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Melbourne,

November 3, 2024 10:28 am

Suzanne Serra, mother of Massimo, aged 6, St Theresa’s PS

Firstly I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you for providing such an amazing course. Massimo has thoroughly enjoyed the course. Massimo is already asking when he can go back after this term finishes!

It has been so warming to see how excited Massimo is to attend your sessions and even more warming to see and hear the things he is taking away from the course. He often talks of not only the content of the course but also the friendships he has made. Such a credit to you and Ms Buckley.

Thank you again for all that you have done with Massimo – we are truly grateful to you.

Alison and David, parents of Amy aged 6, Westmeadows PS

“Amy thoroughly enjoyed attending the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass. Your style was very engaging and Amy enjoyed the games and role playing. While we do emphasise the importance of manners at home this has definitely been great reinforcement and has also given us some great ways to initiate conversations on how to deal with particular situations. Amy has seemed less stressed by situations that occur in the school yard and more confident in asserting herself. Even though we have had to travel a fair distance each week to attend the course we feel it was time well spent. Amy looks forward to joining in more Shine programs in the years to come. Thank you for putting together such a great program, we wish there were more like it on our side of town.”

Hamish, Isabel and Indianna, St James PS, Brighton

Our 6 year old thoroughly enjoyed the Junior Resiliance and Confidence Masterclass . Saturday quickly became her favourite day of the week . She loved the interaction and challenging content of this program and we have noticed a marked difference in her confidence , self belief and attitude towards issues or situations that previously would have been tricky for her to navigate .Thanks Melissa for such a wonderful program , we now have a 6 year old  who is armed with wonderful strategies for the classroom and the playground, and life in general!

We are all delighted !

Maria & Bryan, John age 5, Haileybury College

With both of our girls attending Shine’s 7-10 year old program, our son, John, was happy to have the opportunity to attend the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass.  He loved it from the very first day and was so excited to share what was covered in each class. From our perspective, it provided wonderful reinforcement of the life lessons and skills we teach in our home, but in a supportive and fun atmosphere with his peers.  From accepting defeat gracefully to using table manners, he was eager to share each of his lessons and practice them during the week.  Towards the end of the term I explained that since we are moving overseas his last class was quickly approaching. His response, “Mom, do you mean I will never get to go back to Shine ever in my whole life?”

Charlotte, mum of Jamie, Brighton Beach PS

“Thank you for running such a valuable course. Jamie Foulkes has really enjoyed the Resilience Master Class. He has learned how to act appropriately in challenging situations and has gained so much confidence with the help of Melissa.

Sarndra, Mum of James, Grade 1

“James’ initial reluctance to attend the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass was quickly dismissed after the first class.  He came out bouncing and beaming and said, “Can I come back here again tomorrow?”  We never looked back and he remained an eager participant throughout the course.  His retention of the core concepts underpinning each session has surprised us, and attribute this to the fun learning approach through games and role-play.  He largely tries to put concepts learnt into practice and has started recognising when he needs to modify his behaviour or response to a situation.  He will often say, “Miss Anderson would say….”.  This self-awareness has developed considerably since doing the course.  I wholeheartedly believe every child can benefit from what Longford and Fraser has to offer and have recommended it to many people and will continue to do so.

We are all looking forward to continue learning with Longford and Fraser.

Suzana Bishop, mum of Joshua, aged 6, St Leonards College

“I commend you for taking the initiative to create a resilience and confidence masterclass for young children. In a world most often ruled by me, mine and I, where self-expression can border lack of respect towards others, courses such as The Junior Resilience Masterclass no doubt contribute to a better world, where we (young and old) are reminded to act thoughtfully and kindly towards others.

We parents don’t always know the right words to say to prepare our children to deal with difficult situations such as bullying and the course also provided great notes allowing me to continue to reinforce the message at home. Just the other day, Joshua was upset with something I did and I encouraged him to tell me what was wrong with his ‘Assertive Hero voice’. Instantly his poise changed and he was able to look me in the eye and express his unhappiness in a healthy manner.

So thank you SHINE/Longford & Fraser for the outstanding program.

(Name withheld). Female student aged 6, Moorabbin PS

“The confidence and resilience masterclass is a precious gift for life. It has given my daughter the confidence to speak out in real life situations. She repeats the role-plays she has participated with in class before attending a party or hosting friends for a playdate. Knowing that its expected that good behaviour wins the day gives her the strength to follow through.

The realisation that she can simply say, ” Stop it, I don’t like it”, and it works has amazed her and she is using it endlessly with her younger sibling who is quite more the extravert and more active in character.

Sally & David Beaton, parents of Hannah, aged 6, Firbank

“We enrolled our daughter Hannah in the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass to provide her with another opportunity to improve her confidence, build emotional resilience and practice assertiveness. We are thrilled that during the course she has done all this and more! We admit to having had high expectations of SHINE Academy following our attendance at one of Melissa’s Information Sessions. However, we have been thoroughly impressed with SHINE Academy, the curriculum and staff. Hannah has absolutely loved the relaxed learning environment and looked forward to every class. She is eager to continue at SHINE in 2013 and we would, without hesitation, recommend the course to others.

Thank you Melissa for making it such a wonderful experience for Hannah. She is very much looking forward to continuing next year.

