Equipping you to Connect In

The focus of this key is on connecting with young people in the school environment – recognising that they will feel more comfortable in “their space”, and working towards establishing trusting relationships between students, school staff and the ELEVATE team members. Programs are designed to address the identified needs of the school.  Share your  Connect In ideas in the next quarterly newsletter by emailing Meredith

Connecting In with Stawell ELEVATE

Gary and Sharon (Gaz and Shaz) Parkinson, Directors of Stawell ELEVATE, are excited about the fruit they see growing from their two years of outreach. But they had to persevere the first year when few participated in the ELEVATE activities they offered, and in the second year Sharon faced a major health challenge.

“We felt like we would never make any progress,” Sharon says, “but God kept reminding us that we are not alone and that He is committed to work in us.”

Kicking off this year with a bang, Shaz and Gaz invited Christian band Iron & Clay to play at the College, with nearly 200 students piling into the auditorium to listen. Iron & Clay ministered to the kids through their music by discussing issues such as bullying, drugs, alcohol and depression. And when they shared the gospel at a community concert ten young people made decisions for Christ!

This year ELEVATE and Stawell Secondary College will partner with the local Men’s Shed Program. Students will work with older men, learning new skills, sharing life experiences and building relationships – benefitting from male role models they may not have at home. This year will also see the introduction of Zumba fitness dance classes for the girls, led by a local fitness instructor! Gary and Sharon are eager to thank you for your prayers and support which keep them on the job of impacting struggling young people at Stawell College.

Connecting In with Road Trip

One Teenager; One Mentor; Regular Time Investment; Encouragement; Inspiration
This is the vision for ROAD TRIP – a new youth mentoring program developed by Bec Olver, in partnership with Bellarine Secondary College. Link to Article [HERE]

Building Relationships with your School

Link to: Article Here

Explore chaplaincy in educational settings.

Degree-level unit for prospective and practising chaplains, or for any Christians
working in primary, secondary or tertiary education.  [More]

Connecting In with Dragster project 2010

When I think of the words Connect, Build and Empower, I can’t help but think of the dragcar project and how these three words fit the project. Mechanically there are so many connections, we are constantly building the vehicle into a better machine and the Power which it produces will leave you speechless – “EM”. [more]

Connecting In with Extreme Games

In the past schools have requested Extreme Games as a tool for encouraging team work, assisting students to manage transition, building connection and relationship amongst students, and to encourage physical activity as part of health and wellbeing programs.  [more]

New Resource

‘Chic’ is Here

Choices, Hopes, Identity, Consequences

CHIC is a program designed for young women between the ages of 11 and 15. It uses various fun and challenging activities and related discussion, exploring issues including identity, self-worth, respect for others, social justice and conflict resolution. The sessions are designed for a small group of 6-10 participants. It is a great resource which teams can use as a ‘Connect In‘ program.

Link to: sample session
For more info contact Charlene