Chatbus South

23/06/2026

Continuing with the 'Power of PAUSE' model invitations from the Self-leadership Collaborative that was shared below on May 12th/2026.

Using a template like this one, is a start of role modelling a way of communicating with your children (and others in general) that represents what's happening for you inwardly with what's going on outwardly. This role modelling with your children invites them to do the same over time. It supports understanding one another more clearly which helps connection especially when stressful emotions and environments are present or expected.

This could sound something like:
"Part of me feels concerned when you .... because I need to know I can trust you with..."

Structure:
"Part of me feels / thinks / notices ...
"When (give a non-blaming description of the problem)...
"because I (positive intent or need you have)...

Here is an example of a visual body / thoughts / feelings scan the SLC encourage you do before communicating. When your children start to do this as well, there is space that opens up between communicating that automatically self-regulates the brain while in stress.

09/06/2026

Chatbus South is delighted to host a special Gala Evening on Friday, 25th September.

We are thrilled to announce Gilbert Enoka as our guest speaker for the evening. Gilbert is internationally renowned for his 23-year tenure with the All Blacks, where he served as a mental skills coach and manager during the highly successful Richie McCaw era, and he has recently been re-contracted to work with the team again in 2026. His elite performance expertise also includes consulting for Chelsea Football Club and the New South Wales State of Origin team, as well as authoring the book Become Unstoppable.

With his extensive background in psychology, education, and performance science, Gilbert will share invaluable insights on building resilience, performing under pressure, and fostering a culture of excellence. His leadership lessons are highly transferable and deeply relevant to both professional and personal success.

Event Details
Date: Friday, 25 September 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM | Event begins at 6:30 PM

Venue: Ascot Park Hotel

Inclusions: Two-course meal, keynote presentation from Gilbert Enoka, and a live Q&A session.

Entertainment: Live music by D&M Duo

👉 Click Here to Book Your Tickets via Humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/chatbus-south

About Chatbus South
All proceeds from this gala directly support Chatbus South, a registered charitable organisation providing free counseling services to primary school children who otherwise would not have access to mental health support.

Since launching in 2021 with just five schools, one mobile van, and a single counselor, we have expanded to support 10 schools and hundreds of tamariki (children) across Invercargill. Our two counsellors help children navigate anxieties, stress, and emotional challenges, equipping them with lasting coping strategies for the future.

Thank you for helping us champion the wellbeing of our youth. We look forward to a fantastic evening of networking and inspiration.

Buy Tickets on Humanitix - ChatBus South hosted by ChatBus South. Ascot Park Hotel, 41 Racecourse Road, Ascot, Invercargill 9871, New Zealand. Friday 25th September 2026. Find event information.

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.