SU Australia is a Christian organisation seeking to bring God’s love, hope and good news to children, young people and their families. We work with local schools, local churches of all denominations, and community groups, towards a common vision: To see each child and young person connected and supported in community, serving others, and experiencing fullness of life.
How does school chaplaincy make a difference in the lives of children, young people and families?
There are many examples of how school chaplaincy makes a difference with your support, both in Tasmanian schools and beyond. An example of many of these stories is that of nine-year old Grace.
Grace’s world was flipped upside down when her Dad’s health plummeted. She was caught in the tension of being anxious about what was happening at home, and not knowing who to talk to about her struggles.
Because of faithful friends like you, Grace was supported by her school chaplain, Tanya. There was hope waiting in the tides.
“At [our local State School] the beach is our backyard. Each term we invite four to six at-risk students between Grades 1 - 6 to learn how to surf. The program is called “Stoked at the Oaks” and it’s pretty unique. It gives us the chance to talk about courage and trust and trying new things, as a lot of the students haven’t surfed before,” says Chaplain Tanya.
“Grace joined ‘Stoked at the Oaks’ last year, and she was thrilled. With all that’s going on in her home life, she was quite worried a lot of the time. She’d look towards the window every time an ambulance went past the school, checking if it would turn towards her house.”
Grace’s mum, Tamara says Chappy’s learn-to-surf program was a ray of hope in a dark time for her family.
“I’m a mum of two (about to be three!) and also my husband’s carer. Watching Grace go to school, with her dad in and out of hospital, has been really hard. She’d find it hard to talk to anyone about what was going on - but then this surfing program came up,” recalls Tamara.
“Grace started to shine. She got her bubbly spirit back, and she knew it was okay to go and have fun. She was a lot less tense - she was happy.”
Your support of Coast to Coast Chaplaincy Challenge is helping make these stories possible.
The Chaplaincy Challenge
We are inviting individuals or groups to get involved in raising funds for chaplaincy through getting being sponsored in a walking, cycling, running, or swimming challenge.Anyone can support the challenge by participating or sponsoring. SU runs chaplaincy services in Tasmania across a distance of 446 kilometres: from Woodbridge on the south coast, to Smithton in the north west, and we are therefore aiming to raise $44,600 to help support this vital work.
DISCLAIMER ABOUT THE CHALLENGE:
We acknowledge and commend the creative nature of physical undertakings in private/own time and in your own way, however, please note that SU Australia does not accept any liability for damages, injuries, direct loss, loss of business, profits or income in relation to an injury, accident or incident arising from the participation in this fundraising event. Participants will be required to agree this waiver upon registration.
