The idea of ‘The Butterfly Effect’ comes from the science of chaos theory. It suggests that everything is connected, to the extent that the beating of a butterfly’s wings in one part of the world may ultimately contribute to a tornado happening in another part of the world. We recognise that when it comes to the impact we as individuals have on our environment, small changes can make a huge difference. Enlighten is about celebrating, challenging and changing ourselves and our world.

Choose 1 core and up to 4 of our other workshops, all workshops are adjusted to ensure they are age appropriate.

Core workshops:

LOVE THE SKIN YOU’RE IN

Negative stereotyping, sexism, media images, the fixation on being thin, these are all issues today’s girls are facing. In this workshop we encourage girls to critically evaluate the messages that bombard them every day and develop strategies that help them respond intelligently and objectively.

Or

WAKE UP SLEEPING BEAUTY

Rediscovering the Princess within…little girls believe they can be whatever they would like to be, be friends with whoever amuses them, let people know when they are being annoyed, and eat whatever tastes delicious – when did the rules change and why have we let things become so complex? This workshop challenges girls to reconnect with their core values and beliefs and helps them remember just how truly special they are.

Then select 4 from:

STYLE FILE

Girls will be introduced to a variety of fashion styles, and will be encouraged to define their own style. Girls will then discover practical, fun and affordable ways to achieve their selected fashion style. Customising, bargain buying and fashion ethics, are all featured in this workshop. The real focus here, as in Get the Look Right, is on using mediums the girls are comfortable with (fashion and make up) to instigate important conversations about the labels we place on ourselves and each other – not just literally, but figuratively.

BE A DOLLAR DIVA

Saving money, mobile phone plans, credit cards, business plans…..all savvy girls need to know how to manage their finances. This workshop teaches girls how to be cash smart and how to avoid financial pitfalls.

GET IT TOGETHER

Managing time, prioritising, organising your space and your work, problem solving, thinking creatively: these are all skills that help improve performance at school and in the workplace. This workshop focuses on developing these skills and on learning to use them to your advantage.

STOP, I DON’T LIKE IT

Every girl is concerned about her personal safety. Setting personal boundaries, safe partying, handling inappropriate text messages, managing conflict and using the internet safely: all areas that can be so dangerous for impressionable and vulnerable young girls. This workshop focuses on what’s right and what’s not right and how to tell the difference.

THE PRINCESS DIARIES

Girls will create their own journals in which they can reflect and reshape their futures… this workshops also allows for informal conversations about things that really matter to the girls and uses art as therapy. The finished journals are beautiful and powerful “ take aways” from our events. All materials are supplied.

CHILL OUT

Relaxation, visualisation techniques, massage and more.
Learning how to manage stress effectively is essential for our modern lives. Relying on crutches like alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or other unhealthy behaviours is destructive and wasteful. In this workshop we encourage girls to seek balance in their lives and teach them some skills to achieve it. We also teach skills to help them cope with exam and assessment pressure to help enhance performance. These strategies are fun, affordable, and will fit into any girl’s hectic lifestyle.

FOREVER FRIENDS

Research tells us that friends are more important to teenagers than their parents or teachers. How do we make friends? Who should we make friends with? How should friendships be maintained? How do we decide if a friendship is helping or harming us? This workshop addresses these  issues and equips the girls with the necessary skills to make safe, important decisions about their friendships.

Student feedback for this event:

“It was truly valuable and so great to hear. Love yourself (not a bad thing), believe you are beautiful and then you are, be organised, be aware of everything around you.” Bella.

“I loved all of it! It inspired me in so many ways and taught me a lot – be proud  of who you are, don’t change your image because your friends do, be what you want  to be – I had fun – seriously!” Anon, Yr8.

“I learnt we are all beautiful and we can’t look like models as it is not even real,  we need to have our own style and love the skin we are in and smile because it is  our ultimate accessory!” Georgia, Yr8.

“At the end, Fran really added meaning to my day and woke me up from my superficial life. I learnt to love myself and appreciate that there are more important things to worry about. Thanks for giving me something genuine to think about and live life with.” Tulz.

“Honestly I expected it to be what I hear all the time concerning self image(it wasn’t)! I now know I’m a princess and my voice can make a difference, I really learnt about myself. 1.7 billion thank yous!” Sophia.

"My favorite part was the friends affirmation session. I don’t think we tell our friends how much they mean to us yet the value in doing this is important for all of us. I learnt we can be self destructive and how much there is we can do to build ourselves and those around us up. The media is playing a big part in this problem… we are all beautiful. Continue doing what you are doing! This is a message that EVERY GIRL needs to hear! Thanks so much." Claire.

“I actually thought it was going to be really pathetic and cheesy but it wasn’t at  all! I loved hearing Danni’s story – she is a really inspiring person, and I loved  the final meditation. I learnt to love and accept myself, that breathing patterns  do work to calm me down – so much really! Thank you!” Penny.

“I thought it would be just another chat about self esteem but it wasn’t at all! I really enjoyed every aspect of the day; from style tips, to the real ideas behind cosmetics, right down to the relaxation techniques. I learnt to be happy with who I am, to love ourselves and that it’s not what we wear, but how we wear it! It’s women like you who girls should aspire to become. Thank you.” Linda.

