Unique support for education will make a real impact in PSHCE and SEAL for students and staff.

Stress Free are very pleased to announce that they are in discussion with Dramatic Media to develop a collaborative approach that will provide high quality resources and support to schools, colleges and youth organisations for the successful and productive facilitation of PSHCE and SEAL.

Developed by Julie Laslett, an ex-Teacher, 'Dramatic Media produces a range of high quality resources that feature emotionally engaging, original film drama. We write and produce all of our films, which are based on social issues that are relevant to young people. The characters, events and issues raised in the films are the focus for curriculum-mapped activities. The subjects we cover are English, Media Studies and PSHE.  

Dramatic Media's PSHE resources are also relevant to learners outside mainstream education (PRUs and special units) and as training tools for those agencies that work in areas of social care involving young people. Our aim is to promote a 'wider literacy' through the use of film drama.'

Dale Rockell, Founder of Stress Free was asked to pilot some of the material within his current Stress Free work and has high praise for not only the quality of the resources, but also the huge potential across the curriculum, bringing subjects and soft skill development seamlessly together.

Dale states "I was very impressed by the quality of Dramatic Media's material, however it wasn't until I used it with a Year 11 group of students that I and the staff realised the massive potential we had at our finger tips.  I'm very happy to be working with Julie to discuss how we can support schools not only with resources, but also the support they may need to be highly effective in using this material, as well as complementary Stress Free resources."

Schools, colleges and youth organisations can find out more about the resources and support available, including staff experiential and training days by contacting Stress Free.

 

 

 

Copyright Dale C. Rockell Ltd, 2010

Partnership for education announced to promote ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ between Stress Free and Sports Xtra.

 

During 2009 Stress Free Founder Dale Rockell has been busy building a network of contacts to complement the Stress Free offering and realise the potential for collaboration, enhancing service provision to the education sector and young people.

 

The announcement to partner with Sports Xtra follows Dale’s discussions with Managing Director Gareth Lippiatt, non-executive Director Cris Beswick, meetings with further members of the Sports Xtra team, and an enthusiastically received presentation at the first Sports Xtra conference to Management Franchisees in December 2009.

 

Founded in 2002 by Gareth, Sports Xtra are expanding to deliver national sports provision within schools, colleges and youth organisations as well as professional development support for Teachers.  Sports Xtra provide both curricula and extra curricula activity with material and activities delivered in 6 session blocks. 

 

Of the partnership Dale comments “The Sports Xtra Franchise network provides a professional platform upon which an adapted version of Stress Free material will be provided through carefully selected individuals.  I’m very happy that the two businesses can work together and excited about realising the potential of bringing together the two complementary aspects of physical and mental health.  I’m extremely impressed by the professionalism of other partners that Sports Xtra will be working with.  The ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ concept will be very well supported throughout the increased portfolio of services.”

 

Dale is currently compiling the draft documentation for Coaches and will work with the Sports Xtra team to develop a manageable approach for recruitment and a comprehensive training programme.  The aim is for the first pilot of Stress Free delivery through the Sports Xtra network to take place in the second quarter of 2010.

 

 

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip is a Life Coach, Motivational and Key Note Speaker and Founder of the Stress Free brand. 

 

To engage Dale’s support to create the life you want and to find out more go to;

 

LinkedIn  :  iTunes  :  Twitter  :  SCEMES UK Education Procurement Directory

Facebook (business page)  :  Facebook (connect with Dale)

 

 

Lack of focus is the frustration of many of today’s young people rather than too much choice, a recurring challenge from my work in schools and colleges. 

Since when was choice a bad thing, let alone too much choice? Ask anyone who has experience of where choice is limited or poverty widespread why they look to move and unequivocally the underlying reason is choice and opportunity.

Choice equals opportunity and never has there been a better time to have both, regardless of where you are starting from, and regardless of age and ability.

So how do you create focus? Here are some short sharp tips

1.    Get a dedicated notebook for this exercise. 

2.    Start by writing down all of the options, after all, this is what they are at the moment.  You haven’t made a choice yet.

3.    How much do you really know about these options? Investigate your current options further.  The internet is much more powerful and useful than just speaking to your friends on instant messenger, start digging – it’s your future!

4.    It’s guaranteed as you research your options other ideas and options will present themselves – write them all down.

5.    Some of your original options will no longer be attractive to you.  Let them go.

6.    Find out ways of experiencing some of your options.  Who do you know that already does that? Who do your contacts know?  Life is increasingly about who you know and who they know! 

7.    Look for volunteering opportunities in school, college and with other organisations to increase your experience and skills and enhance your CV.  Many people volunteer as well as having a paid job. (A further blog will discuss the common objection for not getting paid.)

8.    Increase your network of contacts, stay in touch.  You never know when you may need their services or assistance, or even be able to send some business in their direction.

9.    Develop your communication skills so that you naturally have an interest and curiosity about others.

10. Have fun, find others who are researching the same options and share the workload. Surround yourself with like-minded people.

11. Don’t be put off by those who tell you that you can’t do something (unless it’s illegal or life threatening), this is your life and your future.  Others will be reading their own opinions and scripts into your situation and want to stay in their own comfort zone.  Your ambition to succeed will make some of your friends and family uncomfortable – this is their personal challenge to let go.

12. Only you can create the focus needed to see the potential opportunities from your options.  Then you can make an informed choice about which options to choose, remembering that temptation and other options will always present themselves, but now you know how to focus you’ll take them in your stride!

Look out for further Teenage Tip Blogs and Podcast content from Dale Rockell and Stress Free.

Dale Rockell is a Personal Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, a specialist working with schools and colleges to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions for PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, and Teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

 

Dale is also a trained facilitator for the Race Equality Foundations "Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities" Inclusive Parenting programme.

 

further information is available at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

www.twitter.com/dalerockell

www.linkedin.com/in/dalerockell

 

FREE podcasts available on iTunes.

 

The concept of 'my job' is a fluid one, as we have all been reminded by the current financial climate and the recent agreement by General Motors to sell a majority share in GM Europe.

 

My parents’ generation were the last who really could look at a job for life. There is no such thing as 'my job' we only undertake a role on behalf of someone while it remains feasible. Business constantly needs to adapt, and so do the roles required.

