They might be too young to vote the conventional way at the ballot box, but the students of Aspley State High School voted with their feet last month to show their appreciation of, and support for, their school chaplain.
More than 700 students ran in the optional Run for Chappy, which was held after the school’s cross country. About 30 staff lined up to run, too.
Chappy Lauren Anderson said she was moved to see such a huge swell of support from her school.
“It was an incredibly humbling experience,” she said.
Run for Chappy was an initiative of Senior Deputy Principal, David Miller, to create school spirit and raise support for chaplaincy within the established Cross Country event.
“I thought it would be a good way to raise funds and to garner community support for chaplaincy at our school,” Mr Miller said.
“I saw it as a visible way for the students to demonstrate their support and gratitude for the work that Lauren does at Aspley.”
She said Run for Chappy created a space for students to go into their local communities, talk to neighbours, friends and family members to get sponsorship for them to Run for Chappy. Local businesses and the P&C got behind the initiative and provided prizes for student that raised the most amount of money.
“The event was a great way for students to share with their community why having a chaplain was really important to them,” chappy Lauren said.
“Mr Miller and I thought if we got 50 taking part, we’d call it a success. The cross country finished and the call was made for students participating in the Run for Chappy to come up, I walked over with our support dog, Alfie, who was running with me, and 700 students followed and about 30 teachers and teacher aides joined in.
“We raised just over $1300 but, to be honest, being a part of the school community spirit was payment enough. I’m so blessed to be part of this school community.
“Walking to the start line, I was in awe of the students’ willingness to run, walk, skip, and jog to support me in their school.
“Sometimes it can be very overwhelming working in a school – you are available to everyone and support everyone, and a lot of the work we do is behind the scenes. It was incredibly humbling to see the support and encouragement from my Aspley High community.”
Mr Miller agreed.
“It was a thrill to see the level of engagement in our first Run for Chappy but it was not a surprise because I know that the students at Aspley care about others and they also value those who care about them – Lauren is certainly someone who cares about the students of our school community and the kids know it,” Mr Miller said.
“Chaplaincy, and in particular Lauren, is an integral element of our school wellbeing team and programme.
“Lauren is someone the students trust and someone they know they can rely on to help and advise them or their friends when things are not going so well. Part of Lauren’s ‘magic’ is her engaging personality and her positive approach to the world, this is matched with a genuine sensitivity for others and a desire to make the world and in particular Aspley High a better place for all.”
Chappy Lauren said they were excited to keep moving forward with Run for Chappy.
“We are working out the kinks and I cannot wait to see what 2019 Run for Chappy looks like,” she said.