Community Chaplain
History behind - 'Community' Chaplain
Over the years the demands on the School chaplains' time has increased significantly. Many of the requests have come from Old Boys, as evidenced by the high number of weddings and baptisms in the School Chapel. The School therefore took the initiative in 2004 to appoint a Chaplain to work with the wider Shore Community. The Rev Dr Nick Foord (80) was appointed at the end of 2004 as the first Chaplain to the Shore Community. He has taken on many tasks including - conducting baptisms for families and preparing Old Boys and their partners for marriage, as well as providing ongoing pastoral support, encouragement and advice to Old Boys through their different stages of life. The OBU is very pleased that these services can now be accessed directly by all Old Boys.
The Community Chaplain works alongside Old Boys, parents, families and other Shore community organisations such as the Shore Association, Friends of Shore and various prayer groups and camping programmes. The appointment is another demonstration that Shore is more than just a primary and secondary educational institution. It also allows the school Chaplain (Rev Paul Dudley) to focus on his work with the current student body.
Contacting the Community Chaplain
The Shore Community Chaplain can be reached by:
- email nfoord@shore.nsw.edu.au
- or by clicking the Contact box on the OBU website
- telephone (direct) (02) 9900 4753
He is very happy to assist (parents, old boys and their families, and staff ) with a range of issues that might arise. In some cases he will be able to suggest other people or professionals who may be able to help in a range of areas.
Some areas he will be able to assist are :
- Weddings – in the Chapel
- Christianity Explored courses
- Talking through personal issues of concern
- Finding a suitable Church (in your area)
- Somewhere to go for help with Depression related issues
- Finding a Youth group in your area
- Recommended reading on Parenting
- Baptisms – in the school Chapel
- Questions you might have with the Christian emphasis at Shore
Chaplains PA –
For information about the process for Booking Weddings and Baptisms you can speak to the PA to the Chaplains -
- Email : chaplainsPA@shore.nsw.edu.au
- Phone: 9900-4734
About - Nick Foord
Nick Foord is an Old Boy and is quite at home at Shore. He completed his HSC at Shore in 1980, then completed a Science / Engineering double degree at Sydney University. Following this he worked for several years in the telecommunications industry in Sydney and Melbourne. He left his engineering career to enter Bible College, and completed a degree in Theology. Since completing this degree Nick has worked in various roles at four churches around Sydney.
Prior to returning to Shore he was the Senior Minister at Maroubra Anglican Church. He has also completed further studies to obtain a Master of Arts, and a Doctorate with his Thesis focusing on particular aspects of Anglican school chaplaincy. Nick is married to Kia and they have 4 teenage children. His recreations include the outdoors, especially canyoning, golf and the beach. He also loves to talk about life, love, happiness and the realities of the world in which we live. He is involved in a number of co-curricular activities in the school – including camps, the Golf Club and Refereeing Football.