 

Fear sets in when individuals live to the means a salary allows, however, never more has a contingency plan been a vital part of life. We can choose to react to events preferring situations to stay the same, or be proactive to be able to ride the peaks and troughs of life's rollercoaster.

 

During the summer I spent some time on the beach with my three year old son building sand castles.  This is an excellent metaphor for life - nothing stays the same. Not just in the tide eventually washing them away but also the joy in my son's face as he squashes each one the instant I have made it.

 

One thing that can be consistent is your peacefulness and happiness, this is made easier when we view change as an adventure.

 

One thing is certain every ending is also a new beginning. It's up to you what you choose to focus on.

 

 

 

Dale Rockell is a Personal Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, a specialist working with schools and colleges to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions for PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, and Teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

 

Dale is also a trained facilitator for the Race Equality Foundations "Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities" Inclusive Parenting programme.

 

further information is available at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

www.twitter.com/dalerockell

www.linkedin.com/in/dalerockell

 

FREE podcasts available on iTunes.

 

A recent article in the Bucks Herald (New business aims to get children through 11+, 7^th September 2009) was brought to my attention by a good friend and prolific writer on social and political matters, Simon Icke.

 

The article informs of a company whose focus is providing further tuition and coaching for students who have the opportunity of taking the 11+ Exams.  For those unfamiliar with this term, 11+ is an exam which is used to assess if pupils may have access to a Grammar School, rather than a State Comprehensive.  Traditionally this has been perceived to provide a better education.

 

The challenge here is that no one knows the pass mark.  There are a limited number of places available, therefore should the quota be fulfilled with a pass mark of 90%, 89% will not make the cut.  The next year 85% may be adequate.  You can see the dilemma already.

 

I have recently been in discussion with a Primary School where the pupils do have the option of 11+.  It is a time of immense stress for pupils, teachers and staff, not only for the exam, for the whole of the year leading up to it, if not before.

 

As Simon states in his response below, providing further coaching is only going to raise the expectation of parents that their children have a better chance of getting to Grammar School.  How can this be when a pass grade isn’t known?  It increases stress unnecessarily on the pupils and runs the risk of alienating them from further study.

 

My meeting focused instead on how we would work with parents, staff and pupils to reduce the stress, understand how to make the most of whatever options the pupil was given, Grammar or otherwise.  Parents need to remember that living through the success of our children is not a productive exercise it only meets short term objectives – test passing.  What is more important is what they do with the knowledge they have, the contribution they make to society, and this is not achieved by focusing on tests alone.  Education is about more than exams and tests, it should prepare young people for all of the aspects of life, personal and professional, and consider the bigger picture at all times.

 

A son of friends sat the 11+ last academic year, he achieved 89% and missed the cut.  Was he upset?  Not really.  All of his friends are going to the same Comprehensive and this provides a stronger platform for him during a time of huge transition for most pupils.  He and his parents know that his education is more than just about the school he attends.

 

Response from Simon Icke to the Bucks Herald article:

 

“Dear Editor

 

More pressure on more children at too young an age. I went to Grammar School and hated it, even though I was in an 'A stream'. I left after three years, with my father's help, to go to the local comprehensive where one again I learned how to enjoy learning; I have never stopped enjoying learning ever since.

 

This special coaching will only be available to those that can afford the large fee; I thought the whole point of Grammar schools was to give those children who couldn't afford to go to an Independent fee paying school the opportunity to go to Grammar School? So this private coaching, at a price, gives working class children even less chance of a place; if places are limited. Those children with pushy parents and money, will be given an unfair advantage. If children cannot pass their 11/12 plus without additional coaching, in my opinion they shouldn't be going in the first place.

 

I would like to ask parents what would they prefer a happy child or a child under constant stress and pressure, always trying to please their parents? In my view all Grammar schools should be scrapped and converted to first class comprehensive schools, available to children of all abilities; all children should be offered the same first class education, regardless of their parent’s wealth. To make a decision on a child's intelligence at just 11 or 12 years old is so wrong; many children don’t discover their talents until much later. To judge a child's intelligence just on academic criteria, is also very wrong. Some children have other gifts, but sadly these children often fall by the way side; as failures. They are not failures, it's just that our narrow minded education system failed to recognise their God given talents.

Parents would do well to remember the high suicide rate of young people, who felt they had failed their parents’ expectations, how very sad.”

 

 

Dale Rockell is a Personal Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, a specialist working with schools and colleges to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions for PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, and Teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

 

Dale is also a trained facilitator for the Race Equality Foundations "Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities" Inclusive Parenting programme.

 

further information is available at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

www.twitter.com/dalerockell

www.linkedin.com/in/dalerockell

 

FREE podcasts available on iTunes.

 

Dale Rockell, Stress Free Managing Director and Founder, has recently agreed two speaking engagements.  If you’d like to find out more about Dale and his coaching work why not book yourself in to one or both events? 

 

If you’d like Dale to speak at a meeting or event do contact us.

 

Friday 25^th September 2009

BBA Networking Breakfast

The Caldecote Arms

Bletcham Way

Milton Keynes

Bucks MK7 8HP

 

Time: 7.15 to 9.00am

 

Dale will be talking about ‘Coaching, Mentoring, Counselling, Mediation – Clarifying the What, How, Why and When for effective motivation, inspiration and aspiration. 

 

Cost £10 per person includes full English breakfast.

 

Map Link

BBA Website Link

 

 

Tuesday 8^th December 2009

Network Xpress Event

Devonshire Business Centre

Letchworth

Herts

SG6 1GJ

 

Time: 6.30pm to 9.00pm

 

Cost: £8.00 per person

 

Map Link

Network Xpress Website Link

 

Dale will be sharing his experience of coaching in education, supporting students of all ages and teachers with the objectives to develop personal, social, emotional and employability skills.  A very insightful discussion with plenty of ‘a-ha’ moments and it’s guaranteed you’ll want to see every school and college benefit from Stress Free.

 

 

"Stigma has been abolished. To live on benefits has become a lifestyle choice" reflects some of my coaching experiences in schools where young people know what is involved to obtain Local Authority housing, without appreciation of the economic implications and where the money really comes from to provide these resources. And if they do have an understanding, it doesn’t bother them.

