• GFS / KidsPlus+ Perth is here to help you in every possible way
• We provide a wide range of support structures to assist with the running of your groups in your Parish/School
• We will support the commencement of your group with advertising and we provide ongoing program options and support
• We give hands on support with attendance by a Fieldworker for the first 6 meetings (or as negotiated) of your new group
• Our Fieldworker is available for other ways when you may require assistance (ie. If your group leader is going on holidays,
  for junior leadership development, running leadership training, giving telephone advice, providing program ideas, etc.)
• You will receive a newsletter from both GFS Perth and Australia so you can keep up with what is going on around in GFS 
• You get access to a large GFS Resources Library including programs, CDs, DVDs, a badge maker, music and “Big Games”
• All Members have the opportunity to meet and form friendships with other members, leaders, children and youth from other Parishes through our regular Diocesan-wide events. These include Camps, Holiday Clubs, Mother-Daughter High Tea, Dads-N-Lads BBQ, etc. 
• When you go ahead and begin a group, your group will become affiliated with GFS Perth. We will assist you throughout the process to ensure you and your team have all the requirements that need to be undertaken for GFS and the Anglican Diocese of Perth (ie. WWCC, Code of Conduct, etc.). 

KidsPlus+

GFS

Who can join?

• Teddybears Group caters for boys and girls who attend pre-primary and year 1
• Juniors Group caters for primary school aged girls through to year 6
• Members Group caters for year 7 and high school girls through to age 18
• How much does it cost? Groups usually charge $2 per meeting and there is an Annual Diocesan Fee of $10 per girl.

Bella Program

GFS has this program all ready to go, we just need a school/parish to want to run it. This program has been running in Toowoomba for many years by Toowoomba City Women and we purchased the program when they visited Perth in 2015. Originally from the Hillsong Shine program “SHINE is a unique personal development and group- mentoring tool that uses an inspirational, practical and experiential approach to learning. This program is founded upon the premise that every life counts and has intrinsic value, and fosters an awareness of this belief. As a result, girls and women are equipped to become effective global citizens for the future. The aim is for each girl and women to develop an understanding of her own personal worth, strength and purpose to realise the potential within her to fulfil her desires.”

Below is a report from Kate Brewer who ran this program in the second half of 2016

Bella Girl Program 2016

The Bella Girls program for High School girls is an initiative of City Women, Toowoomba, Qld. After attending a forum in May 2016, I was interested in starting a group but had no idea where this would be. During an informal conversation with the new chaplain in Murwillumbah High School, Craig Underwood, the door was opened for a pilot program to begin.

So in August we began an 8 week program with approximately 11 Year 9 girls, who volunteered to do Bella girls. Due to the timing of the start, holidays and a previous commitment there was a 6 week break between week 5 and week 6 and therefore lost some momentum with the number of girls present.

The topics covered were dreams, the Prince and toad, frenemies, skin and hair care, social media and etiquette. We had a closing ‘graduation’ lunch and the girls were presented with a Bella Rae magazine and a certificate.

Initially it was difficult beginning a new initiative and we were hoping to establish this program in the High School and prayed for a real and genuine connection with the girls, which proved challenging. However the feedback was encouraging:

And on the negative they considered more time and pracs would be helpful.

Thanks

We met in the Home Science block (H4) and were blessed by the welcoming support of Gail, who opened up, helped where needed and at our lunch went above and beyond. Such a blessing. Thanks to Craig for the opportunity, for his organising, help in setting up and the ‘gathering’ where needed. Thanks also to the girls for their willingness to be a part of the pilot program. My thanks also go to Maureen Harper, friend and wonderful helper, her professional counselling and beautician skills were a blessing to me and to the course.

Thank you to GFS Brisbane for their wonderful financial support without which the program would not have been as successful and to GFS Perth for their contribution. Thanks to all who supported, encouraged and prayed.

We are looking forward to doing another program in term 2 next year. Hopefully the administration process of volunteer entry to the school may be less obstructive to our volunteers.

Yours in Christ Kate Brewer

Kate, Maureen and Craig at the lunch

Strength Program

This program is a development program to help boys transition from being male to being a man… which speaks of values and character and self-discipline and responsibility in growing in maturity.

Strength covers some uncomfortable topics such as: