Contact Enlighten Education New Zealand on 021 992 795 or 06 357 1267
New Zealand National Program Manager
Rachel Hansen
Master of Philosophy (Criminology), Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology) with First Class Honours (Psychology)
Contact Rachel: rachel@enlighteneducation.com
“Young women today live in a highly marketed, beauty-driven, fast-paced world. This is an exciting world, but one that is also very challenging. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to work with Enlighten. I love seeing the passion ignited in the girls as they realise their true worth and own beauty.”
Rachel is an accomplished educator and an engaging presenter with a real affinity for young women, who respond to her enthusiasm and humour. She has extensive experience in education, counselling and graduate recruitment.
In 2002 Rachel was the recipient of a Chevening Link scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge (UK). This scholarship is awarded to New Zealanders of outstanding merit. At Cambridge, Rachel completed a Masters thesis examining the needs of adolescent girls in custody. After completing her Masters, Rachel spent time coordinating the graduate recruitment program at an investment bank in the UK, working alongside the top European universities. She then began teaching senior high school psychology in London. She also taught Criminology at Cambridge University as part of The Oxbridge Academic Program, a summer school for high school students from around the world.
On returning home to New Zealand in 2006 Rachel worked as a high school guidance counsellor and sexuality education teacher, as well as a mentor for young women. Since becoming a mother in 2008, Rachel has become aware of the huge influence of the media and marketing on children. She is particularly passionate about the issue of the sexualisation of young people by the media and popular culture, and she often blogs on issues affecting young women.
* Enlighten Education New Zealand is independently owned and operated by Rachel Hansen.
Presenter
Meredith Tourell
Contact Meredith: meredith@enlighteneducation.com
“Standing in front of a bunch of teens is one of my favourite things to do and I know that I must be real and authentic. It’s such a privilege to work with the future adults of the world, may they grow to be strong, healthy and proud of who they are.”
Meredith has been a presenter/facilitator for the past 15 years; her primary focus has been life skills and accelerated learning for eight to eighteen year-olds. In one way or another, Meredith has been speaking and performing in front of audiences for the past 30 years and feels completely at ease “on stage”.
Aged 14, a life-skills workshop sparked Meredith’s interest in self-development and from there she embarked on a journey of both personal and professional discovery. She knew from that point that she would have a career with young people. Having worked with teenagers from around the world, Meredith’s diversity of experience allows her clients to benefit from her knowledge of youth culture.
Meredith is trained in Accelerated Learning, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Group Dynamics, Outdoor Challenge Training and Communication and has a wide variety of skills to suit many audiences from young to the more mature. She is passionate about people learning effectively and reaching their goals easily, and ensures an ecological approach to transference of learning. Meredith is married, has two school-aged children and lives in Auckland.
* Enlighten Education New Zealand is independently owned and operated by Rachel Hansen.
Enlighten Education is proud to be a part of the transformation process in the following schools
- Aquinas College, Tauranga
- Baradene College, Auckland
- Chilton Saint James School, Lower Hutt, Wellington
- Christchurch Girls’ High School, Christchurch
- Columba College, Dunedin
- Craighead Diocesan, Timaru
- Forest View High School, Tokoroa
- Heretaunga College, Upper Hutt
- Iona College, Havelock North
- Kuranui College, Greytown
- Matamata Intermediate, Matamata
- Mount Maunganui College, Mount Maunganui
- Nga Tawa Diocesan School, Marton
- Onehunga School, Auckland
- Oranga School, Auckland
- Otumoetai College, Tauranga
- Pinehurst School, North Shore, Auckland
- Queen Margaret College, Wellington
- Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Christchurch
- Rangitikei College, Marton
- Reporoa College, Waikato
- Roncalli College, Timaru
- Rotorua Lakes High School, Waikato
- Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, Wellington
- Selwyn House, Christchurch
- Spotswood College, New Plymouth
- St Andrew’s College, Christchurch
- St John The Evangelist School, Otara, Auckland
- St Margaret’s College, Christchurch
- Tararua College, Pahiatua
- Tauranga Girls’ College, Tauranga
- Tauranga Intermediate, Tauranga
- Tauroroa Area School, Whangarei
- Te Papapa School, Onehunga, Auckland
- Timaru Girls High School, Timaru
- Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, Hamilton
- Waitaki Girls’ High School, Oamaru
- Wellington Girls’ College, Wellington
- Woodford House, Havelock North
Testimonials From Local Schools
This is a truly fantastic programme for our girls. We have not only been able to see the long term benefits of the programme but have also managed to keep the momentum of the programme going throughout the year and from my discussions with our Year 13 girls they still remember their Enlighten day (in 2009) and highlight this day as something very valuable. As a result of this programme we have made up our Own GirlRule card building on from the statement NO GIRL GETS LEFT BEHIND. We have also had very positive feedback from community police about this card.
