Is it bullying?
Farewell Jayden
This week we said a sad farewell to Jayden who is moving onto a new exciting role with another youth development agency in the city centre. Jayden has been a full-time worker at YAT for over 5 years, but has been a part of the YAT whānau most of his life, attending programmes as a child, teenager, then volunteering in various roles, picking up casual work, before becoming permanent staff, while obtaining a Diploma in Youth Work. His final day was yesterday, were he ‘coincidently’ led a fun day trip to Hanmer Springs with our rangatahi. Jayden will be hugely missed at YAT, particularly as the coordinator of our Kea Holiday Programme, Tamatāne Boys Club and Surge teenage club. We send Jayden with our best wishes. We’re stoked you’ll still be bringing the best of your skills and knowledge to the youth sector in Christchurch and know you’ll always be a part of our whānau.
Check out some of the work Jayden has been doing at Shirley Boys High School in their latest reports: Term 1 2025 Term 2 2025
Summer Holiday Programmes – Survey
Summer Holiday Programmes – SURVEY
We are keen to hear from our regular parents as to their holiday programme needs both PRE & POST Christmas. We know some parents need as much holiday programme time as possible, but we’re trying to balance the needs of the community, with the regular responsibilities of our staff and also give them a decent summer break. We have an indication from local schools (see below – although some to be confirmed), so would you take 1 minute to answer these few questions for us: YAT Summer Holiday Programme SURVEY
- Rawhiti School. Closes Wednesday 17th Dec. Re-Opens for whole school: Monday 2nd Feb (30th & 31st Jan – goal setting days).
- South New Brighton School. Closes Friday 19th Dec. Probably Re-Opens first week in Feb.
- New Brighton Catholic School. Closes Tuesday 16th Dec. Re-Open date tbc.
- Chisnallwood. Closes Friday 12th Dec. Re-Opens Thursday 29th Jan.
- Hillview. Closes Tuesday 16th Dec. Re-Opens tbc
Parenting Anxious Kids Seminar
Mana Ake and Youth Alive Trust are proud to present another evening in the East of Christchurch, to support parents/ those working and supporting children. This event’s key topic is: ANXIETY.
There will be some light refreshments, time for informal Q & A, mingling, and hopefully equip you with some extra tools to navigate the world alongside your young people!
7-8pm- Presentation
8-8:30- mingling, cuppa tea, informal q/a
Speaker info:
Catherine Gallagher Catherine Gallagher is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors. A lot of this time has been spend focused on supporting children, young people and their whanau around a number of issues, including anxiety- the topic of tonight’s talk.
More specifically, she will explore:
– What anxiety is?
– Why some might struggle with it more than others?
– How the adults in children’s lives can support brave behaviour so that anxiety doesn’t take charge and make their lives smaller than they should be.
Get your FREE ticket Here:
Follow the facebook event:
Involve Conference 2025
We loved the past couple of days gathering with youth workers from all over the country for the bi-annual youth workers conference, @Involve and this year it was at the amazing Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Challenging speakers, conversations, connections and encouragement. We even got to host part of the pre-Involve tour, showcasing young people from Amplify School of Music, gave them and good feed with Empire Chicken and then down to He Puna Taimoana. Special week!
JOB Opportunity @ YAT
Youth Development Team Lead – Make a Lasting Impact!
Location: Grace Vineyard Beach Campus, New Brighton, Christchurch
Hours: Permanent, 30–35 hours/week (includes some evenings & weekends)
Salary: $60,249 – $72,537 FTE (pro rata)
Do you have a heart for young people and a passion for leadership? Are you looking to lead a dynamic team making a real difference in the lives of tamariki and rangatahi in our local community? If so, this is the opportunity for you!
About the Role:
Youth Alive Trust is on the lookout for a highly motivated and experienced Youth Development Team Lead to oversee our youth development programmes. You’ll be guiding a passionate team of youth workers, designing high-quality, evidence-informed programmes, and fostering strong relationships with community partners.
Your leadership will ensure our mahi continues to reflect our Christian values, uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and follow best practice youth development work principles.
Why Join Us?
