The Youth Board Story

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Nelson College for Girls - the Youth Board

Nelson College for Girls Health Action Group dedicated an area at their school for a noticeboard, which is for Youth information

Why we thought of it:

·     We thought of the youth board because we think it's important that the youth of NCG and Nelson are informed and involved in up coming events in the Nelson region and youth friendly services, i.e. Family Planning Clinic.  After going to the NZAAHD conference in Christchurch we realised that there was not enough youth voice around Nelson and New Zealand.

How we got it to happen?

·     After getting back from the conference in Christchurch I went straight away to see both Mrs McAlpine our principal and Mrs Todd our deputy principal.  We told them what we wanted to do and what ideas we had got from the conference in Christchurch.  We wanted to know that we had their support and we needed an outline of what was allowed to be on the youth board so we didn't over step our mark. 

What is it like? Where is it at school?

·     It's next to the student office at school - it is accessible and everyone walks past it nearly every day so it was the perfect place.  It is a big space that has black in the background with bright coloured boards with information on it.

     What sort of stuff is on it?

We have information about committees at Girls, eg:

·     Health Action (HAGS)

·     Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD)

·     Smoking Group (Quit Group)

 Plus other organisations and events:

·    Suggestions page

·     Youth Week

·     Family Planning Clinic

·     What's happening in Nelson

·     Youth Views

Can anyone put anything on it?

·     Students have to come to one of the Youth Board members and give them advertisements and we get copies and put them in the Youth Board folder and on the youth board if we feel it is relevant.

  What sort of response have we got?

·     Well it seems that everyone wants to have their say about what they want at the school and what they would like to see during Youth Week so it had a good response when it was first up.  We have daily notices in the school notices advertising the youth board and any other up-coming events.  Things like the Independent Nursing Clinic business cards go fast and any other pamphlets that we have on the board & flyers for gigs.

If you want Youth Board @ your school you can do the following:

1.  Go see one of the senior staff at your school, tell them what you want and back it up with evidence.

2.          Say you want more of a youth voice around your school and how you plan to do it.

3.          Find a good space that most of the students and staff pass during the day, eg near the Student Office.

4.          Find things that interest your school.

5.          Get contacts - go and see your Guidance Counsellors to find contacts or any advertisements that they may have for you to put up on the Youth Board.

6.          Get a folder and put in all your contacts for the Youth Board.
by Alana B.

Read about our current Youth Boards project.