 

A recent article in the Sunday Times, by one-time Conservative Cabinet Minister, Michael Portillo ("Idle young should be entitled to nothing" 30th August), highlights some interesting points and raises many questions.

 

Many young people balk at the thought of the word "effort" in any form, from their own achievements and well-being to making a contribution to society in any form, be it through tax contributions or other actions. 'It's someone else's problem or job.'

 

I remember a time not so long ago when living on credit, 'the never-never' was a taboo subject, and was an embarrassment to admit you'd had to borrow anything except a mortgage. The reverse then became a reality until recent global events living on credit had also become a 'lifestyle choice".

 

One of my most effective confidence tips is ‘to not worry what others may think of you, they are probably worrying what you think of them’. However this has to be put into context when looking at contributions to society and personal well-being. Having some concern of what others think is necessary to motivate us in certain situations.

 

Self esteem is the basic component of a healthy and balanced society. Self esteem breeds humility, confidence, dignity, unselfishness, a willingness to share. A challenge to society – and that means all of us, is to support the elevation of self esteem in others, which can only be accomplished when we like and trust ourselves.

 

We cannot be surprised at the current UK conundrum of long term unemployment and 'lifestyle' choice by many. We live in a free market economy promoted to the hilt by all western politicians, including Mr Portillo.  People are making informed and economic choice. If the 'income' provided by the state outweighs the likely employment income based on personal skills and ability, and when effort has been considered, what is an individual going to do?

 

Politicians and commentators must realise that constantly attempting to pull individuals towards work and training will meet with resistance, although it ‘ticks boxes’, and society must no longer expect politicians to do something when the going gets tough.

 

When we decide something is for our own good, and removes an element of discomfort, then we decide something has to change. 

 

The current climate has been created by political interventions and policies, current and historical. If things are to change then the 'lifestyle choice' of living off the state needs to be made less comfortable and less appealing. How this is achieved in today’s politically correct and democratically driven society is anyone's guess and I’m not going to attempt to answer this here. However nothing is achieved without balance.

 

One thing is certain, without an increase across the nation of self esteem we will not reduce the 'I'm alright jack' selfish mentality that has seen many "living off the efforts of others", and "3.3m [UK] households - one in six with no one over the age of 16 in employment".

 

There are also those who criticise the success of those who do make effort, preferring to bring others down to their comfort zone rather than stick their head above the parapet for fear of being criticised and challenged themselves.

 

As many in the coaching profession acknowledge, what you put in you get back - effort equals reward, and not always financial.  There are greater benefits to your contribution to society than money.

 

A new ethos of community spirit and willingness to make a positive contribution to our own lives, those of others and society as a whole is significantly needed. We must nurture this spirit in today’s young people to reverse the current trend.  No amount of money thrown at local resources without specific focus will achieve this task.

 

Two final thoughts;

 

Unemployment is necessary to maintain a balanced economy and manage inflation through a rotation of resources and negotiation of salaries. 

 

Assessment of young people, or any unemployed individual, will always be subjective and deemed unfair. You cannot withhold state benefit for fear of penalising the genuine who have fallen on hard times, or been affected by a global financial downturn. 

 

 

Dale Rockell is a Personal Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, a specialist working with schools and colleges to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions for PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, and Teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

 

Dale is also a trained facilitator for the Race Equality Foundations "Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities" Inclusive Parenting programme.

 

 

further information is available at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

www.twitter.com/dalerockell

www.linkedin.com/in/dalerockell

 

FREE podcasts available on iTunes.

"I want to be a footballers wife and spend all of his money.  Oh, and he MUST play for Tottenham" (10 year old pupil)

This is just one of many challenges and ambitions I have experienced and discussed during my Stress Free coaching work in schools, here are a few more.

"I want to be in the Red Arrows.  Who are they?" (10 year old)

"I want to be a drummer, it's easy, the guitarist keeps time" (same 10 year old not realising I am a guitarist)

"I'm going to earn £1m a year working for someone else" (15 year old who then realised the average salary was £33k, and that their own grades were currently below average)

"I'm going to play football for Arsenal (or Chelsea, Tottenham, Man Utd etc.) I'll approach them when I'm 16."  (10 year old pupils who do not yet play in youth league, or any team for that matter.)

"I'm 16, it's too late now"

"Why do Dr's and Nurses get paid so much less than footballers, it seems really unfair" (10 year olds)

"If my parents died, my life would be over" (10 year old)

"Why is there a shortage of money?" & "What's a credit crunch?" (10 year olds)

"Where do we start with PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, especially the contribution to society and economic well-being?"  Teaching Staff

"What's the relevance of school to the rest of my life?" (unanimous from all pupils!)

"I can't wait to be 16, the bank give you a card to get money out of the machine" (10 year old)

"I don't need to know how to read and write, I'm going to be a hairdresser" (9 year old who wanted to run their own business)

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip

Dale Rockell is a Personal Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, a specialist working with schools and colleges to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions for PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, and Teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

 

Dale is also a trained facilitator for the Race Equality Foundations "Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities" Inclusive Parenting programme.

 

further information is available at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

www.twitter.com/dalerockell

www.linkedin.com/in/dalerockell

 

FREE podcasts available on iTunes.

 

Two recent press articles cover different subjects however they have much in common.

 

The first article, “Pupils ‘Taught to Test’”(The Times, 24^th August 2009(1)), discusses research which demonstrates that the focus of schools is to get students through their exams.  The second article, “Students Buy ‘A’ Level Essays” (The Time, 24^th August 2009 (2)), states that students are buying essays at a cost of £700 each, in an attempt to improve their grades and hence chances of a place at their university of choice.  It also quotes that parents were buying essays on behalf of their children.

 

Both of these articles highlight too much short term focus at the cost of gaining an education that will last a lifetime, and an inability to work out a solution to overcome a personal challenge.  In the UK too much emphasis is placed upon exam results – school league tables and university entry requirements, rather than the bigger picture.

 

In Principle Centred Leadership, Dr Stephen Covey uses the analogy of the farm to explain what it means to get an education.  To get a sustainable crop you have to nurture the farm, tend to it, and you will be rewarded with a fine, lasting harvest.  You cannot cram on a farm, plant the seeds and expect food tomorrow. 

