Student Leadership Program
GAME PLAN FOR SCHOOL GREATNESS
OVERVIEW
Student leaders, above all, have the greatest power and influence to promote mental wellness and create cultural change within a school environment. This program will empower, inspire and equip student leaders to become drivers of student wellbeing initiatives to create a thriving school community.
Engaging, interactive and impactful, there are three modules in this student leadership program:
1) AWARENESS - Discovering their power of becoming the leader of their life through greater self-awareness, self belief, and resilience - leaving empowered and inspired to get the “monkeys” of their back.
2) ALIGNMENT - Designing their own ‘leadership’ group vision connected to creating a thriving school community (e.g reduce bullying, positive peer relations, mental health, engagement, collaboration) through teamwork - leaving confident, optimistic and driven by purpose.
3) ACTION PLAN - Developing strategies and an implementation plan to turn the vision into reality - leaving with the clarity, practical tips and inspiration to take immediate action to follow-through and achieve their “documented” game plan, help others get the monkeys off their back, and create a thriving school community.
This program also includes post program implementation support and accountability.
Student leaders, above all, have the greatest power and influence to promote mental wellness and create cultural change within a school environment. This program will empower, inspire and equip student leaders to become drivers of student wellbeing initiatives to create a thriving school community.
Engaging, interactive and impactful, there are three modules in this student leadership program:
1) AWARENESS - Discovering their power of becoming the leader of their life through greater self-awareness, self belief, and resilience - leaving empowered and inspired to get the “monkeys” of their back.
- Key Focus: Personal leadership, resilience, inspiration, empowerment, influence
2) ALIGNMENT - Designing their own ‘leadership’ group vision connected to creating a thriving school community (e.g reduce bullying, positive peer relations, mental health, engagement, collaboration) through teamwork - leaving confident, optimistic and driven by purpose.
- Key Focus: Leading others, vision, positive engagement, teamwork, critical thinking
3) ACTION PLAN - Developing strategies and an implementation plan to turn the vision into reality - leaving with the clarity, practical tips and inspiration to take immediate action to follow-through and achieve their “documented” game plan, help others get the monkeys off their back, and create a thriving school community.
- Key Focus: Implementation, communication strategies, positive mindset, collaboration, community, accountability.
This program also includes post program implementation support and accountability.
Testimonials
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"Daniel presented a tailor-made session for me to an audience of educators and personnel who deal with the wellbeing of students in schools. The session contained a lot of highly relevant material, caused much discussion, and also caused many to reflect on some elements of the programs they are running in their schools. He introduced us to what he terms "the monkeys on your back", and showed us how he might use these images with students. He made a strong link between the importance of strong mental health for teachers and strong mental health for students, with reference to current statistics, and high profile experts in the field. The feedback was very positive from all who attended".
Greg Robinson - Head of Students, Senior School at Hunter Valley Grammar School
"Thank you for your time, wisdom and generosity Daniel Merza. Students were engaged, motivated and challenged to consider how they can incite positive change in their lives. Fantastic work!"
Head of House (combined Year 7 - 12 students) - Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview
"Through Daniel's personal experiences of the social issues teenagers face today, he is able to deliver a real, heartfelt talk which students can relate to. A sincere presentation".
Year 8 Leader of Wellbeing - De La Salle College, Caringbah
“Youthful, dynamic and engaging from start to finish. Our boys took away a great deal from Daniel’s presentation on resilience and achieving their personal best. He took the boys on a journey of discovery as they make the important transition to manhood, and in doing so, helped them find out more about themselves, and more importantly who they can be and what’s possible for them in Senior School and thereafter. Daniel’s passion was evident as he instilled in the boys the importance of making the most of their short block of time remaining at school by adopting a strong work ethic, to be true to oneself, and to be perseverant. Daniel provided energy and guidance in helping the boys make important school, career and life choices. We’ll definitely have Daniel back again”.
