Chappy Neo - Texas State School

Wrestle first. Guitar later...and a couple burpees in between!

At Texas State School, our MMA program (top left) with Ps Damo & team has kicked off strongly with our Year 4–5 cohort. Each session we’re seeing more students turn up full of energy and enthusiasm, ready to wrestle their peers and learn practical skills in a safe, structured, and fun environment. It’s been great to see their confidence grow week by week.

Our after-school music program, held at YourChurch Texas, has also had a fantastic first month. Several primary students have started learning guitar and drums, while some of our high school youth have been learning piano and drums as well. One of the best parts of this program is seeing members of our local church community volunteer their time to teach students from their town. It’s a great example of the wider community investing in young people while naturally building relationships across generations.

One of the fun highlights from the Burpee Challenge Fundraiser (top right – burpees with Mr Dowdey, PE teacher) happened one afternoon outside Texas FoodWorks. The owners kindly donated on behalf of Mitre 10 and FoodWorks Texas, and I was doing burpees. Before long it felt like half the school had come through the shop that afternoon…teachers, students and community members were stopping by, joining in, or cheering from the sidelines. It was a great snapshot of Texas, QLD community spirit at its best!!!

In the past month, Principal Cole also asked staff and the P&C whether the school would support introducing Bundy (bottom right – my Kelpie puppy) as part of student engagement and helping reinforce a positive and healthy school culture. The response was overwhelmingly supportive. Bundy is now slowly being introduced to small groups of students in controlled settings, and some of my therapy dog handler training is already being put into practice as Bundy prepares for his therapy dog assessment later this year.

Yes, I’m Losing at Handball. Yes, It’s Making a Difference!

I’m STOKED with the way this term has begun, stepping into chaplaincy across four unique school communities where consistent, relational support (strengthened by trusted local partnerships) is already making a meaningful difference for students, staff and families navigating complex challenges!! In Texas, my role has included being involved in and helping facilitate the school’s MMA youth program with Damien Hobson, which has provided an engaging platform to connect with students navigating identity, discipline, and belonging! Learning to feel and wrestle tensions in productive and helpful ways.

I have intentionally invested time building relational connections with high school students as they navigate identity tensions and peer dynamics, while also supporting Year 5–7 students who are in the significant transition season of early adolescence and preparing for high school….mainly me getting smoked at handball!

Much of the relational work in this school occurs informally through sport such as our whole school cross country run before school in the mornings!

Beyond school hours, connection on Wednesdays with students continues through YourChurch Texas’ newly established music program (mainly primary) and later on the arvo youth group (Year 5+). This continuity between school and community has strengthened relational trust and provides healthy pathways for belonging!