For Parents & Ministers
There are many, many options facing your child after high school. In fact, it can be overwhelming. There is just so much pressure on them to do their best in Year 12, and then to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. It is not surprising that so many first year out students drop out, burn out or just realise that they have not ended up where they really want to be and change mid-way through the year.
One of the great strengths of a gap year is that it is a chance to take a breath. Life is not a race. There is no prize for the one that gets through school and study and into the workplace quickest. In fact, the first year post-school a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it really can be invested to great benefit. But you only get one chance! Even for the students that are certain what they want to do post-school there are enormous benefits to be had.
These benefits are now well documented in studies here and overseas. Indeed, more and more universities are now advocating a gap year and making it as easy as possible for entrants to defer their studies. That said, we recognise that a gap year is still counter-cultural to a certain extent, and there can be significant pressure on school-leavers to head straight into vocational study.
Over and above a gap year, is a structured gap year. As good as working for a while, or heading o/s with a backpack (or both) can be, a structured year is even better.
As for Christian gap years, there are many options, but we believe Year 13 really is second-to-none. It is certainly not a cheapie, but then, you really do get what you pay for. It is not an 'internship' at a church or school. Nor is it a modified Bible college course. It is a carefully and deliberately structured, tried-and-tested, discipleship year that incorporates hands-on ministry experience (2 days), part-time work (2 days) and learning from God's Word and one another in community (2 days).
The classroom subjects are great preparation for further study, with award at a diploma level (from the Australian College of Theology). It also qualifies for Fee-Help - see "Can I afford it?". The ministry and volunteer work will stretch your son/daughter, as will the classes and the mission trip, but the real highlight will be the relationships with their peers. This year together will forge friendships that will last a lifetime.
Year 13 sets young Christians up for life.
Parents Say ...
“If you are a Christian parent and you want to see your child grounded in their faith in intellectual and really practical ways as well, then you can’t beat Year 13!”
Ted Brush
“I just want to say how incredibly awesome the whole experience has been. He has grown in such an amazing way – spiritually and as a young man.”
Julia Thompson
“For him and for us it was money well spent.”
Gary Hooper
Supervisors Say ...
"Initially I was a bit suspect about the Year 13 program. Would the program be useful to the trainee? Would the trainee be useful to us a church? Would the time spent with the Year 13 trainee be better spent on other ministry? Would it all add up to extra stress and unnesessary load in ministry? Well, I can say without reservation that having a Year 13 trainee has been one of the high points of ministry this year. I am keen to have at least one Year 13 trainee every year. I challenge every church to do the same. Congratulations Youthworks, you have a CRACKER of a program in Year 13."
Year 13 Supervisor, Peter Wood