What a big Term 3 it has been and our team is beyond thankful to God for it.
We partnered with two whole schools from Grade 1-12 as well as blessing several other schools and churches along the way. Our new casual Workshop Presenters started and we launched a podcast with Positive Media.
Here’s a glimpse into what Term 3 looked like at Big Kids’ Table…
Torrens Valley Christian School, Adelaide
Alongside parent and staff workshops, four of our team spent the week connecting with students, staff and parents, presenting whole-school student workshops from Grade 1 through to Year 12 at Torrens Valley Christian School.
For the primary students in particular, conversations around growing up and God were new territory. Yet they were incredibly curious, respectful and eager to learn, asking thoughtful questions and engaging openly throughout the week.
The staff and parents were an absolute delight, and we’re already looking forward to connecting again! We loved partnering with the discipleship culture they have built to see many secondary student commit to Jesus.
Our wonderful workshop team also enjoyed some quality time together as we bonded over basketball, smoky fireplaces in the airbnb and plenty of delicious meals.
A standout moment was when a Year 9 student spoke to Bek and Lauren about wanting to honour God with the media she consumes while also engaging with her friends about popular culture. Bek and Lauren were able to pray for this student and our team continues to pray that she would be salt and light in our world.
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Torrens Valley Christian School community and look forward to all that’s ahead!
Heathdale Christian College, Melton Campus
Over two weeks, the BKT team worked with the Heathdale Christian College Melton Campus to provide workshops for every year level from Grade 1-12.
It was a blessing to work with these students for the third year in a row and to see how their knowledge, skills, confidence, and assurance of themselves has grown.
It was also the first workshops all together with our new casual team. Rowan and Jazz absolutely smashed it.
Some highlights included:
- Our Year 5 students were especially keen to lean into conversations around puberty and the ways their bodies, minds and hearts will change as they grow into their teenage years and young adulthood. Their questions were innocent, thoughtful and genuine, reflecting just how important this learning is as they prepare for the changes ahead.
- Another highlight from the Primary Workshop was acknowledging that this would be Georgia’s final student workshop before she begins her maternity leave. It was a special opportunity for the team to celebrate this exciting new chapter for Georgia, while also marking the start of a new season for BKT.
- Year 7s learning about the harms of porn to their mind and relationships with such ease as they had already learnt about the basic information around this in previous years. They were well prepared by their safe adults and felt empowered by the workshop.
- Year 11s asking big questions about what worldview they hold when it comes to sex and relationships and whether their actions are in line with this.
Southern Christian College, Tasmania
Joel and Bek travelled to Tasmania to facilitate a full-day workshop with the Year 8 students at Southern Christian College.
It was a big day filled with energy, fun and plenty of thoughtful discussion. Students explored important topics including dating, boundaries, consent, and healthy and unhealthy relationships. There was lots of robust conversation, with students engaging openly, asking great questions and sharing their perspectives. The full-day format allowed us to explore these topics in greater depth and consider how they apply to friendships, relationships and everyday life.
We were also incredibly grateful for the warm welcome from the staff at Southern Christian College. Their hospitality was wonderful, and Joel and Bek were made to feel right at home especially with the delicious homemade lasagna for lunch!
Melton Christian College, Year 5 and 6
We had two great sessions with the Year 5 and 6 students at Melton Christian College, who were a fun and engaged group with lots of thoughtful questions and genuine interest.
It was also a special first workshop for our new workshop member, Jazz, who joined us and settled in wonderfully.
The Year 5 students explored their bodies, puberty, and the physical and emotional changes that come with growing up.
The Year 6 students focused on boundaries, self-awareness, and staying safe online, including understanding safe and unsafe content. They also learnt how to recognise when something doesn’t feel right, who they can turn to for help, and what to do when their body is telling them they need support.
It was a super positive day, with great participation from both year levels
A Podcast for Parents
A new podcast from Big Kids’ Table and 89.9 TheLight, created for Christian parents and guardians who want to feel more confident navigating these conversations with their kids.
Across the first season, we’ll talk about:
- Parenting in today’s culture within church walls and broader secular society
- Our own stories and experiences and how they shape how we parent
- Faith, discipleship & sexuality
- How to create a home where young people can ask honest questions
- Tips and tricks for those tricky questions about sex, relationships, bodies and more.
Because healthy sexuality isn’t a one-off conversation. It’s something we disciple our young people in over time.
Whether you’re parenting a preschooler, navigating puberty with your child or raising a teenager, Parental Discretion is here to help you pull up a chair and join the conversation.
Click here to access the podcast.
Term 4 is filling up with bookings so get in contact if you want to lock in your spot! What a joy to be part of what God is doing in schools and churches across Australia!
If you’re keen to bring our programs to your school, parent community, or church, we’d love to hear from you. You can enquire at the links below 👇🏼
As we look towards the months ahead, we’re filled with hope and anticipation for more meaningful conversations, deeper partnerships, and the quiet, lasting work God continues to do in the lives of young people across the country.
We’re so grateful to every school, church, parent, and student who has welcomed us this term. It’s a privilege we never take for granted.
Lauren Foster
Co-Founder
