To provide holistic support, help prevent 'at risk' behaviour, and see young people reach their potential.
Mainstream youth in the south Christchurch area.
In our local area, few young people are striving to reach their full potential. They face issues of alcohol and drug use, boredom, lack of role models that they can trust, and distorted self-image. Both schools and community agencies recognize that holistic support is needed.
To provide paid part-time youth workers based from Spreydon Youth Community who seek to build positive relationships with and holistic support for young people in our schools.
- To compliment and enhance the role of the teachers and provide a holistic support network for the students in our local high schools.
- To help build positive relationships with students. This includes student relationships with staff, with their peers, and with significant young adults such as our youth workers.
- To enhance the spirit of the school by working alongside students, student council and staff to create a safe and friendly environment where students enjoy their time at school and develop a sense of whanaungatanga (good citizenship).
- To encourage and strengthen individual students in leadership roles through exploring issues such as communication, self-esteem and trust. We are also able to work in conjunction with the school to enhance and develop existing programmes, such as the Peer Support Program, and training of student councils.
- To assist with extra-curricular activities.
The schools which we work in are Cashmere High, Hillmorton High and Middleton Grange. These leaders are involved with the following:
- Assisting students and young leaders within the school to run big events. This is achieved by being involved in the planning process, providing resources and supporting the students. For example, the Happy Days week at Riccarton High, the Week of Fun at Hillmorton High, and running events at Cashmere High.
- Working closely alongside the school councils by providing them with ideas, support, encouragement and enthusiasm. We also promote the role and potential role of the school council within the school.
- Providing leadership training and team building opportunities for the students on the council and also those identified by staff. This is vital to creating a positive environment in the rest of the school.
- Spending at least a couple of lunchtimes a week in the schools building relationships with the students by just spending time with them, getting to know them as well as by running various sorts of activities for the students. These lunchtimes and activities endeavour to eventually reach and involve all student interest groups.
- Providing assistance in situations where students are involved in running school assemblies. The youth workers help by encouraging and stimulating ideas for creative and effective communication and a desire to enhance the school spirit.
- Coaching sports teams such as soccer, netball, volleyball, rugby and basketball, and help with various musical groups.
- Facilitating and developing the Peer Support Programs in both Riccarton and Hillmorton High Schools. This is because we hope to encourage the students to build positive relationships with younger students and to help them provide necessary support for each other.
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