- Faith-aligned mission: We’re a Christian trust with a deep commitment to transforming young lives.
- Community rooted: Based in beautiful New Brighton, serving the east of Christchurch since 1989.
- Culturally grounded: We embrace te ao Māori and foster inclusive and respectful engagement.
- Team culture: A fun, relational environment that values trust, servant leadership, and professional growth.
- Sector aligned pay and monthly external supervision provided.
You’ll Be Responsible For:
- Leading, supervising, and mentoring a team of youth workers and interns
- Overseeing and developing high-quality youth development programmes and events
- Building trusted relationships with rangatahi, whānau, schools, and community partners
- Managing programme administration, compliance, and reporting
- Promoting a culture of excellence, inclusion, and cultural safety
We’re Looking For:
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in youth development or a related field
- Proven experience leading a team
- A commitment to the Christian faith and values
- Strong interpersonal skills and understanding of youth development principles
- Cultural competence and a willingness to learn te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
- A relevant Level 6+ qualification (preferred) and a full NZ driver’s license
Read the FULL JOB DESCRIPTION HERE
Ready to Lead and Inspire?
Apply now via SEEK with your CV and cover letter.
Term 3 Spots Still Avaiable
It’s the beginning of Week 3, and it’s still not too late to sign up to one of our many clubs, for all age groups! Abnormally, but this term there is space at Kitchen Klub, where young people in School Years 5-8 make and bake delicious food, that they then get to eat! Every Tuesday from 4:00pm – 5:30pm. Check it out:
www.yat.org.nz/safer-streets/kitchen-klub
You’d welcome to come and check any of our clubs out before committing. Flick us an email: office@yat.org.nz
Amplify: Big Band Bash
Everyone is invited to join us to support our awesome students performing their hearts out on the big stage in a wide variety of Amplify Bands! Saturday 2nd August from 2pm- 4pm at A Rolling Stone, 579 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City. Free Entry!
July HP Photos
We made some more amazing memories at our holiday programmes. Check out these photos for some of our highlights!
Pukeko – Years 4-6 Photo Album
Piwakawaka – Years 6-9 Photo Album
Term 3 Club Bookings LIVE
Kia ora,
We hope the school holidays are going well. Reminder there are lots of Kidsfest activities in Christchurch to check out!
Latest Newsletter
Grab a coffee and read YAT’s latest Newsletter HERE.
Term 3
Registrations for all our programmes are LIVE for Term 3!! (& Term 4 if keen). Weekly clubs begin on Week 1, starting Monday 14th July. All club plans, brochures and online registration links for Term 3 are on our website.
> Seniors After-School Oscar (School Years 4-9) EVERYDAY with Van Pick Ups 2:45pm – 5:45pm
> Surge (School Years 9 – 13) Mondays 6:30-8:30pm. FREE for teenagers
> #NEW 2025: RISE (ages 12-16) Mondays 6:30pm – 8:00pm. FREE for teenagers
> Basketball Clubs (School Years 1 – 8) Tuesdays
- 3:15pm – 4:05pm (School Years 1-3)
- 4:15pm – 5:05pm (School Years 3-6)
- 5:15pm – 6:05pm (School Years 6-8)
> Kitchen Klub (School Years 5 – 9) Tuesdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm
> Kōtirotiro Girls Club (School Years 1 – 6) Wednesdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm
> Tamatāne Boys Club (School Years 1 – 6) Thursdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm
> Craft Club (School Years 5 – 9) Thursdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm
> Rock Solid (School Years 7 & 8) Fridays 4:00-6:00pm
> Amplify Music Lessons (School Years 1-13) Everyday 3pm – 6pm
> Amplify Band Programme (School Years 7-13) various times by audition
Save The Date: Parenting Seminar on Anxiety
Thursday 28th August 7:00pm at Beach Campus
Free Tickets will be advertised via our social media and website too.
Feedback
We appreciate any feedback on our programmes and have a short general parents feedback survey you can complete anytime. As positive comments made are also really helpful for us when applying for funding:
The YAT Team
www.facebook.com/youthalivetrustnz
www.instagram.com/youthalivetrust
www.youtube.com/@youthalivetrust
