Chatbus South

02/06/2026

This is a Year 6 child's feedback at the end of their last session together on the Chatbus (shared with permission). I hope it helps communicate with your children what another student's experience was coming into this service for the first time.

20/05/2026

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!
Get your tickets quickly before they run out!
events.humanitix.com/chatbus-south

11/05/2026

It's not about DOING MORE, it's about HOW WERE BEING TOGETHER amidst all that were doing...

This is the first post of numerous to come introducing the 'POWER of PAUSE' model - for parents, educators, and children.

So many of the big emotions our children experience are not “bad behaviour” — they are often signs that a part of them is overwhelmed, worried, frustrated, disconnected, or needing support. The PAUSE for Self-Leadership™ approach offers simple, compassionate ways to help adults and children together - slow down, notice what is happening inside, and reconnect with calm, clarity, and connection. Rather than reacting from stress or shutdown, children can learn how to regulate emotions, communicate needs, and return to their best selves with support from caring regulated adults.

For parents of children aged 5–12, these kinds of practices can become powerful daily well-being tools — especially during transitions like after school, bedtime, sibling conflict, disappointment, anxiety, or overstimulation. Through curiosity, emotional safety, imagination, gratitude, and connection, we can help children build lifelong skills for resilience, self-awareness, and emotional health — while also creating more connected “heart-to-heart” moments as a family.

If you would like to find out more information about the POWER of PAUSE model and some free offerings it has to help you understand and engage with the model, see the link below where the Founder and President of the Self-Leadership Collaborative, Joanna Curry-Sartori gives a 20minute talk, sharing what it is and a little about it's roots in developing the model, and how it's used in flexible ways.
https://joanna-curry-sartori.mykajabi.com/offers/XUa92LKL

Here is the general website link:
https://www.selfleadershipcollaborative.com/individuals

07/05/2026

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors and supporters who keep Chatbus running in 10 Invercargill Primary Schools.
Chatbus provides counselling services to children in primary schools where this would otherwise not be available.
Initially starting with 5 schools, one van and one counsellor in 2021, we now have 10 schools, two vans and two counsellors supporting tamariki with their social, emotional and mental wellbeing and with developing strategies for managing their worries, stresses and challenges.
Without these supporters and sponsors we simply would not be able to support the growing number of tamariki who need counselling support. Arohanui.

16/12/2025

School has finished for the year
Christmas tree up and decorated
Present hunting almost done
Christmas and holiday planning sorted

There is always a long list of expectations and things to do at Christmas
Remember to keep your JOY at this time of year and focus on what matters to you and your family
Awaken those simple family traditions and share them with others

Enjoy the holidays and
have a blessed and happy Christmas and New Year
from the Chatbus Team

19/11/2025

Supporting Children Mid-Term

Term 4 can be a busy and sometimes challenging time for both families and schools. With so much happening, some children may find it difficult to manage the expectations placed on them at home and at school. The following ideas may help support them through this time.

Healthy Sense of Control
Children sometimes act out when they feel powerless or not heard. Offering them specific, appropriate choices, such as what to wear, when to do their homework, or which chores they would prefer to do first, can help them feel more in control. Including children in family discussions, where possible, also allows them to feel valued and capable. Sharing control in this way can reduce power struggles and encourage responsibility.

Unconditional Love Regardless of Behaviour
Children crave connection and understanding. Parents can meet this need by combining empathy with meaningful consequences. Giving clear boundaries, where everyone understands their roles and expectations, can build trust, respect, and emotional safety.
For example, If a child is unhappy and engaging in unsuitable behaviour , a parent can say, “I know you're really upset. Maybe we can do something together when I know we can both enjoy it.”
This kind of message communicates, “I love and value you no matter what, but I don’t accept this behaviour.”

Feeling Good About Oneself
Take time to notice and comment on your child's strengths and positive actions. When a child feels seen and appreciated, they are more likely to respect boundaries and feel a strong sense of belonging within their family. This builds self-esteem and strengthens relationships.
For example: “I really appreciate how you helped out just now.”

The above information has been paraphrased from an email from https://www.loveandlogic.com, an American website that offers a range of useful resources for parents, teachers, and trainers.
https://www.loveandlogic.com/pages/articles-and-advice-for-parents

Positive parenting and teaching techniques to build healthy relationships with kids. Since 1977 we’ve helped make parenting and teaching fun and rewarding.

20/10/2025

Big thank you to "Printed Decor" for donating this wee 3D guy. He has been a great addition to my resource kete.

If you want one or something similar, they are available in lots of different colours. "Printed Decor " have a stall at the monthly Winton Community Market or can be contacted via email at [email protected].

16/10/2025

Week 1 of our last school term has come and gone. Children have reconnected with their friends and classmates. Everyone is back into schoolwork and participating in summer sports. The end of the year is approaching fast.

This is a quote from Lyndsay Healy, an early childhood educator.

"There's no such thing as perfect parenting and no such thing as a perfect parent and child relationship. Even though we would aspire for more, research shows we only have to get it right about 30% of the time to have a child who feels like they have a strong bond and a healthy relationship with their family"

One of the posters in my van states, "You don't have to be perfect to be amazing".

We all make mistakes. It is how we pick ourselves up, both children and parents, and learn and grow from these experiences that builds relationships.

Enjoy your time together this term. Spring has come, and summer is almost here.

30/09/2025

Such sad news to read of the passing of Nigel Latta. Nigel was a big supporter of Chatbus and an advocate for positive mental health for young people. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. ❤️

Farewell my great love. You were never dying, just living until the moment you weren’t. You fought cancer with enormous bravery. You’ve spent your life helping others in need. And now it’s your turn to rest. NF xx

On Tuesday the 30th of September Nigel passed away with the same dignity and positivity that he carried through life. He will be dearly missed by his wife Natalie, daughter Rina, son Kieran, and three stepchildren Elijah, Maya and Leon.

12/09/2025

Final week for voting for Chatbus South at Z Gladstone!!! (Corner Dee and Lewis Streets) Get petrol, coffee etc, grab a token and pop it in the slot to help keep Chatbus South operating in 10 Invercargill primary schools. A much needed and well used service for primary school students who would otherwise not be able to access counselling. Every little bit adds up.