Aspley Special School Archives

Aspley Special School Finds a Friend in the Force

For Sergeant Jodie Murray, her 29-year career in the Queensland Police Service culminated in a truly rewarding role: the Adopt a Cop (AAC) for Aspley Special School.

As a dedicated volunteer, Sergeant Murray has fostered positive relationships between the police and the school community, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of students and staff.

The AAC programme pairs police officers with schools and other community organisations to promote understanding and trust. Sargent Murray’s commitment to her role is evident in her dedication to teaching students that police are there to protect and assist them. Her furry companion, Charlie, has become integral to the school community, endearing himself to students and staff alike.

Sargent Murray’s involvement in the school extends beyond classroom visits. She has accompanied students on excursions to the Mounted Police Unit and Railway Squad, participated in school events like Sports Day and the Year 12 Formal, and celebrated cultural milestones such as Harmony Day and NAIDOC Week. Her presence has provided security and comfort for the students, who have formed strong bonds with Sargent Murray and Charlie.

Aspley Special School Principal Mrs Kathleen McDonald praised Sargent Murray’s exceptional dedication to the role. She noted the heartwarming connections that students and staff have formed with the AAC and Charlie and emphasised their positive impact on the school community. The students’ interactions with Charlie, a calm and friendly canine companion, have created a soothing and welcoming atmosphere during school assemblies.

Sargent Murray’s experience as the AAC has reinforced the valuable lessons that can be learned from dogs. Charlie’s gentle nature and unwavering loyalty have taught her and others important life lessons.

Through her work at Aspley Special School, Sargent Murray has not only served her community but has also left a lasting legacy of friendship, trust, and understanding

Published Date 04-September-2024

Aspley Special School Students Dance Up a Storm for Sick Kids

Photo Credit: Dance For Sick Kids

Aspley Special School students have shown their boundless generosity and infectious enthusiasm by participating in the Dance for Sick Kids challenge, raising an impressive $1,055 to support young patients across the nation.

The school community came together to groove and move, showcasing their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

Students and staff alike busted a move to raise money for Dance for Sick Kids, a national initiative supporting children’s hospitals all over Australia. Chesleigh H., a student, was in charge of the fundraising campaign. Chesleigh’s goal was to raise $320, but she exceeded her target by a considerable margin, demonstrating the incredible dedication of the Aspley community.

The funds raised will go towards providing vital resources and support for sick children and their families, ensuring they have access to the best possible care during challenging times.

The Dance for Sick Kids challenge not only provided an opportunity for students to have fun and express themselves through dance, but also instilled in them the importance of giving back to the community.

Aspley Special School principal, Mr Chesleigh Hargreaves, expressed immense pride in the students’ efforts, stating that their dedication to helping others was truly inspiring. The principal also highlighted the positive impact that the event had on the school community, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared purpose.

The success of the Dance for Sick Kids challenge at Aspley Special School is a testament to the power of community spirit and the unwavering determination of young people to make a difference in the world. Their efforts serve as a shining example for others to follow, proving that even the smallest actions can have a profound impact on the lives of those in need.

Published Date 28-May-2024

Aspley Special School Empowers Students with Road Safety Awareness on National Road Safety Week

Aspley Special School has taken proactive steps to ensure road safety for its students. In line with National Road Safety Week, the school organised a special event aimed at teaching students about road safety in a fun and practical manner.

Held on Friday, 20 May 2022, the event was joined by officers from the bike squad, the Highway Patrol, and the Transport and Main Roads team.

Sergeant Jodie Murray took the initiative to arrange a morning of engaging activities that would help students understand the importance of road safety. Sergeant Jodie and her colleagues aimed to raise awareness about road safety issues and promote a safer environment for all road users.

The day started off on a positive note, as the sun shone brightly. The school’s newly refurbished bike track area, known as The Chesway, provided the perfect setting for the event. Equipped with bicycles and safety gear, the students eagerly gathered to participate in the practical learning activities.

The students learned about wearing appropriate safety gear, understanding traffic signs and signals, and practising good road manners. The officers and transport professionals demonstrated proper techniques for crossing roads, navigating intersections, and maintaining a safe distance from vehicles.

One special guest, Charlie the Dog, also made an appearance at Aspley Special School. Charlie, known for his friendly demeanour, made sure to provide cuddles and pats to everyone, further fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.

National Road Safety Week served as a catalyst for highlighting the impact of road trauma and discussing effective strategies to reduce accidents. The event emphasized the fundamental principle of “safety first.”

Published 26-May-2023

Aspley Special School Takes Part in Pilot Program for Container Refund Scheme

Aspley Special School is one of the 30 state schools that will pilot the newly launched Container Refund Scheme (CRS).

The Container Refund Scheme offers a ten cent refund on every eligible container. This includes containers made from glass, plastic, aluminium or liquid paperboard and can range in size from 150ml to 3L.

“This is a fantastic scheme and one that I would love to see school communities from across the state get behind,” Education Minister Grace Grace said.

Ms Grace also said that the government is providing a $1000,000 grant towards the $150,000 total cost for P&Cs Queensland‘s pilot program. The program seeks to find out the best ways for schools to get involved and maximise the benefits from the CRS.

Participating State Schools

Under the plan, participating schools will trial ways to collect containers within their school communities. Everyone associated with their school, including parents and carers, students and teachers can get involved in the project.

“P&Cs Qld will report back to the government by mid-2019 on the success of the pilot project and we hope to use these findings to encourage more schools to join the scheme,” said Ms Grace

Apart from Aspley Special School, the following state schools are also participating in the pilot program:

Cairns

Balaclava State School
White Rock State School
Yorkeys Knob State School

Townsville

Currajong State School
Pimlico State High School
Townsville Central State School
Townsville Community Learning Centre
Townsville South State School
Woodstock State School

Toowoomba

Harristown State High School
Highfields State School

Brisbane Southside

Chatswood Hills State School
Kimberley Park State School
Loganholme State School
Mansfield State High School
Mansfield State School
Robertson State School
Rochedale South State School
Shailer Park State High School

Envirobank – Bag Drop Pilot

Brisbane Northside

Albany Creek State School
Aviation High
Earnshaw State College
Eatons Hill State School
Mitchelton State Special School
Nundah State School
Wooloowin State School

Sunshine Coast

Mountain Creek State High School

Gold Coast

Bellevue Park State School
Coombabah State School

Ms Grace is positive that most Queensland schools will benefit from this scheme. Currently, CRS aims to increase the approximate 40 per cent recycling rate Queensland has now to upwards of 80 per cent. Such an increase in the recycling rate was observed in other countries when financial incentives are offered to recycle containers.

P&Cs Queensland Container Refund Scheme Pilot Program

P&Cs Qld President Gayle Walters said they were very excited to be partnering with the State Government to get schools involved in the innovative scheme.

“We see the Container Refund Scheme pilot program as an ideal opportunity to establish on-site donation points in Queensland state schools and we will be working with Refund Point Operators on a sustainable and safe plan to maximise benefits flowing to these schools,” Ms Walters said.

“The scheme has the potential to provide invaluable education for our students on caring for their environment as well as providing a real boost to P&C funding.”

Read more about P&Cs Qld’s pilot program from their official CRS website.