On 28 March, some of our students were lucky enough to work with highly acclaimed motivational speaker Darren Pereira. Darren has inspired more than 500,000 students, staff and parents across seven countries over 20 years. He is passionate about working with teens, and the students loved their sessions with him.

Tuakana Session: Peer Support

In the Tuakana session, Darren equipped the students with practical skills to work effectively with their peers, with a particular focus on the Year 9 and Year 10 cohorts. The session underscored the essence of leadership through service and the power of actions over mere words.

Resilience was a key theme. Darren highlighted the importance of learning to bounce back quickly from adversity and develop mental toughness. Drawing an analogy to the ocean’s waves, he emphasised the importance of being prepared for life’s challenges, likening resilience to having effective shock absorbers and balance.

Year 9:  Step Up to Success

For Year 9 students, the focus was on the need for proactivity in order to succeed. The session encouraged a positive mindset, fostering genuine friendships through interest and smiles, and developing strong time management skills. The incorporation of music and an onsite DJ added an engaging element to the session.

Year 10:  Power to Persist

In addressing the Year 10 cohort, Darren Pereira spoke about tenacity and perseverance. He emphasised the importance of a growth mindset, learning from failures, and establishing positive habits. He also introduced the Habit Formation Tracker, available on the Year 10 Google Classroom, to aid in tracking progress and reinforcing good habits.

These sessions offered more than just insights and strategies. They opened doors for personal growth and development, empowering students to navigate their academic journey with resilience, positivity, and persistence.

Darren will be working with all other Year groups later in the year.