Nicole Bennett, mum of Byron, aged 6, Black Rock PS

“Our son Byron, aged 6 years old thoroughly enjoyed the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass.

He loved all the role-playing in different social situations, allowing him to understand about real life scenarios.

He learnt a lot about manners, being respectful and how to take “No” as an answer and not to get upset.

He built a healthy self-confidence, learning to use a big strong voice in public, which in turn got him the role as “Joseph” in the school play!

I will certainly send my second son to this course as I think it’s a course for life!

Thank you for everything.

Sylvia and Rob, parents of Kai, aged 5, Sandringham PS

“Kai really enjoyed the class and he always had lots of fun. We think the program was very well organised and professionally 
run by you and Miss Buckley. 
Thanks again for teaching Kai some skills for life. 
All the best for you and your team.

Peter Bainbridge, father of Mia, aged 6, Hawthorn West PS

“Our daughter Mia attended the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass with the Shine Academy at age 6 and half. The actual course was of great benefit to Mia. As a result of attending the class we have seen her grown in both confidence and her own character.   The classroom environment at Shine was exceptional. Melissa and the staff created a learning environment that was both challenging and engaging for Mia, and at the same time Mia found it a lot of fun! We would certainly recommend this course to other parents as something that can add a great deal of positive outcome and thinking for their kids.”

Valentina, Mother of Tom Jorgensen, Brighton Grammar School.

“Tom thoroughly enjoyed the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass, and very much looked forward to attending each week. He acquired some valuable interpersonal skills through engrossing and exciting class activities, and was keen to implement what he had learnt each week. He would often later recount what was taught and demonstrated in class and be smiling or even laughing whilst doing so, as it was taught in a manner, which absolutely engaged a boy of his age. We were delighted with both the teaching methods and broad curriculum, which encouraged Tom’s understanding of core values and his own self-awareness. What you teach are valuable learnings for life, and should be part of any child’s complete education.”

YewandeAdelaja, mother of Symone, St Margarets School, Berwick

Symone has been enjoying her ’emotions classes’ as she calls it. I have certainly observed a big reduction in her whining behaviours instead of using a speaking voice, attitude towards being the best in everything and winning every possible trophy in school. I cannot thank you enough for emphasising the same issues that we keep telling her at home. I guess coming from another adult, she is able to understand better that mum and dad are not just been mean for trying to get her to act like a 6 years old rather than a 2 or 3 years old.

Nick, father of Isabelle, 5, Beaumaris PS

“Isabelle thoroughly enjoyed the course and was eager to share what she had learnt after each session. The weekly handouts were a valuable insight into what was being covered and allowed us to go through some of the role-play scenarios to see how much she had taken in. We believe Isabelle has gained in self-confidence and has a better understanding of what behaviour is appropriate in certain situations. We will be considering enrolling her in further classes when she reaches the right age.

Thanks, once again for your hard work and probably see you again when Izzy hits the right age!

Aidan’s Mum, name withheld.

Thank you for the work you have done in the past 8 weeks, Aidan has enjoyed the sessions and I can see him applying it too. I appreciate the immense benefit of such learnings when introduced at the foundational age of a child, it helps go a long way in raising individuals who are assets to not only their families and friends but to society, community and the world at large.

Lee and Mark, Blackburn

Thank you once again Melissa for the wonderful work you do.  Our son, Sebastian attended your recent Resiliency Program and gained so much from it.  He is often a little nervous with activities and we were not sure how he would go with the class.  We need not have been concerned.  After his first lesson he walked out declaring “I loved it!”  After each class we witnessed the same enthusiasm.

Each week we also saw a new glimmer of confidence and knowledge growing in Sebastian which was such a pleasure to see.  Sebastian completed the program a few weeks ago now but is still talking how about how kind the teachers were and how much fun it was.  He also comes out with little pieces of wisdom we did not know he possessed.  Things to do with handling new situations, the difference in aggression and assertiveness, dealing with friends and so much more.  We cannot believe what a big impact a one term program has had on him.

We thank you so much once again for all your wonderful work with the children.  It is a much needed and appreciated task and one you do with such excellence.

Prue and Tom Mimi age 6

Our daughter, Mimi thoroughly enjoyed the Junior Resilience and Confidence Masterclass.  So much so that she skipped a birthday party and a day at the beach as she refused to miss a lesson.  That’s a testament to you and your team Melissa. Knowing how to engage young children, teaching them invaluable interpersonal skills and building a confidence that that will take them through life in the most fun way is extraordinary.  We feel very pleased to have been part of this course and look forward to sending Mimi to the next program when she gets a little older (she is already asking to come back).

Thank you.

Kate Wolkow, mum of Lily, aged 5, Altona Primary School

Our daughter Lily has always been quite reserved and shy and as parents we had been searching for something which we thought may help her to feel more capable when dealing with different situations. We have seen a dramatic improvement in Lily’s confidence levels and it was great to see this was also reflected in her school report received just this week. Feedback from Lily’s teacher has been extremely positive to the point where she actually asked if we had been doing anything differently (I explained that Lily had been attending the Shine Academy).

I am so pleased with the results and look forward to future classes that Lily may be suitable for.