Year 13 Booklet - 2024

Year 13 is a Year for Life. It is a Christian discipleship gap year to help you deepen your love for Jesus and lay a foundation to joyfully follow and serve him for the rest of your life.

A YEAR OF COMMUNITY

Following Jesus is the most important thing you can do in your life. As his disciples, we want to grow and build our life on the sure foundation he gives to us. This growing process is often called discipleship. Year 13 helps you take the time to stop, invest, grow and thrive in your relationship with Jesus. With this as your foundation, you will be ready to meet the challenges of the next chapter of life, and more than that, ready to thrive. Year 13 is a ‘Year For Life’.

Throughout the year you will enjoy digging into God’s word the Bible, you will enjoy the blessings of tight knit Christian community, you will enjoy serving others in the program, your church, and across the world. Most of all, you will enjoy seeing the grace of God at work in your life as you are changed to be more like Jesus.

You will be taught and mentored by experienced Christian leaders and learn skills in life and Christian ministry that will shape the way you interact in the world for decades to come.

A YEAR TO STOP

Life is busy and it just keeps getting busier. There are greater and greater demands, pressure, responsibilities and notifications, with no end in sight. But after the busyness of Year 12, and before all this begins in lifes next chapter, take some time to stop. To breathe. To collect your thoughts.

A YEAR TO INVEST

But stopping isn’t quite enough. It’s one thing to give time and space to stop, it’s another to make sure what you place in life is intentional, a thoughtful investment. And what could be better in preparation for the rest of your life to invest in the word of God. The word of God which is the lamp to our feet and light to our path, the same word of God which is our foundation. Take the year to invest in God’s word. And yet, at Year 13 we don’t invest in God’s word alone, we do so with other like-minded believers. We invest in community. Once you’re on the treadmill of life, it’s hard to stop, so take the time to invest now in what counts into eternity!

A YEAR TO GROW

God promises that when you submit yourself to him in his word, he promises that you will grow. As you stop, invest and dig into God’s word in community together, you can be sure that you will grow. You’ll grow in love for God, love for one another, ability to trust God through many and varied experiences, such as the Fiji Mission and gain a deeper appreciation of who God has made you to be, to ready you for the next phase of life.

A YEAR TO THRIVE

Year 13 is a year to thrive. As you stop, invest and grow, you will find it is a year you will forever look back to with joy and fondness as you see in tangible ways the work of God in your life. You will thrive, just as God made you to be. Not only this, Year 13 will serve to make sure you thrive, not just now, but for your whole life - Through the program’s foundation in the word of God and relationships with others, this will benefit your journey as a follower of Christ forever.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

FOR STUDENTS

DEEP

In a busy world, much of what we do is shallow. Year 13 gives you depth. Depth in the knowledge of God’s word. Depth in relationships with others. Take the time to step out of busy, and shallow, and into the depth that God offers. Take time to explore big ideas, big questions, big concepts and wrestle with real questions for real life!

PRACTICAL

Year 13 is not just about what you know, but how to live it out! You will be fuelled up by God’s word, but that fuel is to be used! As a result, your classes, seminars, and experiences will be practical, allowing you to build skills for life based on the foundation of God’s word.

FUN

God’s word, God’s people, God’s mission. Get a taste of what God truly made us for in a year of joy, and fun. Year 13 is full of laughter, fun, and unforgettable experiences which you will take with you into the rest of your life.

FOR PARENTS

Research shows that student who take a gap year before starting university perform better academically. But it’s not just about academics. Increasingly, more and more universities are encouraging students to defer their enrolments and take a gap year before commencing study. One of the great strengths of a gap year is the chance to take a breath. There are so many options and decisions facing your child after school, and the impact these decisions have on the rest of their lives can be daunting. They feel so much pressure to get it right!

Study after study reports that gap year students have greater clarity and motivation in pursuing further academic study, benefit from increased employability and better career satisfaction, as well as gain a broader perspective on life. The involvement of Year 13 mentors in your child’s life, building valuable social and spiritual capital with them, will help your child flourish into adulthood.