“My favourite part of today was everything. All of it really helped me and helped me understand I’m not going crazy!! Thank you! Thank you so much. You changed my life and outlook on life. I love you.” Shawnee.

“I loved this so much! Best ever; so helpful and uplifting! Thank you© I bawled my eyes out at all of the beautiful things my friends said in “Forever Friends” and I felt really good about myself in “Love the Skin you’re in” Rhiannon.

“I have an eating disorder and Enlighten Education made me want to do something about it. I learnt that I am precious. I LOVE Storm muchly!” Anon.

“I love this programme LOVE IT This was a great day filled with new things to learn. Storm is a beautiful person-she inspired me. Thank you.” Georginna B.

“I thought it would be one of those cheesy “you’ve got to boost your self esteem” programs but it wasn’t. I liked the bit where we realised how fake everything out there really is, I liked how GENUINE this was. You taught me there are many girls just like me, that there are women out here who take the time and care about us, and that all of us are special. Thank you VERY much.“ Epitna.

“ The best part was getting all the affirmation cards as they reassure me about me, thank you for convincing me that I am who I am.” Marina.

“I loved being able to strengthen a friendship with a friend I thought I had lost. I have struggled since I was 6 with weight and body image but yesterday, I felt healed and ready to get even more healed. I haven’t eaten for a week in an attempt to be beautiful and now I know that this is not even important. You guys have helped me greatly!” Katia.

"My favourite part was Love The Skin You’re In because I have always felt this and I am now truly inspired. I learnt that people actually think I’m nice. You will hear from me again." Emma.

"I thought it would be good but I didn’t know it was going to be fantastic like this. My favourite part was all of it but Chill Out was a great relaxation time for me. You have inspired me. I loved every bit of it and you are a role model to me!" Brittany.

"I am more than I think I am. I am thought of as a beautiful person by others. I am an Amazon warrior and I am perfect the way I am." Madeline.

"I thought today would be an old granny talking about boring stuff. My favourite part was Girl World because we wrote positive things about others and it made me feel good. I learnt how to deal with fights, that it doesn’t matter how we look, don’t pretend to be someone else (who you aren’t), that it isn’t all about what other people think and to be confident about yourself. I had a great day and I will miss you." Summer, Yr 6.

"I liked everything but the best bit was the part where we had to write about someone because I really expressed my feelings. I learnt that I am special, I am a warrior, I look beautiful the way I am, to respect others and to love yourself but don’t overdo it. I loved it. I wish Enlighten came to our school everyday." Laura.

"I thought it would be mushy and patronizing. But the stories and finding our inner amazon were great. Bring it on! It makes you feel great! This has been an amazing experience. Even if you are confident it makes your life seem that much better." Michaela.

"I loved listening to what Sonia had to say. She was very interesting, cool and I loved what she told us. I now know I should love myself, that I have an amazing warrior women and WHAT MAKES A WOMAN BEAUTIFUL IS THE BELIEF THAT SHE IS BEAUTIFUL. I wish I could do this more. I had a great time. Thank you!" Amelia

"This was the bestest thing I’ve ever been to and you’re an amazing person and I love you! I loved it when you told us to love ourselves because that’s the hardest thing for a girl." Kirsty. 

"I didn’t think today would be that good but I learnt heaps and I started to love it just after 5 minutes." Bridget.

"I thought it would be all girly and stupid but it was the BEST! I learnt to be nicer to myself and others." Imogen.

 "I loved how Danni really understood what she was saying and she enjoys what she does. She believes it. All of it! I learnt to love myself, how to be positive, how to say Stop and to not feel self conscious. It was truly wonderful. I loved it." Lara. 

"When I walked in I instantly thought “this is going to be good”. What Danni said was so true and she really helped and made me feel great. When I walked in I knew I was in good hands. I learnt that I am strong (and I really feel it now), that I am beautiful the way I am, that I am loved and that nothing can stop me feeling great! Thanks so much!" Chantal.

"I thought it was going to be one of those boring classes where we sit and they talk about things I’m not very interested in. Danni was SO funny. It’s nice to have someone who can tell us personal experiences to make it easier for us to understand how they relate to us." Hannah.

"My favourite part was when we had our sessions with Danni because she completely inspired me and she is a great teacher and very gorgeous. I learnt that I am pretty and to always be positive about myself. Today was the BEST excursion I’ve ever had." Anjali.

“Luved it . I honestly didn’t have a clue what today was gonna be. It was a beautiful surprise. I learnt that I am precious and that your beautiful the way you are.” Anne T.

“Storm you are best!! I thought all of the activities were great! I loved them. You’re the best Storm!!I didn’t believe today would be as interesting and inspirational as it was.” Linn Le.

“This was a great activity and I really enjoyed it. Every teenager would as well. I learnt that every one is beautiful and that it’s ok to be different. We are all butterflies and it takes time to grow up, so don’t rush.” Maddie.

 

 

 


Click on this link to download a "Butterfly Effect and Girl Essentials Information Kit for schools."