Western Region: Champions for Christ

Barry McGrath, chaplain at Tara Anglican School for Girls, loves his job even when students ‘quite bluntly’ challenge him.

SC: What is the role of the chaplains at Tara?

BM: Basically, we direct the spiritual life of the school. We preach, teach and minister to the families, girls and staff. Denise Nicholls is the Chaplain in residence in the Boarding House. She runs Bible studies and is also in charge of Christian Studies and Crusaders.

As the Deputy Principal Pastoral Care I coordinate the pastoral care programs and staff K-12. Between us, we prepare three new sermons each week.

SC: What about opportunities to present Christ?

BM: We constantly call students to respond to Christ. We have a marvelous opportunity to reach girls and their families from different cultural and religious backgrounds who may never enter the door of a church. They receive excellent education but they also hear about the grace and forgiveness of God, and the claims of Christ as Lord of all.”

SC: What excites you about working at Tara?

BM: The energy of working with hundreds of students who challenge us, often quite bluntly, with their questions about the gospel, as well as the enthusiasm of the Principal, staff and council for our work.

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