Students, Shape Your Future - Art And Literary Competition

Victoria's Primary and Secondary students, here's your chance to tell your friends, your parents, your politicians – THE WORLD – the part you will play in shaping our future.

ACCESS ministries, the state's largest provider of school chaplains, has launched its inaugural Shaping the Future art and literary competition.

“It's time our students took centre stage and demonstrated through the written word and art, how they will shape their future,” CEO of ACCESS ministries, Dr Evonne Paddison said.

'With over 250 ACCESS chaplains working in Victorian schools, we're always encouraging our students' dreams and hopes. The Shaping The Future competition gives them the opportunity to express their ideas with their peers and their mentors, and create change now.”

Prizes will be awarded in five categories: Primary, Special Development Primary, Special Development Secondary, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary. Winners will be announced at the ACCESS Chaplaincy Dinner 2010 on 9th August by Guest Speaker, Ms Therese Rein, Managing Director of Ingeus.

The judging panel will be led by Elida Brereton, former Principal of Camberwell High School, and ACCESS ministries Board Member. Two Victorian students will also be given the opportunity to join the judging panel.

All entries will be considered for inclusion in 'Shaping The Future', a book to be released by ACCESS ministries Publishing later this year. Competition details are available from your school, chaplain, or online at www.accessministries.org.au Entry is free, and closes on 30 July 2010.

ACCESS ministries is one of the largest providers of school chaplains under a program funded and administered by the Commonwealth Government. School chaplains form a vital part of a school's welfare team, providing support, guidance, referrals, and a listening ear, to a student, their family and the wider community.

“Chaplains are an integral part of a student's spiritual and formative journey, and sometimes their only opportunity to learn core values and ethics,” said Dr Paddison.

Media Contact: Allison Brown, ACCESS ministries, 0400 984 288