Subject: Thank You to Lane Cove Rotary

Dear Ron,

After a long wait the anti-bullying program that Rotary Lane Cove so kindly donated to ran at Chatswood High School on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 of September. The partnership created between Rotary Lane Cove, 2Realise and Lane Cove Council Youth Services meant the whole of year 7 at Chatswood High School were able to participate in the program.

Over two days/4 sessions were run so that every student in year 7 could attend a Project Hero Workshop facilitated by ID-ologies. As outlined on their website Project Hero is designed to unite and empower students utilising a combination of learning strategies covering the different types of learning styles. They do not lecture. They engage participants in an innovative experiential ‘Hero’s Journey’ of storytelling and discovery that enhances communication skills, awakens a sense of community and encourages a greater appreciation of diversity. Using techniques that create empathy and teach strategies to triumph over tough times, we encourage the journey towards self-discovery to unfold. As participants gain clarity as to their strengths and natural abilities, they gain a stronger sense of identity which builds confidence and enhances decision making capabilities. The key outcomes of this workshop are to build a sense of connectedness and appreciation of diversity, positively impacting outcomes by increasing performance and decreasing absenteeism and disengagement. I went along to the first of the workshops at Chatswood High School and was overwhelmed at how the young people’s attitudes seemed to change in just a few minutes of being in the room. The young people watched as flowers from a beautiful bouquet of flowers where cut with gardening shears for being too short, too tall, too pink, too smelly, two blue. The young people identified that this is what we as a society do to each other we cut people off for being different. The activities throughout the day empowered the young people to make change and to have confidence. The difference that Project Hero made in the lives of the young people who were able to attend these sessions can only be demonstrated through their own words. The following quotes are taken directly from the feedback forms from the students who participated in the program at Chatswood High School last week:

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: it allowed me to express my feelings to all in the room.

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: It encouraged me to make a change and stand up for myself and others.

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: it helped me stop bullying others.

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: it taught me about how one action can change someone’s life.

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: It can make me better because a lot of people bully me.

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: It encouraged me to think positively about myself.

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: I realized it is okay to have a voice.

Project Hero made a difference in my life because: It helped me realize how important it is to respect others for who they are.

I would describe the experience of participating in PROJECT HERO as: an amazing, fun, fantabolicious, cool, enriching, interesting experience.

I would describe the experience of participating in PROJECT HERO as: a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I would describe the experience of participating in PROJECT HERO as: Thought changing and an experience that opened my eyes to the world.

I would describe the experience of participating in PROJECT HERO as: loving and warm. It made me feel happy.

I would like to make the following suggestions, comments or observations: Please keep doing this! It was great! I loved it!

I would like to make the following suggestions, comments or observations: I think Project Hero was definitely NOT a regret. I believe it was fantastic. THANK YOU!

I am not sure if you saw the article in the Daily Telegraph yesterday but it was reported that according to Department of Education statistics, two school children per week in NSW are self harming or threatening to injure themselves as a result of bullying and mental health problems. It is statistics like these that demonstrate just how important programs, like the one we have just been able to run, are in educating young people in our area on the effect bullying is having on their peers and to empower the bullied to triumph over tough times.  So a big Thank You Rotary Lane Cove for being a part of this project.

Kind regards,

Jayme-Ann Demeny

Community Development Officer - Youth Services, Lane Cove Council