Year 10 Boarding Master - Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview
Daniel is a motivated speaker to teenagers on a range of different contemporary issues affecting our students. He has strong interpersonal skills which is reflected in his practical and informative talks. I highly recommend Daniel Merza if you would like a speaker with strong knowledge, great presentation skills and a person genuine in helping our next generation.
Curriculum Advisor - NSW Department of Education
“An outstanding communicator, Daniel kept students engaged right through his presentation on resilience - both males and females. Speaking to ATAR and Non ATAR students, his content was relatable, inspiring, and tailored to both categories, not only providing students with much needed motivation leading into their final HSC exams, but also, unpacking alternative pathways available and the action that they are required to take now to set up their future. It’s exactly what they needed to hear and I was delighted to see several students approach Daniel afterwards to share positive feedback. It won’t be the last time Daniel speaks at this school. I couldn’t recommend him more highly”.
Year 12 Coordinator - Sir Joseph Banks High School, Revesby
“All of the points from his presentation resonated deeply with all of our students. The feedback from our students was overwhelmingly positive and many asked to stay back to have the opportunity to speak to Daniel”.
Year 12 Coordinator - Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield
"Daniel, you're an inspiration mate. As a teenager myself, hearing you speak tonight was mind blowing in terms of completing my HSC and in term of a positive attitude and resilience for a successful life. Daniel, you're an inspiration. Keep it up mate."
Year 12 Student
"Hi Daniel. Thanks for the talk. It was a pleasure speaking to you and you really inspired and motivated me to do what I wish to strive for. Your time and effort really got me into the laser point mood and the next four months will be a journey for me to fight with my books. Thanks again. Much appreciated. Hope there is many more talks to come with you and many more motivational and inspiring talks too. Head down, ass up"
Year 12 Student
"Thank you so much. You have really helped by son get the monkeys off his back"
Parent
"Matthew came home absolutely wrapped in the talk that Daniel gave and very inspired. One of Matthew’s mates actually committed suicide a few months earlier at their school in Year 9 so it was so pertinent. Excellent !"
Parent
Greg Robinson - Head of Students, Senior School at Hunter Valley Grammar School
"Thank you for your time, wisdom and generosity Daniel Merza. Students were engaged, motivated and challenged to consider how they can incite positive change in their lives. Fantastic work!"
Head of House (combined Year 7 - 12 students) - Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview
"Through Daniel's personal experiences of the social issues teenagers face today, he is able to deliver a real, heartfelt talk which students can relate to. A sincere presentation".
Year 8 Leader of Wellbeing - De La Salle College, Caringbah
“Youthful, dynamic and engaging from start to finish. Our boys took away a great deal from Daniel’s presentation on resilience and achieving their personal best. He took the boys on a journey of discovery as they make the important transition to manhood, and in doing so, helped them find out more about themselves, and more importantly who they can be and what’s possible for them in Senior School and thereafter. Daniel’s passion was evident as he instilled in the boys the importance of making the most of their short block of time remaining at school by adopting a strong work ethic, to be true to oneself, and to be perseverant. Daniel provided energy and guidance in helping the boys make important school, career and life choices. We’ll definitely have Daniel back again”.
Year 10 Boarding Master - Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview
Daniel is a motivated speaker to teenagers on a range of different contemporary issues affecting our students. He has strong interpersonal skills which is reflected in his practical and informative talks. I highly recommend Daniel Merza if you would like a speaker with strong knowledge, great presentation skills and a person genuine in helping our next generation.
Curriculum Advisor - NSW Department of Education
“An outstanding communicator, Daniel kept students engaged right through his presentation on resilience - both males and females. Speaking to ATAR and Non ATAR students, his content was relatable, inspiring, and tailored to both categories, not only providing students with much needed motivation leading into their final HSC exams, but also, unpacking alternative pathways available and the action that they are required to take now to set up their future. It’s exactly what they needed to hear and I was delighted to see several students approach Daniel afterwards to share positive feedback. It won’t be the last time Daniel speaks at this school. I couldn’t recommend him more highly”.
