapel should contact Mrs Jenny McClory to make their booking.
Baptism of Old Girls' Children
Each term a service of Baptism is held for the children of Old Girls. A preparation evening is held for parents and Godparents in the week leading up to the service.
Those wishing to have their child baptised in the School Chapel should contact Mrs Jenny McClory to make their booking.
Sunday Services
Sunday Services are held on occasion. All Junior School students attend their House Service each year and Middle and Senior School students attend a Year Level Service as well as their House Service. Families are encouraged to attend these services with their girls. Sunday Services are generally Eucharist (Communion) Services. All those who are baptised are welcome to receive Communion regardless of their Christian denomination.
Dates for upcoming Sunday Services can be found in the School Calendar.
Chapel Festival
The Chapel of Our Glorified Lord was named by Founder Headmistress, Miss Mary Pulling and Archbishop Averill, and consecrated by the Bishop on November 3 1922. Chapel Festival is observed each year on the Feast of the Transfiguration with a special Holy Communion held for Old Girls and Year 13 students.
According to the School Chronicle we first observed the Feast of the Transfiguration in 1929 some two years after the completion of the ‘big chapel’. In 1930 the School Chronicle expressed the 'wish to make it one of the chief events of the School year' because in an Anglican school worship was to be the heart of our corporate life.
It is thought that the invitation to Old Girls to attend ‘Chapel Day’ as it was called, dates back to the late 1920s in order to provide them with a special celebration of their own and with a chance to maintain their connection with the school.