 

Gaining an education is exactly that – nurturing, absorbing, understanding and appreciating relevance to your personal and professional ambitions.  As Dr Covey states, many individuals are gaining their credentials and qualifications, but at the cost of gaining an education.  This is also a reflection on a sound bite society that wants to get to the point, or in this case the exam pass now at any cost.

 

Cramming for exams also increases stress unnecessarily.  If a student understood and appreciated the relevance of the subjects to their personal and professional lives, they would be more interested and curious, absorb information naturally, and be less stressed about testing.

 

The costs to employers and the employees themselves include;

 

future employees that will not be able to handle personal and professional stressful situations

 

employees that will not be able to handle projects of any duration which require research, concentration and reporting

 

costs associated with these employers will soar as solutions as sought to cover inadequacies and absence through stress

 

All in all this short focused scenario is a huge waste of extremely limited education finances and resources that could be more wisely invested through a change of strategy that encourages learning and personal development with a focus on personal and professional goals, as much as exam results.

 

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip

 

Dale Rockell is a Personal Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, a specialist working with schools and colleges to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions for PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, and Teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

 

Dale is also a trained facilitator for the Race Equality Foundations "Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities" Inclusive Parenting programme.

 

Further information is available at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

www.twitter.com/dalerockell

www.linkedin.com/in/dalerockell

 

FREE podcasts available on iTunes

Should we really be surprised that so many young people are unable to cope with situations without resorting to physical and verbal abuse? (Telegraph, 30^th July 2009) And that so many teachers are unable to cope when these situations arise?

If modern society is reflected by the content of TV and Films, then there is increasingly the victim and aggressor mentality. If something happens we don't like it is easier to take either an aggressive or a passive stance. Both are the result of a lack of confidence.

 

Of course this is not limited to the education sector, and the impact upon society and the economy is significant.

 

Coaching works with many individuals and groups to promote moving towards and focusing on what we do want, rather than pulling away from that we don't.

 

This raises the question of why, if we would like a more peaceful world, we continue to use violence as a form of entertainment, making it more and more graphic.

 

In the suspension and expulsion scenario we have two extremes that need to move towards each other. The result equals assertiveness.

 

When we are assertive we gain the following skills and attributes:

• Objectivity
• Humility
• Confidence
• Esteem
• Communication
• Solution seeking
• Optimism
• Curiosity

When both parties are assertive a positive, productive, and mutually beneficial outcome is more easily achieved.

 

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip

 

Dale Rockell is a Personal Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, a specialist working with schools and colleges to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions for PSHCE, SEAL, Every Child Matters, and Teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

 

Dale is also a trained facilitator for the Race Equality Foundations "Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities" Inclusive Parenting programme.

 

Further information is available at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

www.twitter.com/dalerockell

www.linkedin.com/in/dalerockell

 

FREE podcasts available on iTunes

Can a Child have too much self-esteem?

Modern psychologists have brought the subject of self-esteem, firmly into the public domain. The term appears regularly on a child's school report, pre-sentencing reports and even from the mouths of toddlers. 

A leading scholar and sociologist, Dr Tony Sewell claims that many of our children have too much self-esteem and as a consequence they have little regard for the opinions or esteem of others.  [Read more]

 

Article by Allan Johnson-Mwangi

Co-Director of Stress Free & Founder of Luton Young Leaders Academy

 

www.dadtalk.co.uk

 

 

A BBC report (http://bit.ly/pg0i0, 6^th August 2009) claims that young people are shunning out of hours school clubs due to “rebelliousness, being shy and lazy”. 

 

The report goes on to state; “The government-backed study looked at barriers to children taking part and divided them into six groups. These included the "not-bothereds", the "authority rejecters" and the "shy and lacking in confidence", along with those who put friends above all else. Ministers urged local councils to let youngsters know what was available.”

As a Coach, specialising in working with young people to build self confidence for a safe, healthy, enjoyable life that makes a positive contribution to society, there are a several observations to make.

1.      In the UK we have a growing habit of providing labels by which people either a) get annoyed with, or b) live down to (by this I mean that the label depletes confidence and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and a downward spiral).

This has to stop if we want young people to become proactive citizens and successfully self-sufficient.

2.      One has the distinct impression that the push for young people to be involved with those activities provided is more about a ‘tick box’ mentality.  With considerable knowledge of how funding works for projects in the UK, providers are expected to demonstrate that they engaged a certain number of young people.

 

3.      Having personally experienced being labelled “shy” as a child by well-meaning adults, this can have an even more crippling effect on young people.  Young people must be given the opportunity to build their confidence by making what they do relevant to their personal life and ambitions, not because someone has said it would be good for them.

 

With a growth in self-confidence young people would get involved with a project regardless of what their friends felt or thought.  Ultimately, it is about their personal choice that we want them to say ‘my friends’ reaction does not bother me’.

 

4.      How many of these projects are a result of consultation with young people?  Surely a proactive tool for PSHCE in schools if ever there was one.

 

5.      If we’re going to create labels such as “Authority Rejectors” why are we surprised that young people or anyone for that matter reject proposals, they now view them as authoritarian?  How will the Govt learn and capture this energy of “rebellion” for the purpose of providing something young people actually want rather than wasting funding ‘because it keeps young people off the street’.  After all isn’t customer service built on addressing negative feedback?

 

6.      And finally, “One 13-year-old girl told researchers: "When you're nine you can be bothered but not at our age."  A throw away comment, or a warning sign for potential employers?  With the appropriate structure for effective personal, social and emotional development in schools, it is easy to develop a ‘can be bothered’ attitude based upon a personal thirst for opportunities to grow, learn, contribute and achieve.

 

The approach being taken in many instances is just a plaster over a much larger challenge, being seen to do something to appease others.  It is, however, not focusing on providing a real solution to support young people in nurturing their true potential.

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip is a Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and the Managing Director & Founder of Stress Free, working in partnership with schools, colleges and universities to provide highly effective personal, social and emotional development provision for students and staff.  Contact Stress Free for more information.

Teachers often ask, having seen the effectiveness of my work with students, how Stress Free can support them?  After all they exclaim, 'if the kids think they're stressed they should see what we've got to deal with'.

