"As discussed during your Wembley tour I’d be very keen to get you back for a teacher and parent session if possible – either August or if you return later in the year.
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
"We had Luke at our school for our grade 4/5/6 children and their parents. Luke presented an honest account of his life and how he managed to turn this around, even after many setbacks. While our children in Beechworth have fairly sheltered lives there were many great messages for our children. I had very good feedback from the parents. I only wish I had of opened up the night to the wider community. An excellent true and raw account of a life changed for the better with positive self talk.
Three parent messages I received after the presentation were:
"It was great, Eli keeps talking about it." - Parent
"I wish I had of brought my older daughters" - Parent
"Great job. Tonight was great." - Parent
"Thank you so much, a great night, I will be passing Luke's name onto my sons secondary school." - Parent
Luke thank you so much. I will look at getting you again for the community of Beechworth."
- Teacher Katherine Hancock.
"You were guest speaker today at my son's school, Beckenham Primary. I just picked him up and it's obvious you made a real impression on him. He said it gave him a whole new perspective. Thank you."
- Parent
"Hi Luke, I'm from Blaxland East and I would like to tell you my story. I have very bad anxiety and I always feel down on myself. I'm always sad and I don't want to go to school but when I heard your story I thought and I realised that you got through it so I can too. You really inspired me. Thanks and good luck in your gym and I hope you help other kids by telling them your story."
- Year 5 student
"I went around to the student's this morning and all students had such positive thing's to say. Most were able to connect with your stories and a lot had said that they have learnt the importance of self love and acceptance.
I really felt the vibe shift from some of our more troubled students when I sat and spoke with them. They were able to reflect on their friendships and not such good choices they have made in the past.
Thank you again for the amazing talk!
- Teacher & Wellbeing Mentor Fairvale Primary, Tamara Marjanac.
"Thank you again for coming to our school, we truly appreciate it. Everyone seems to have taken a lot out of your presentation.
Some key elements everyone liked:
that you connected on the 3 levels, with students, staff and parents - so that everyone was on the same page. Parents said it was a lot easier to start discussions with their children around the topics at home because they had their own session.
Everyone loved you and how open you were about your life & sharing how you turned your life around
They said you were a fantastic speaker, very inspirational - who engaged really well with the audience.
The one main message most got from your talk was to be true to your own authentic self and to manage your own self care."
- Parent & organiser of event, Kelly O'Neill
"Hey Luke, just want to say thanks again for making the effort to come all the way to Corowa! I have spoken to a few of the parents that came to the Monday night event and they all thoroughly enjoyed it and took many positives away from it. Speaking with my students today after the student talk, they took in more than I expected which is amazing! I know I will be making some small changes too! Thanks again"
- Teacher, Corowa Primary
Luke S. Kennedy spoke to our Year 6-10 boys and their parents at an Empowering Boys night. From the minute he started each and every one of them was completely captivated with shock and humour by each story.
However, most importantly everyone one of them left that night with a better understanding of who they are and how to handle the challenges life can throw at you.
- D. Wearne
Student Growth, Northern Beaches Christian School.
- Kevin Anderson MP
Member for Tamworth
Dear Luke
I write to sincerely thank you for your personal presentation to the year 9 students from across the Tamworth Electorate. Your journey so far, is an incredible one and it was astonishing to watch a large group of year 9 students totally focused, wide eyed with an occasional gasp during your presentation.
They are young and impressionable and you certainly connected with them.
It was powerful, sharp, raw, and thought provoking. It cut through the white noise of general advice to young people regarding the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and the battles of self esteem.
The feedback has been strong, positive, and I firmly believe life changing in some instances. Your Facebook responses clearly indicate that your story has had a positive impact.
I thank you again for what you do and I sincerely hope that we can work together again soon. Our young people need you!
Yours sincerely
Kevin Anderson MP
Member for Tamworth
- Mary Koutras
Lyndale Secondary
Guest Speaker, Luke S. Kennedy, presented to our students from years 8-12. From start to finish, the students sat intrigued and captivated by what Luke had to say. The topics of changing your mind-set, bullying, self-bullying, drug-addiction, alcohol and crime were all covered and clearly a hot topic amongst our teenagers. The presentation had all students and staff engaged and you could almost hear a pin drop. Some comments made afterwards from our feedback forms included the words “thought-provoking and behaviour-changing, eye-opening and a wake-up call”. Serious topics but delivered with simple words, a sense of humour and a positive outlook. Motivational Speakers such as Luke Kennedy should be an inclusion in every school curriculum planning. Highly recommended!
- Screenshot of Parent Conversation on Schools FB page
- Katherine Hancock
Teacher, Beechworth Primary
"We had Luke at our school for our grade 4/5/6 children and their parents. Luke presented an honest account of his life and how he managed to turn this around, even after many setbacks. While our children in Beechworth have fairly sheltered lives there were many great messages for our children. I had very good feedback from the parents. I only wish I had of opened up the night to the wider community. An excellent true and raw account of a life changed for the better with positive self talk.
Three parent messages I received after the presentation were:
"It was great, Eli keeps talking about it." - Parent
"I wish I had of brought my older daughters" - Parent
"Great job. Tonight was great." - Parent
"Thank you so much, a great night, I will be passing Luke's name onto my sons secondary school." - Parent
Luke thank you so much. I will look at getting you again for the community of Beechworth."
Year 10 Student, Blakehurst High
"Hey mate you spoke at my school today, it was so good to hear from a person who felt how I feel sometimes. I feel like people are always judging me and I'm scared of what they think. I'm in the middle of reading your book. I don't normally read books but I'm really interested in this book. You have made me think: :Who cares about what other people think of me? Just be me." All afternoon I've been telling Mum and Dad about your speech today. Thanks heaps, you've really touched me!"
- J. Ghadma
English Teacher, College of the Holy Family, Parramatta.
"Guest Speaker, Luke S. Kennedy, had our students from the very first word. You could hear a pin drop in our auditorium! He spoke and answered questions at the end of the session with complete candour. I would highly recommend this remarkable author to speak to teenagers about his harrowing journey out of a life of crime towards healing, redemption and finally, peace."
- Parent
Northern Beaches Christian School.
"As a father of two young boys here tonight, I just want to thank you for an unbelievable presentations. I've never seen a motivational speaker connect so well with kids and adults at the same time. I learnt a lot myself. Thank you again, you're an incredible speaker. I wish you all the best." - Parent.
- Stephen Kennaugh JP
Principal, De La Salle College Ashfield
"Motivational Speaker, Luke S. Kennedy, struck a chord with all our boys. His focus on being your true self rather than what others want you be, and doing this through his life story was great."
- B. Vetrano
Pastoral Care & Year 10 Coordinator, St Gregory’s College Campbelltow
"Motivational Speaker, Luke, spoke to our Year 10 and 11 students, the boys were very receptive of what he recounted. The reality of it all made the students really stop and take time to reflect on the choices they might make and the expectations they need to live up to.
Luke spoke at their level and was ‘on the mark’ in terms of his delivery. As for his book, well, I have never seen so many students who wouldn’t be caught dead with a book in their hands, literally run to my office to grab a copy for themselves!
I would highly recommend Luke to any school."
Book Luke S. Kennedy for your next event and he will tailor a presentation for your specific needs.