Don’t just take our word for it, check out the research for yourself…

“I am a great advocate of the gap year, provided that the year is well planned. I taught in Oxford for many years, where you are responsible for a small group of students throughout their degree and get to know them very well. The students who had taken a gap year were invariably more mature, and more ready for tertiary study, than those who had come direct from high school. Far from losing ground, students arrive at University from a gap year better prepared to excel.”

Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of Sydney (14 September, 2018)

FOR MINISTERS

DISCIPLESHIP FOR CHRISTIAN MATURITY

At Year 13, we see ourselves as the servants of the local church. The local church is the epicentre of Christian ministry and mission. At Year 13 we want to support your ministry by training and investing in students to, under God, help supercharge the faith of students and send them back to your churches fired up to live for Jesus, influencing others with the same zeal in Christ.

DISCIPLESHIP FOR CHRISTIAN MATURITY

We recognise that not every Year 13 student has the same level of Christian maturity, or the same character, convictions, or competency. Some are very keen to keep following Jesus and want to take every opportunity to expand ways they can serve Him and their neighbours. Year 13 is for all Christian school leavers regardless of their current spiritual maturity! We want to partner with you in discipling and developing them to maturity in Christ as they transition to adulthood.

CHURCH PARTNERSHIP

Growing a young person in maturity in Christ during Year 13 is meant to be an intentional partnership between Year 13 and the students’ local church. All Year 13 students are expected to be attending a church service, small group and serving in their local church. Sacrificially serving God’s people in their home church is one of the key ways they will grow in Christ during the year. This will look different from student to student, and from church to church and we encourage dialogue to find the best ways to serve together.

We ask that the local church:

1. Provide an older mentor of the same gender to meet regularly with a Year 13 student. A mentor is an essential part of our program and functions as a connection between Year 13 and the rest of a student’s life. Mentoring provides long term nurture and discipleship of students, which will hopefully extend far beyond Year 13. Mentors can provide a confidential sounding board during the year for students as they process the many new experiences and challenges they face.

2. Determine what are the best ministries for the Year 13 student to be involved in to serve the church and grow personally.

3. Provide suitable training, supervision and feedback to help grow the ministry skills of the Year 13 student.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at year13@youthworks.net or on (02) 8093 3412.

93% OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE YEAR 13 STAY IN CHURCH

66% COMPARED TO OF THEIR PEERS AGED 19*

49% OF THEIR PEERS AGED 26*

FIJI MISSION

OVERVIEW

On mission you will visit some beautiful locations and experience genuine Fijian culture and hospitality, far from the tourists, as we partner with churches and share the gospel in many different contexts.

It is important to know that Year 13 does not go to ’do mission’. Our philosophy of mission is to partner with local Fijians in mission. God has opened the door for Year 13 to return year after year to the same ministries, seeking to consolidate the work done by previous year groups and develop long-term relationships with our Fijian partners.

Fijian culture operates on trust, and it is a great privilege and a testament to our past students to be asked back each year.

The Fiji mission takes place in June-July. It is 3-4 weeks

The cost of the Fiji trip is not included in the Year 13 fees. Year 13 students are expected to fundraise to cover their mission costs. Year 13 provides training and support for this fundraising. The mission fees cover airfares, incountry transfers, hospital and travel insurance, meals, training and accommodation.

Risk management policies and emergency procedures are in place to ensure the safety of all team members. Year 13 is also always monitoring the Australian government travel advice for Fiji. Fully qualified medical personnel

MISSION PREPARATION

You will be well prepared for cross-cultural ministry through

Travel to Fiji does not require a Visa for Australian citizens but

You need to have a passport that has 6 months validity, to travel to Fiji. You may also require some vaccinations. Year 13 will provide details of what is recommended, but these will need to be organised and paid for by you.

O-WEEK

Year 13 begins with a time away where everyone comes together to jump-start the year. A fun-filled week with chapel, lectures, activities and much more. It’s a great way to meet others doing Year 13 and prepare for the year ahead.