 

It would be crazy for anyone to think that addressing only one part of an organisation would be effective.  After all, a school can be likened to a business with a culture, processes, procedures, staff and of course clients, clients being the students, parents and local community.

 

The clients are reliant on the teachers and support staff of a school to provide an environment that takes an interest in their individual and collective development, makes obtaining an education fun, they like and want to visit again and again, and as a result contribute to the overall atmosphere and culture of the school.

 

However, with more and more red tape, processes, guidelines, one Government initiative to be implemented after another, parents to 'deal with' and lesson plans to prepare, many teachers feel inundated and have lost the initial enthusiasm for why they really (and hopefully) went into teaching - to provide a quality education for, and nurture the potential of their clients, the young people.

 

---

 

The Challenges for Teachers

 

Maintaining motivation in a job is not an exclusive challenge to Teachers; if you speak to most employees they will give you a large number of reasons why they dislike their job.  For Teachers the reasons I've come across are common as are the solutions, so let's take a look and start to unravel some of them.

 

1.     'It's one initiative after another, we can't keep up'

 

Change is a given. In any corporate organisation, change is paramount to stay a step ahead of the competition and to keep the customer satisfied. Why should teaching be any different? On the other hand I actually agree that you hardly go a day without the UK Government has another new initiative for education.

 

There will always be new ideas for any sector and organisation, education is no exception, and nor should it be. The point to make here is that, on the whole it is up to the school leadership team to decide how new initiatives are implemented, according to their clients’ needs and resources available.

 

Many schools I speak with raise this challenge as a reason for stress.  After more detailed discussion you often identify they have got it covered. So what's to get stressed about? If the new processes work they quickly become habits and part of the routine. Pain is created if organisations fall to integrate new processes properly and take the time to identify those which are no longer of benefit, instead just adding more on top of the existing workload.

 

2.     'Students just won't sit still and listen in class, how am I supposed to teach?'

 

This is the pain caused by a teachers personal expectation versus the reality of a room of up to 30 young people, all wondering about the relevance of the subject to their lives.

 

Society has encouraged us to find our voice and challenge and question what we see and hear, and if we don't understand, to seek a way of ensuring that we do.  Stress Free is successful because we have the opportunity and freedom to work with whatever is contributed by the participants. Instead of a quiet class I want discussion to make the discussion relevant to their challenges and questions.

 

Given the reality, how can teachers facilitate discussion to engage students in their subject, and make it relate to their professional and educational requirements? 

 

If we place our personal and professional satisfaction on something that is unlikely to happen, we're setting ourselves up for a stressful time. However, by developing an approach that allows us to meet our professional obligations by working with what we have, life will become so much less of a struggle. Taking what may be seen as a 'throw away comment' or 'disruptive' behaviour and using it to meet your lesson objective and make it relevant to your class will make your life a whole lot easier.

 

3.     'There are not enough hours'

 

We all have 24 hours per day to achieve what needs to be done. No-one gets anymore.  And you are mistaken if you believe you can manage time. You can however manage what needs to be done in the time that you have.

 

A long 'to do' list does not need to be completed today. Prioritise. Be more gentle and honest with yourself when promising deadlines and negotiate and be assertive with those demanding your contributions. If they value your input and are caring they will assist you in whatever ways are necessary to get everything done.

 

4.     'I didn't come into teaching to....'

 

Everybody will tell you they have things in their job they shouldn't be doing or it's not what they signed up for.  Let's turn this into a major positive.  By doing additional tasks and undertaking further responsibilities how will this benefit your personal and professional growth?  Look at every new initiative and challenge in your profession as an opportunity to learn, strengthen your skills and enhance your career prospects. By choosing to get involved you are moving towards satisfaction and away from pain. 

 

5.     'Parents don't support us'

 

Focus on what you have, not what you don't have.  Appreciate those who do and can support you, your existing parent teacher association, your board of governors and volunteers in any capacity.  Decide how to make the best of the resources you are given, if others see you having fun and being successful, they'll want to join in too, well some will.

 

6.     'Ofsted inspections put us under so much pressure'

 

The preparations and planning I have witnessed for an Ofsted inspection are just the same, and speaking as a professional manager, just as crazy as when the President or CEO visits a corporate location.

 

All of a sudden the office is pristine, piles of gossip magazines are cleared away, everyone is on best behaviour and everything is done by the book to get a favourable report.  It's superficial and defeats the object of coming to find out how you really work.

 

Why go to such efforts to demonstrate you can ‘tick boxes’ then going back to normal when the inspectors leave?  Wouldn't it make sense to work to these standards every day, creating a habit that becomes so much part of the culture the inspection is just a formality?  I know that preparing for an inspection nearly crucifies some staff, depletes energy and focuses only on a short term objective.  Challenge this thinking to relieve unnecessary stress.

 

7.     'We struggle with PSHCE and SEAL and the students don't like the lessons either'

 

What are the personal and professional benefits and challenges in making this work and engaging for teachers and students?  If the whole school has the same challenge, seek professional support such as a partnership with Stress Free that will benefit everyone, staff and students.

 

Who said you had to be able to do it all?  Personal, social and emotional development is about facilitating discussion for individuals to develop their own understanding that they can relate to current personal circumstances and future ambitions.  Without the safe structure of a traditional lesson many teachers are uncomfortable.  A temptation to just tick the boxes of should not forsake this valuable opportunity of developing skills that will lead to a safe, healthy life, that is enjoyed, results in academic achievement, a positive contribution to society (including a positive and productive school culture), and economic well-being.

 

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I've just covered some of the many possible points that could be discussed however, I'm sure that you're starting to get the point. The point being that regardless of your role, you get out of life what you put in, what you choose to see, and what you choose to hear.

 

To discuss any of these areas, or others in more detail and find out how Stress Free can support your personal and professional objectives, contact us.

 

If you’ve enjoyed and benefited from reading this posting, please pass on to your contacts.  Please give credit where it’s due and link back to www.bestressfree.co.uk & www.dalecrockell-lifecoack.co.uk 

 

Post written by Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip

Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and Founder of Stress Free

Using your THREE Brains!

