School refuser to school enthusiast

In 2025 school refusal is one of the top issues faced within schools. Here, a school chaplain tells us how they worked with a Grade 6 student over two years to see him go from a school refuser to someone who now enjoys attending school.

The student, let's call him *Luca was refusing to come to school, refused to try anything new, and wouldn't walk into the classroom. His dad would carry him into school. His parents were looking at going to another school as they did not feel they had sufficient support.    

Luca and I meet one on one (with his parents consent). Together we built trust and created a coming to school plan with soft starts. Together with a supportive class teacher we made a plan.

I would meet Luca at the front gate three days a week and walk with him to class. There were many difficult days but we kept moving forward. I encouraged him to join in lunchtime activities end he enjoyed building a bird box with other students as well as playing basketball.

We later found out that the family have moved from interstate, which would have been really hard for Luca but not now he has changed for the better.  Today, Luca walks into school on his own, meets other students, walks into class, engages in schoolwork and even helps at breakfast club.

With the joint efforts of the parents, teacher and wellbeing support, Luca is now able to do life and school well. This demonstrates the power of chaplaincy to change the trajectory of school refusal.

With setting goals, support and determination, we hope this motivates him to continue bringing a positive attitude to beginning high school next year.