FIJI MISSION

JUNE/JULY

FEBRUARY NOVEMBER

FIJI TRAINING WEEKS

Fiji Training Week is a chance to get away and focus on the mission to Fiji. Through classes, activities and much more, you’ll be trained for ministry in Fiji, and will gain a better understanding of cross-cultural mission.

The Fiji mission is a highlight of the Year 13 program. You will have the privilege of growing in your faith and mission mindedness as you meet with Fijian Christians and partner with them in bringing the gospel to their communities.

CELEBRATION SERVICE

The Celebration Service is an opportunity to reflect on everything that Year 13 has been and praise God for the work he has done over the year. Your family, friends and supporters join us as we celebrate!

D-WEEK

NOVEMBER

D-Week is the perfect way to finish the year. With everyone together for one final week, it’s a time to celebrate as we look back on everything God has done for all of us in Year 13 and to get excited as we look forward to what he has planned for our futures glorifying and serving him.

YOUR WEEK

An important part of Year 13 is staying on campus for 2 days with 1 overnight each week. This allows us to ‘do life together’ and build deep friendships, whether it is by being taught together, praying together, having meals together or just hanging out and laughing together at night. The time on campus also includes chaplaincy and prayer groups, chapel, evening programs, morning and afternoon prayers and solo time with God.

STREAM 1 STREAM 2

TUESDAY Arrive Morning Devotion Solos Morning Tea Biblical Theology Lunch Biblical Theology Break Chaplaincy Groups Free Time Dinner Community Time Free Time Bed Time

WEDNESDAY Breakfast Chapel Prayer Groups Ministry Skills Lunch Ministry Skills Break Clean Up Arvo Prayers

WEDNESDAY Breakfast Chapel Prayer Groups Ministry Skills Lunch Ministry Skills Break Chaplaincy Groups Free Time Dinner Community Time

THURSDAY Arrive Morning Devotion Solos Morning Tea Biblical Theology Lunch Biblical Theology Break Clean Up Arvo Prayers

APPLY NOW

Wondering if a gap year is for you? Why not talk to someone about their gap year experience?

Embrace the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore – with Year 13.

Grow in your faith and knowledge of God, make new like-minded friends and gain clarity about your next steps.

We all want to feel fresh, inspired and ready when we make important decisions about our future. But after the intensity of Year 12, many young people need to reset mentally and emotionally before embarking on life’s next adventure.

Year 13 equips you to enter your future with energy, enthusiasm and confidence.

WHY WAIT? FIND OUT MORE!

PH (02) 8093 3412

E year13@youthworks.net

GET A TASTE FOR YEAR 13

OPEN DAYS

Come along to our Open Day for your chance to meet the staff, hear about the details of our program, ask questions and tour the campus.

STUDY CAMPS

If you are a Year 11 and 12 HSC or IB student, this is the camp for you! A great opportunity for you to get away from the usual distractions of life and get serious about your study.

SCAN TO SEE THE LATEST YEAR 13 EVENTS OR VISIT:

YEAR13.NET/EVENTS

YEAR 13 APPLICATION PROCESS

A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

When many students finish school, they head away on a trip, perhaps interstate, perhaps across the world. As they prepare to travel, they pack their bags, making sure they have everything they need packed in for the adventure they are about to take. Of course, the most important items go in first, and the less

Throughout the last years of school, students have been packing a metaphorical bag, full of all the knowledge and skills they need to take into the rest of life. And yet, the most important item to go in the bag for the rest of life, is relationship with Jesus. At school we prepare well to ‘pack our bag’ for the next part of life, but are we ready with the most important ingredient for

Year 13 allows for the opportunity to stop, invest, grow and thrive for the rest of life.

As young men and women take a gap year with us at Year 13, they will be encouraged to build the rest of their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. They will learn more about themselves, become more equipped, more confident, more connected and ready to make a difference in God’s word, for his glory.

Our graduates and their families can attest to the benefit of the program. Many of them are thriving in various fields of life, both here and around the world, but as they thrive, they do so based on the foundation that Jesus Christ alone offers.