 

How do you use YOUR three brains?  That’s right, all three of them!  I mean are you REALLY consciously aware of using them to make better decisions and have more confidence.

 

You may be thinking, ‘well I have one in my head, although it’s been suggested that sometimes it’s slipped to other regions of my body!’

 

Well, you do have three brains. We all do, and now it’s time to start using ALL three to improve YOUR life.

 

First brain is your GUT.  It’s that ‘gut feel’ for something, it gives you information through feelings and emotions.  This is often referred to as instinct, intuition, inspiration.  Notice when you have these moments that you put your hand to your stomach.

 

Second brain is your HEART.  Your heart brain gives you more information through feelings and emotions, you ‘know something with all your heart’ to be true.  This often kicks in with excitement, fear, anxiety and of course, love and attraction to others.  Notice when you have these moments that you put your hand to your chest.

 

Third brain is in your HEAD.  Before now, this is the brain many use 99.9% of the time to make decisions in their life.  It overrides the information from the other brains to rationalise with all the other information and social conditioning you have at your disposal.  To this point you let it override the other brains.

 

The human race have become conditioned to use the HEAD brain to make decisions, at the expense of what our GUT and HEART brains are telling us.  How often have you said or done something, perhaps after hesitation, to then say ‘I knew I shouldn’t have said/done that!’?

 

This tip comes from my second brain to you, and encourages you to start listening to your GUT and HEART brains more, taking time to notice and review the feelings and emotions experienced before allowing your HEAD brain to work on the situation. 

 

All too often the messages speed at a million miles an hour to our HEAD brain to be over-processed and rationalised, removing all sense and feeling from the original message because we have so much to do and need to get to the next thing.

 

Notice what your GUT and HEART brains are telling you about this Confidence Tip.  Do you feel good reading it?  If so, it has meaning for you, hold that for a while.  The more you practice this you’ll notice how much clearer you head feels, and how much easier decision making has become.

 

For further reading I highly recommend taking a look at “The Other 90%” by Robert Cooper, which I have read many times for inspiration.

 

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip - Life Coach, Managing Director & Founder of Stress Free 

 

We hope you enjoy and benefit from the Stress Free postings.  If you have found this of benefit please pass on to your family, friends and contacts, but please ensure you give credit where it’s due and reference/link back to www.bestressfree.co.uk

Copyright Dale C. Rockell Ltd, 2009

What have you been putting off and waiting for a ‘better time’ to do?  Why are you getting in your own way?  This is also referred to as passive/aggressive behaviour - the 'self-destruct' button of all the valid reasons why something can wait, won't happen, or you put in all that effort only to sabotage yourself before achieving your goal.

 

Here are a couple of examples common in my work;

 

'Well I've come to school, but don't expect me to do any work.' 

'People like me/us don't get to do things like that.'

'There's not enough time/money.'

'I haven't spoken to them in so long.'

'I have to .....(go to work, go to school, do this, do that....)

 

Why not go and do it anyway?  Not sure where to start - just pick somewhere.  Decide to make the most of it (for example, your education), Google it, make a call, talk to someone about it, share it on your social network (commit yourself!), you never know who they know, and who they know who can help you.  Don't second guess the possible reaction of others (see Confidence Tip # 1).

 

The description of FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real – what you focus on, your anticipated outcome, whether success or failure, is what you’ll more than likely experience.  As Susan Jeffers   states "feel the fear and do it anyway".  See how fantastic you feel just by taking the first step, then the next, then the next.  Keep a journal or picture board of progress to maintain motivation towards YOUR target.

 

"Every journey starts with a single step" Chinese Proverb

 

Complete that task you’ve been putting off, focus on enjoying that meeting you’ve been dreading, plan that event you've been putting off.  EXPECT to enjoy yourself and EXPECT to succeed and you will!  The saying goes – ‘fake it until you make it!’  Well you don't have to fake it, otherwise you'll experience disappointment with the thought 'I know this isn't meant to be', instead, picture repeatedly in your mind how it looks, feels and sounds.  By the time you do whatever it is, you'll feel like you've been there a million times.

 

What are YOU going to do for YOUR personal growth and sense of achievement today?  Be the YOU that YOU want to be (remembering to ensure that you continue to make a positive contribution to your family and society through the quality of your thoughts, words and actions).  And remember whatever happens, you will be provided with valuable lessons for the benefit of YOUR future.

 

Good luck and enjoy your experience!

 

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip

Life Coach, Managing Director & Founder of Stress Free

 

Give credit where it's due.  You may reproduce or quote this posting in part of full however please ensure you refer it back to www.bestressfree.co.uk .

 

Copyright Dale C. Rockell Ltd, 2009

We are pleased to announce that two of our Stress Free Directors, Allan Johnson-Mwangi and Stress Free Founder Dale Rockell, have recently completed training to become facilitators of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) Inclusive Parenting Programme.

Allan and Dale have undertaken five days intensive training as facilitators of this programme which complements their significant experience to date.  The powerful partnership of Luton Young Leaders Academy & Stress Free brings considerable experience of working with young people and adults to nurture their personal and leadership potential, as well as Allan and Dale's own experiences as fathers and use of the SFSC material.

To parents, carers and guardians of children aged 3-18, strengthening families, strengthening communities is a culturally sensitive programme to address the parenting needs of different ethnic and cultural groups.

This proactive and practical Race Equality Foundation programme, endorsed by the UK Home Office, meets varied learning styles through discussion and activities that can be implemented for immediate benefit, promoting that true learning comes from within to develop the five essential areas of Cultural/Spiritual, Enhancing Relationships, Positive Discipline, Rites of Passage and Community Involvement.

The result of the strengthening families, strengthening communities parenting programme is high self-esteem, self confidence, self discipline and social competence for both parent and child.

Strengthening families, strengthening communities meets the needs of the whole family to live a life that is safe, healthy and enjoyable, contributes positively to the extended family, local community and society, and encourages economic well-being.

Allan and Dale’s main focus will be on working with fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers and any male with responsibility and accountability for the well-being of children, although mixed parent workshops will also be available.

Participant commitment is 13 weeks of 3 hours sessions to complete the programme and receive a Certificate of Completion, which may also be applied to Open College Network (OCN) accreditation. 

