Speakers for Schools
"With any speaker or visitor I have never seen our students sit so still and listen intently. It's a testament to your story and messaging. "
- Teacher, Lutheran School Wagga
Resilience speakers for schools, Luke S. Kennedy
Resilience speakers for schools, Luke S. Kennedy
"Appreciate the talk yesterday. That one hit hard. Really inspirational thank you so much! Keep doing what you're doing."
- Instagram message from Yr9 Student, Redliffe
Speakers for students | Luke Kennedy
With the world as it is at the moment there's some pretty big issues with our youth. Whether it's primary schools or high schools the issues are wide-spread. There's a drop in confidence & resilience which has resulted in a big rise in anxieties and students feeling disconnected & lost. Thankfully though we're now realising that there needs to be some change and more of a focus on the individual.
I use the story of my heavy and harsh (I PG story and content for primary schools) upbringing to grab the students attention, respect & relatability, and then weave the messages of resilience, being yourself, motivation, authentic relationships, and detaching from labels and negative beliefs. It's working extremely well and it's a true blessing to receive all of the messages afterwards from the students detailing what they got out of the talk and th changes they're already making. We're all pieces of the puzzle so it's great to connect with teachers and organisers beforehand and discuss any specific incidents or topics they'd like me to put more of a focus on with with the students.
"After 20 years in education he's the best speaker I've heard."
- Teacher, Andrew Rigby
"They were absolutely gripped by his story and messages. It's created a tremendous shift and I'm so grateful."
-Jillian Shapiro, School Psychologist | Reddam House Sydney
"The impact you had on our year 4-6 was significant. They are still talking about it and we have seen a marked difference in the students being more ‘present’, particularly around adults."
- Donna Snow, Principal Wembley Primary
"Your talk has saved my life, I thought I was the only one with these thoughts. I thought I was crazy. I’m going to stop worrying what other people think and start being myself. Thank you again!"
- Yr 9 Student.
"...a great story that's told exceptionally well. It resonated with our attendees and has incurred a lot of follow up discussion. the enthusiasm of everyone to get a copy of your book was a testament to the inspiring theme and tone of your talk."
- CEO Mister Minit, Mark Rusbatch
Below is a short blog I wrote after speaking at Induna Juvenile Justice
"Brother, so much love. Thanks for that, it hit me deep" - Student from Induna Juvenile Justice
Started the year off with a very special motivational speakers for youth presentation. I was invited to speak at Induna School which is inside a juvenile justice centre. The centre is located south of Grafton which is only 2 and a half hours from my spot in Coolangatta. Being guest speakers for youth all across Australia, it's nice to be able to drive my own car to speak.
I was scheduled to speak with two separate groups for approx 70 minutes each.
I had to be on location at 8:30, so getting up at 4:45 on the Friday morning, I had brekky and took off for the drive.
I'm really working on my association to relationships and love, it's an area of my life that's a big focus for me and something I want to learn and improve on. People close to me know this, so I've been recommended some podcasts, books (grab a copy of mine here, YouTube clips, and other material.
Security is obviously pretty tight in a jail, so I had to get there extra early to ensure a smooth process.
I was shown to the office of the school where I met some guards, teachers, councilors and other beautiful people.
After chilling out for a bit, I was then introduced to the principal, Toni. Toni's welcoming smile was like a hug to the soul and after chatting to her about the young men at the centre, it was obvious now much she cared about them. She had been principal for many years so you can imagine the thibgs she's witnessed and been through. Our conversation was interrupted by her walky talky, and she had to leave the room.
I went back out into the office and got into the buzz of a Friday morning with the teachers. I overheard (ear wagged) some of the conversations about what was going on at the centre, and again, it was obvious now much these guys were invested in the young men in the centre.
I was then escorted (literally) to the gym where I was holding my talk. Walking through the outer grounds of the jail is a bit of an eye opener. Huge barbed wire fences and massive steel gates fencing in some young peeps. Walking around thinking, it's tough mot to be effected by it all. I've visited and spoken in jails (read here about my previous juvenile visit) in the past, and every time it gets me to the core. I spent a lot of my weekends in my late teens, visiting my boys in jail, and it was at a time where I was close to, and I thought I'd end up inside as well. I suppose visiting jails brings all of that back to me.
It was also tough to stay dry as the hot sun left me drenched in sweat. Walking into the gym/basketball hall where I was speaking, raised the heat even further.
Toni introduced me to a couple of other guards who then took me to the toilet before my talk.
Soon the young men came in, and some shook my hand, others ignored me, and a few just cruised in and nodded in my direction. Before any of my youth speakers talks, the audience doesn't really know who I am or why I'm there. Without knowing me, I don't get too warm of a welcome anyways, but speaking at a jail of youth justice centre, that welcome is even less of a warm one. And it's fair enough I suppose, I've gotta prove my worth.
Depending on the audience, the heaviness of my opening sentence varies. I mean as you could guess, my opening sentence is pretty watered down for my primary school talks as opposed to speaking to young men inside of a justice center. I had to hit them hard early and get their attention. I did just that, and soon a couple of the slumped down men were now seated straight up looking deep into my eyes. Those eyes didn't leave me for the duration of my talk, and I was delivering some heavy points with some colourful language. These guys I'm speaking to was my upbringing. I could see me and my boys in them. This allows me to get on their level, connect, and impact! After the talk, those that brushed me on the way in, came up, shook my hand, and gave me a bro hug.
The guards, teachers, and Toni all came up after and was super happy with the talk and we chatted about some of the young men.
We went to the office for morning tea and and chilled out before getting back into it. The second talk went just the same as the first, and after a lot of the young men asked about my book, the centre bought 40 of them for the school and teachers.
I thanked Toni wholeheartedly for giving me the opportunity to speak with her students, and thanked me back.
I couldn't of asked for a better start to my year, and I'm hoping to hear from those young men when they get out and start having a good go at life.
Luke S. Kennedy is Australia's Most Sought after motivational Speakers for schools, corporations and even prisons.
Do you have a group of kids that need a push in the right direction? Let Luke inspire your kids.