Chappy's Chat
Thank you
After 13 years as Chappy, it’s time to say thank you and goodbye.
My time at Yeronga has been a very rewarding time of my life and I’ve had a much larger reach than I could ever have dreamed. While being at Yeronga SS (2011-2023), I have also been the Chappy twice at Yeronga SHS (2014-2017, 2019) and the Padre to the Stephens RSL sub-branch since 2017. I also had the privilege of having the role of Community Relations Officer (2019-2021) to support the event planning and the school’s engagement with alumni and the broader community for the 150th Anniversary Celebrations.
Through Chaplaincy, I’ve have had the opportunity to make a difference and contribute to the wellbeing of many students, families, and staff through so many ways, including:
- Journeying with the community through the flood events of 2011 and 2022, the wild storm that wreaked so much havoc at both schools in November 2014, and helping to navigate the school’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic
- Delivering welfare packs, food hampers, Christmas goodies, quarantine care packs, attending funerals and making visits to homes, hospitals, and providing support during court appearances
- Teaching social skills and friendship skills, leading small groups activities and many assembly presentations, including the much-loved Harmony Day
- Running student programs including Thursday Club, Kindness Club, RAOK initiatives, and handball, paper-planes, and hula-hoop competitions
- Setting up a breakfast club, lunch program, organising uniform and school supplies, and helping families prepare for their first day back at school
- Advocating for faith issues, prayer needs of Muslim students, seeking housing and support for Asylum Seekers, writing many references for families for high-school applications and employment, and leading a funeral service
- Engaging with parents through a 1st Day Welcome Morning Tea, Parent Café, yearly Volunteer Certificates, Qld Father of the Year Nomimation (local winner), and International Women’s Day Breakfast
- Leading a Peer Mentoring Program with year 6 students, supervising placement students, and mentoring other Chaplains in the inner Brisbane South corridor
- Encouraging staff through gifts, acknowledgement of birthdays, special celebrations, staffroom decorations, and lots of coffee and chocolate
- Connecting with local community leaders, stakeholders, support organisations, and faith groups to support the needs of the school
- Organising some awesome fundraising events, including Camp at School with Dad, Chappy Week Treasure Hunt, Movie Night, Subway lunch, Chappy Pancakes, and two 96Five School Excursions
However, despite all the flurry of activity across any given week, my favourite thing to do was to sit and talk, providing pastoral care to hundreds of people over the years through listening, encouraging and finding ways to help them to navigate their issues.
Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and engagement with me personally and with the Chaplaincy program. I have loved being the Chaplain to this wonderful community of people, and have enjoyed great partnerships, relationships, and friendships amongst staff, parents, and across the wider community. You can stay in touch with me through the Community_Chaplain page on social media, or see me at the RSL community services at Yeronga Memorial Park.
Blessings, Chappy Jenny
Email – jennifer.bennett@suchaplaincy.org.au
Facebook & Instagram – Community_Chaplain