Non-certificated workshops (full day & half day) are also available looking specifically at each of the five key areas of Cultural/Spiritual, Enhancing Relationships, Positive Discipline, Rites of Passage and Community Involvement.

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities is the perfect programme for supporting schools where parents are looking for straight-forward practical solutions to developing a more effective family environment that allows everyone to realise their true potential and be supportive of each other.

If you’d like Allan and/or Dale to work with you in delivering this highly effective programme, either as co-facilitators to complement your own resources, to bring SFSC to your organisation for the first time, or to provide keynote and motivational speeches, contact us at hello@bestressfree.co.uk.

We are very pleased to annouce that the Stress Free Podcasts are now available to download for FREE, yes that's right, absolutely FREE!  Recorded by Stress Free Founder, Dale Rockell, the Stress Free Podcasts bring you up to date with everything Stress Free, provide Confidence Tips and discuss challenges that many will or have experienced.

You can subscribe through iTunes (click here) or to download manually (click here)

If you like what you hear and think others would benefit please pass these links on to your friends, family, work colleagues - in fact everyone you know will benefit!

If you'd like to suggest ideas of what you'd like to hear as part of future Stress Free Podcasts let us know, we'd love to hear from you!

Enjoy & stay Stress Free!

The Stress Free Team

 

©Nursing Times 2002.Reproduced with permission. An original article written by KathleenRuth Hadikin for Nursing Times. This article appeared in the August 6, 2002 issue (Volume 98, Number 32)

There were once 2 brothers who lived on the 80th level. On coming home one day, they realized to their dismay that the lifts were not working and that they have to climb the stairs home.After struggling to the 20th level, panting and tired, they decided to abandon their bags and come back for them the next day.

They left their bags then and climbed on. When they have struggled to the 40th level, the younger brother started to grumble and both of them began to quarrel. They continued to climb the flights of steps, quarreling all the way to the 60th floor.They then realized that they have only 20 levels more to climb and decided to stop quarreling and continue climbing in peace. They silently climbed on and reached their home at long last.

Each stood calmly before the door and waited for the other to open the door.  Read More

Baiju Solanki
Your Awareness, Your Performance
www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk

 

You can share this thought with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums providing you link it back to www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk & www.bestressfree.co.uk

Don’t worry what other people think of you, because actually most people are worrying what you think about them!  Spending time comparing yourself to others will drain your confidence further, and at the end of the day you are you. 

 

Concentrate on what you need to think of you, make those thoughts about who you are as positive as possible and work on them every day.  Focus on your strengths, what you want to be, and how you want to feel.  After all you are living your life!

 

Dale Rockell, Life Coach and

Managing Director & Founder of Stress Free

 

Give credit where it's due.  You may reproduce this posting in part, or in full, however please ensure you link back to www.bestressfree.co.uk.

Your Performance, Your Awareness is about you.

 

Today's thought...

 

 

When things seem like they are worse than ever and there is no way out...know that you are right there... right at the breaking point...there is no other way to go but up.

 

Sometimes we give up at the exact moment that change is about to occur for the better. If you know you are doing the right thing, keep going and you will get the results you are looking for."

 

What's Better Today?

 

Baiju Solanki
Your Awareness, Your Performance
www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk

 

Baiju Solanki is a Performance Coach and Stress Free Associate

You can share this thought with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums providing you link it back to www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk and www.bestressfree.co.uk

 

Check out the latest Blogs by Stress Free Founder & Managing Director, Dale Rockell, including confidence tips, cutting cost in business by reducing stress and more, by clicking here .

The Stress Free Team

Article by Allan Johnson-Mwangi, Stress Free Director for Dadtalk

Introduction

Once again the Americans seem to be leading the way in addressing the perils of our so called feral teenagers! As we wrestle with the tyranny of technology, caused by social networking sites, and the general perils of life online, our cousins across the pond are now well versed in the new weapon in the parenting armoury......[read more]

 

 

We're please to be able to share with you the latest press release about Stress Free Founder and Managing Director, Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip, and our work at Stress Free.  Click here to view, and if you'd like to speak with Dale further do let us know.

Kind Regards

The Stress Free Team

Welcome to the June 09 Blog edition of the Stress Free update.

 

As I write (25^th June) this it’s 27º outside and I’d like to know how the adverts can show people sitting outside working on their laptops!  I’ve tried it and can’t see a thing so I’m toasting nicely indoors!!

 

It’s been a couple of months since the last Stress Free update due to the amount of work, a lot of investment time for pending projects which will prove to be very exciting opportunities for Stress Free. 

 

More in due course, however we're please to publish our revised brand statement which succinctly explains what Stress Free is and why, what we do, and how we do it.

 

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Stress Free Brand Statement:

To schools and colleges Stress Free is a PSHE/SEAL specialist providing agile personal, social and emotional development that provides classroom teaching, support & guidance. 

 

Stress Free deliver the PHSE curriculum needs with relevance to the real world by contextualising the content to the audience, through the five objectives of “be safe”, “be healthy”, “enjoy & achieve”, “positive contribution to society” and “economic wellbeing”.

 

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In keeping with the requirements of on-line visibility much of what we’re up to is being posted through the on-line tools including Blogs and Twitter.  Therefore to keep this update as brief as possible and avoid duplication, links have been provided where appropriate, just click to find out more.

 

 

When I talk about Stress Free, be it a discussion to promote our work, providing a motivational speech or Stress Free sessions, I’m really pleased at the common, favourable response I receive to the content, proving to me that the message of Stress Free is one that people of all ages want, and as they tell me, need to hear.

 

I recently worked with Nicola Barratt, Quality Manager of Dunstable College , and John Wild, Student Representative, to plan and deliver a Learner Voice Conference on Friday 19^th June.  Students and Staff from a total of 6 colleges attended to discuss the challenge of engaging future students in the representative role. 

 

It’s always nice to get immediate feedback that your speech has hit the mark with further confirmation from requests to work with other colleges, and there were lively and constructive discussions during the workshops.

 

My thanks to Nicola and John for asking Stress Free to support the Dunstable College event.  I really enjoyed working with you both.  A summary report and pdf of the days’ events, with pictures, will be available in due course.

