Just two weeks into his role as school Chaplain, Father Rhys Roberts-Brown has enjoyed a busy and engaging introduction to life at St George’s Anglican Grammar School. From leading NAIDOC Week celebrations and accompanying Year 7 students on their excursion to Perth Zoo, to supporting competitors at the 2026 Interhouse Athletics Carnival, Father Rhys has quickly become a familiar presence across both Perth CBD campuses.
The energetic start is exactly what he had hoped for.
‘The ministry of a chaplain emerges from relationships,’ he says. ‘Getting to know people’s stories help me understand their needs and how I can respond.’
Father Rhys joins St George’s from St George’s Cathedral where, as Assistant Curate, he worked with the School community behind the scenes at our weekly chapel services. He was a welcome guest preacher at School gatherings and shared aspects of the Cathedral’s history and treasures with students during their visits as part of their Beliefs and Values classes.
It was through these positive experiences that he was encouraged to apply for the chaplaincy role.
‘The community seemed friendly and generous,’ he says. ‘I enjoyed the vibrancy of the School chapel services, which provide a consistent space to teach about the School’s roots in a tradition of faith and prayer.’
Before entering ministry, Father Rhys worked as a painter and operated his own business, an experience that continues to influence his perspective. He says the physical nature of the work taught him valuable lessons about the relationship between mind, body and spirit, while also fostering a deep interest in questions of purpose, vocation and human flourishing.
These themes are part of what draws him to working with young people.
Father Rhys believes today’s students are navigating a rapidly changing world shaped by social change, emerging technologies, and uncertainty about the future. As chaplain, he hopes to support students as they thoughtfully engage with these challenges while drawing on the wisdom and traditions of the Anglican faith.
‘Not every question has a simple or algorithmic answer,’ he says. ‘I hope to be a chaplain who helps create space for active reflection and one whom students feel they can turn to for kindness and support.’
Above all, Father Rhys wants students to know that his door is always open.
‘I hope they encounter someone who genuinely cares about them and their spiritual wellbeing, someone willing to listen attentively, offer guidance where appropriate and prayerfully walk alongside them through the opportunities and challenges of school and life.’