Jane Dickie
Rangi Ruru Girls' School, Christchurch
This day met all my hopes and more for a dynamic paradigm shifting experience for our girls to have empowering alternative options away from the dominant discourses in which to position themselves. I intend to propose it as a regular event for Year 9.
Trish Jane, Guidance Counsellor
Baradene College, Auckland
The workshop was perfect. So interactive and valuable. The feedback received has all been positive, from staff, students and parents. This is something all young people should be a part of. Many many thanks for all the time and effort that went into such superb preparation and research.
Holly Payne, Year 10 Dean
Queen Margaret College, Wellington NZ
Rachel was a wonderful facilitator. She is such a strong role model for our students and shared a lot of her own story which had huge impact on the students. Rachel is extremely well qualified and I could have spent HOURS talking with her about the issues that are facing teenage girls in 2011. She is up to the minute with a thorough understanding of what’s going on for them. Her energy and enthusiasm were quite something, she gave the day her all. I truly appreciate all she did for the students at St Margaret's College in what has been a difficult year. She helped our Year 9s finish 2011 on a high note!
Deb Lean
St Margaret's College, Christchurch NZ
The workshops were delivered very professionally and you had the ability to capture each group very well. The students were fully engaged throughout the workshop and all involved and interested which was a credit to your presentation. They loved the diaries and in particular having the chance to write in other people’s dairies then in turn reading their own. Valuable lessons about thinking positive thoughts about themselves.
Wendy Carol, Dean of Middle School
Samuel Marsden Collegiate, Wellington
We are very glad the student feedback is so good. We have had some emails from parents saying their girls really enjoyed it. We look forward to those far reaching impacts, which I am sure, will come. Your enthusiasm was fantastic; your energy enviable. Look forward to working with you again!
Kiri Gill, Deputy Principal
Heretaunga College, Upper Hutt
Rachel set a great scene and her enthusiasm was infectious. The girls loved her and she was real. I enjoyed being part of the day and have reignited my passion for girls issues particularly around body image. We are sooo much more than a number, eg. weight, body measurement, dress size, etc.
Kate Casey, Guidance Counsellor
Pinehurst School, North Shore
It was a fantastic programme delivered in a relaxed, interesting way. The students took on board the information given and some made an effort to change some of their negative behaviours. I would recommend this programme for other schools and would love to do this again next year.
Rachel Rowe, Year 9 & 10 Dean
Reporora College, NZ
Thank-you Kelly. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. After reading the evaluations and speaking to the students they obviously gained so much from them. Kelly was an excellent facilitator and the students responded well to her bubbly personality. Kelly was thoroughly professional in her dealings with the school and the students. We would warmly welcome her back in the school in the future to take more sessions.This was definitely a highlight of the term for the Year 10 girls.
Bev McLean
Spotswood College, New Zealand
This was a fantastic experience for the girls in our school. Four weeks after the event, at a Year-10 parent evening, parents were still commenting on how pleased they were that their daughters had this opportunity. Twenty-one days after the Enlighten Team were in our school the Year-10 group had a morning session; we focused this on Girl Caught and made a Wall of Fame and Wall of Shame. We also had cakes in the shape of butterflies to remind us to celebrate the beauty within us all. Throughout the year we will continue to carry on the themes discussed during the Enlighten program. Not only has this been helpful for Year 10 as a whole it has also given us ideas for working with girls higher up in the school. The saying 'No girl gets left behind' has been something we have discussed with Year 11-13. We have also highlighted to the girls as whole the influence of the media and being vigilant about the pressure and ideas they are trying to sell. You are a consumer and therefore have power by not buying magazines, etc., that portray women in a negative light.
Jane Dickie, Guidance Counsellor
Rangi Ruru, Christchurch, NZ
I had the pleasure of seeing an up-to-date, relevant, fun, engaging and motivating program. The girls were engaged and into the whole day which is saying something. I gained a great refreshing way of interacting with my girls in the boarding house that I will be able to use immediately and every day, how great is that! You women rock, keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing it all again sometime!
Tonya Low, Boarding House Manager
St Margaret's College, Christchurch, NZ
From the sessions I observed and from the follow-up discussion with the girls, I feel this was an excellent program to be involved with. The presenters were passionate, engaging and appealing, and their relevant yet down-to-earth approach enabled a fantastic impact at both year levels. The girls' feedback says it all!
Chris Wyeth, Associate Principal
St Margaret's College, Christchurch, NZ