Year 12 Coordinator - Sir Joseph Banks High School, Revesby
“All of the points from his presentation resonated deeply with all of our students. The feedback from our students was overwhelmingly positive and many asked to stay back to have the opportunity to speak to Daniel”.
Year 12 Coordinator - Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield
"Daniel, you're an inspiration mate. As a teenager myself, hearing you speak tonight was mind blowing in terms of completing my HSC and in term of a positive attitude and resilience for a successful life. Daniel, you're an inspiration. Keep it up mate."
Year 12 Student
"Hi Daniel. Thanks for the talk. It was a pleasure speaking to you and you really inspired and motivated me to do what I wish to strive for. Your time and effort really got me into the laser point mood and the next four months will be a journey for me to fight with my books. Thanks again. Much appreciated. Hope there is many more talks to come with you and many more motivational and inspiring talks too. Head down, ass up"
Year 12 Student
"Thank you so much. You have really helped by son get the monkeys off his back"
Parent
"Matthew came home absolutely wrapped in the talk that Daniel gave and very inspired. One of Matthew’s mates actually committed suicide a few months earlier at their school in Year 9 so it was so pertinent. Excellent !"
Parent
MORE TESTIMONIALS
"It was an honour to be one of the students who got to listen to you speak. One of the most engaging and inspiring presentations I have ever had the privilege of hearing!"
Petra, Undergraduate, Western Sydney University
"I attended a conference where Daniel was one of the guest speakers. He was very motivational and I would highly recommend listening to one of his speeches. From the conference I also bought Daniels book- “Get the monkeys off your back” which is a great read for self development. After reading numerous self development books I can say that this was honestly one of the best."
Joshika, Undergraduate, Western Sydney University
"It was an honour to have you share your story with our students. All of the points you presented today resonated with each of them - no matter the major, study year or demographic. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive."
Raymonda Aoun, Western Sydney University, Engagement Officer, Office of the Dean, School of Business
Thank you very much for your motivational speech today at Western Sydney University (4 October 2018). It was great to see my students being engaged and inspired by your story. A lot of them are going through changes in their lives and are trying to figure out what their calling is. The key points you shared will definitely help them to have a deeper reflection on their career journey. You have also made a positive impact on my students who met you at the Networking Event (7 September 2018) at Western Sydney University. When reflecting on the event during our class discussions they described you as being approachable and inspiring.
Dr Noor Lazar, Western Sydney University - School of Business
About Daniel
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Having worn the "underdog" cap growing up, Daniel's story can be summed up in three words - "Defying the odds".
Bullied for a decade, diagnosed with a mental illness aged 13, and labelled as a student with “no hope”, Daniel faced up to his tormentors at 16 and turned his life around – to create a life of achievements as an Award-Winning Speaker, Author, Coach, Mentor, Event Host MC and Chartered Accountant. During an illustrious corporate career spanning 15 years with leading companies like KPMG and BDO, Daniel spent considerable time developing the weaker spots of younger staff - such as tenacity, emotional intelligence, stress management, self confidence, and leadership - as part of his senior leadership roles. Having witnessed first-hand as a manager the degree to which young people lacked the essential skills to thrive post-school, Daniel left behind a six figure corporate pay packet to embark upon his mission to inspire tenacity, optimism and empowerment in high school students and “get them ready” to flourish in the real world. Based in Sydney, Daniel has developed clever and fun ways to inspire thousands of people to live a more fulfilled life. He is passionate about empowering his audiences to break through barriers and build resilience to overcome challenges, so they can live up to their full potential. Daniel is also the author of Get the Monkeys off Your Back, a book specifically written for teens (and parents/educators), covering important topics such as self leadership, resilience, mental health, bullying, social media addiction, self discovery and peak performance. |
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