Comments from some recent Yr 7 students:
BETH: I have gained more confidence and achieved my goal of knowing how to create and deliver an excellent speech. It was relaxed and we were all part of each session and had our say. I really liked how they didn’t just tell us but showed us what to do or not do, using examples. The biggest challenges were getting out of the habit of saying ‘um’, and trying to present a reasonable speech ‘off the cuff’. I think that I will now include my peers or people I’m working with more when I’m leading. The course should not be changed at all – it was awesome!
DALE: I have become more confident in my speaking in front of a crowd. I enjoyed this learning experience, and making new friends along the way. In future, I will have confidence to run for a higher leadership position as I now have the courage to speak in front of people. This course was fun and most enjoyable.
EMMA: I have achieved better speaking and speech-making skills. This included better eye contact and hand movements when speaking. I am nowhere near as nervous when I am getting ready to speak now. I was challenged at first when talking to the group, as I didn’t know everyone. It’s great to feel better about speaking in front of people, and the sessions have made me a much better leader.
RYAN: I can now speak with much more confidence in public, and am also much better at answering off the cuff questions. However, I really enjoyed delivering my prepared speeches. Altogether, I become better and better each session at the skills I needed. I think that I will now be a better role model, because of what I have learned about leadership.
NICK: When I came into this course, I was hopeless when it came to speaking, but now that I have completed it, I can deliver a full speech easily! I loved meeting new people as we worked together. Doing speeches was difficult at first, but by working on the main skills, I became much better.
JARED: I am sure that I have become a more confident speaker and a better listener and leader. I have learned that a leader does not just take full control over everyone, but encourages others, and is also a positive role model. What I enjoyed most about this course was the friendly interaction between everyone, and the fun that we had while learning leadership and speech skills.
It wasn’t easy to get rid of the ums and ahs, but I did. I also improved my eye contact. As a result of these weekly sessions, I know that I will be come a much better positive role model. I also have the ability to speak to a crowd with great confidence. I wouldn’t change anything in this course – it was great!
JAEDON: This speaking and leadership course has given me one hundred and one boosts on my people skills and courage. I really enjoyed the course, especially enjoying the new people I met and got to know. One area of challenge for me was actually writing the speeches – I wasn’t really great at it, and would put it off sometimes. As a result of this course, I have changed my attitude towards work, towards people and towards the environment. The only recommendation I have for this course is that anyone who does the course should take everything that the facilitators show and tell us on board.
TAHLIA: Completing this course has helped me to write a well-structured speech, how to use emotion in my speeches, and how to achieve the qualities of a leader.
Everyone was very friendly and easy to get along with. It made learning enjoyable. Probably the most challenging thing for me was getting up early on Saturday mornings to be there by 9.30 am. Some changes I will make now will be that I won’t be as selfish and will think about what other people want, not just what I want. I recommend that people come to this course, as you’ll learn lots.
HANNAH: I think that I succeeded in being able to speak confidently in front of a crowd. I liked trusting the rest of the groups and having them trust me. It made me feel comfortable and not as shy as I usually am. I found it quite a challenge to write my own speeches and getting up on stage to deliver them at first. I know that in the future, I will be more considerate and confident in leading a large or small group.
Bill Farman, President & CEO, Vantage Innovation , July 2007, says: I recently worked with a group of year 12 students at Mount Lilydale Mercy College in the preparation and presentation of a business plan. Two of the students had previously participated in the year 7 Youth Leadership program that you presented. If these two students are representative, then the key teachings from the Youth Leadership program stick like glue and offer the students long-lasting benefits. These two students stood out within the group as being clearly more confident and competent in speaking to large groups. The boys express an air of confidence when standing to speak, but most importantly, I have been most impressed with how well they structure their thoughts. It is such a pleasure to see the results of your program in action and to know that the students gain real benefits - not just in the short term but throughout their whole senior school years and, no doubt, beyond. Keep up the great work!
Professor Brian Caldwell, Managing Director, Educational Transformations Pty Ltd and former Dean of Education, University of Melbourne (1998-2004), recommends the program, saying: One of the very best things my father did during my school days was to encourage me to learn how to speak in public. I have had a range of leadership appointments and the confidence I gained in those earlier years has helped me in countless ways. I am grateful for my father’s support and the coaching I received from those who had the skills and the patience to guide me.
Magda Pisotek, Year 7 Coordinator and teacher of Mathematics and Religious Education at Mount Lilydale Mercy College, recommends this course to other schools, based on six years of observation of students participating in the program: I highly recommend this course - definitely. It provides so many features and benefits not only for the students but the school. The students’ attitude alters to a more positive approach to learning. They experience success. Students see a purpose and have a definite vision. There is greater encouragement and praise of each other. They have better communication skills generally and in writing and delivering speeches. It changes their outlook for the future and each student’s learns to self evaluate.
Oh, before I go I would just like to thank-you for the time and effort that you and Penny gave the group every Saturday just to come out here and teach us more about speaking in public. It has been a great experience. I loved it. Mikayla, Year 7
At the start of the day, I was nervous and embarrassed but by the end of the day Geoff and Penny made me confident to do speeches and show emotion. Shannessy, Year 6
Penny and Geoff helped us to improve in our skills of being a good student leader. They helped us with the way to show respect to others when you’re talking and listening. Mark, Year 7
We learnt that we can show lots of enthusiasm. I really feel that it was a privilege for them to come just for us. Nina, Year 6
Our leadership students were at a leadership course with Penny and Geoff. We had so much fun. We made speeches and read them in front of the other leaders. Penny and Geoff helped us to be more confident. Thank you. Chelce, Year 6
I learnt how to project my voice so everyone can hear me. I also learnt to put emotion and expression in my voice to make people interested. The leadership book built up our confidence. Matthew, Year 6
Here's a really interesting story from The Buis family:
We first experienced this program in 2002. Our eldest child, Samantha, thoroughly enjoyed attending and we believe the program increased her confidence in public speaking. In 2003 Sam joined the debating team. In 2005 our second child, Emma, commenced year 7, and Samantha advised her to participate in the program. Emma also enjoyed it and is involved in the college debating team. In 2007, our third daughter, Jaymie, began at the college and Sam and Emma both recommended the program. Jaymie has followed in her sisters' footsteps and recently completed the course. She has also joined the debating team. All the girls have confidence in presenting orals in class and we feel the program encouraged the development of this vital skill.