 

Please do take a look and listen to the latest activities through the links below, and let the Stress Free team know how we can be of assistance and support for your requirements.

 

Kind Regards, Dale

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip

Managing Director & Founder

Blogs

Dale & the Stress Free Team are busy keeping you abreast of the latest that is Stress Free, Confidence Tips and other relevant musings through two Blogs;

 

bestressfree.co.uk  & dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

 

To make sure you’re always up to date add the RSS feed to your emails.  We’ll also be copying these updates into the Stress Free Blog as they’re issued.

 

Podcasts

Dale has been busy compiling podcasts  to bring you the latest that is Stress Free, provide some Stress Free inspiration and Confidence Tips.  Three podcasts are currently available with the latest (003_250609) containing Dale’s interview on DiverseFM, you can listen on-line and download them to you PC to listen at your leisure as often as you like.  And they’re absolutely FREE!! 

 

In due course we’ll be making the Stress Free podcasts available through iTunes.

 

Twitter

Don’t worry about tweeting, why not just use Twitter to stay up to date with what’s going on by following others?  Dale is twittering away (no comments please!), and you’ll also be advised of latest Blog postings and podcasts.  Click here to see Dale’s profile and tweets.

 

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Signing off......

 

As you can see it’s all go here so at Stress Free HQ and we’re very much aware of practicing what we preach!  To close here’s a little inspiration posted by Dale recently on Twitter, “Instead of giving someone a piece of your mind, stop and send them peace from your mind instead. That way everyone benefits. :-)” 

 

Until next time, stay Stress Free and enjoy the summer!

 The Stress Free Ones!

Your Performance, Your Awareness is about you. Today's thought.

 

Whatever you want in life, you must give up something to get it. The greater the value,the greater the sacrifice required of you.

 

There's a price to pay if you want to make things better, and a price you'll pay for just leaving things as they are. Nothing worthwhile comes easily to anyone. Work, continuous work and hard work, is the only way to accomplish results that last.

 

Don't let the fear of change stop you from pursuing your dreams. There is no success at bargain basement prices.

 

You must pay a price for success?

What's Better Today?

 

Baiju Solanki
Your Awareness, Your Performance
www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk & Stress Free Associate

 

You can share this thought with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums providing you link it back to www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk & www.bestressfree.co.uk

Exclusive 2009 Summer Workshops

Kip McGrath Loughton

Monday 17^th to Thursday 20^th August

 

"I have enjoyed all of it and thank you Mr Rockell.  I think I have learnt to listen and behave. Thank you for helping me"  Yr5 Pupil, Essex 2008

 

Stress Free workshops get back to basics to support young people in developing essential personal, social and emotional skills. 

 

Through fun and interactive discussions, games and activities the outcomes of the Stress Free workshops include building self confidence and esteem, coping with change, motivation for the new school year and personal goals and achievements.

 

Limited to 15 participants per day

£190 for all 4 days or £50 per day

9:30 to 12:30

Cost includes all materials and healthy refreshments

 

Participants will receive a personal folder, certificate of achievement* and exclusive Stress Free Kids t-shirt*.  Activities are listed overleaf.

 

"A great programme.  Giving children tools and skills that they can carry with them for life!" Primary Teacher, Luton 2008

Your workshop facilitator  is Dale C. Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip, Life Coach, Managing Director & Founder of Stress Free.  Current Enhanced CRB Disclosure is held.

 

Stress Free work in partnership with schools and colleges to develop and deliver highly effective approaches to PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters initiatives.  Read, listen to and watch more at:

www.bestressfree.co.uk

 

“Stress Free has made me more confident in just being me.” Yr6 Pupil, Essex 2008

 

Register your child now.  Stress Free workshops are also open to children who do not attend Kip McGrath.  Contact Hanna Kluge on 020 8508 2090.

 

*Presented on Thursday 20^th for those undertaking the full week’s activities.

 

Programme Overview 

 

Location:

Forest House, 12 Smarts Lane
Loughton
ESSEX
IG10 4BX (click for directions)

(attendance by STRICTLY by booking ONLY)

 

Monday 17^th August 2009

Session 1:     Personal Challenges – What Causes You Stress?

Session 2:     A Metaphor for Life – Giant Snakes & Ladders

Session 3:     Responsibility & Respect

 

Tuesday 18^th August 2009

Session 1:     Life Changes

Session 2:     Opinion & Perspective

Session 3:     Role Models Part 1 (Creative)

 

Wednesday 19^th August 2009

Session 1:     Role Models Part 2 (Discussion)

Session 2:     What I Have In Common With...

Session 3:     Working with Others - Impossible Jigsaws!

 

Thursday 20^th August 2009

Session 1:     Economic Well-Being & Money Matters

Session 2:     Personal Goals & Ambitions

Session 3:     Presentations, Review, Feedback & Close

A Unique Partnership for Families of

Grays & Stanford Le Hope

A FREE EVENT

 

As families who engage with Kip McGrath Grays and Stanford Le Hope know, we are passionate about providing young people with the opportunity to lead a life of achievement and success.  To further support individual ambitions we are working in association with the Stress Free coaching brand to increase the opportunity for success for young people and adults alike, and are delighted to provide the following event so that you can find out more.

 

Tuesday 16^th June 2009

6.30pm to 8.30pm

East Thurrock Community Association, 77 Corringham Road

Stanford Le Hope, Essex SS17 0NU

 

Light refreshments will be provided and this event is open to all parents and young people whether current users of Kip McGrath services or not.  Please extend our invitation your friends and family.  We promise you will go away inspired and look forward to seeing you.                                          

Rachel Osinaike & Shola Alabi, Kip McGrath

 

About Kip McGrath, Grays & Stanford

An internationally trusted name in the field of private tutoring centres and supplementary education, Kip McGrath Education Centres has over 680 franchises in 20 countries.  Rachel & Shola specialise in professional tuition for ages 6-16 to complement school education in Maths and English, assisting young people to realise their true academic potential at their own pace.  For children at Kip McGrath achievement and success are both rewarding and enjoyable. Our programs offer advanced learning strategies, specialist learning skills for those needing a little extra help and the motivation to succeed.

 

About Stress Free – nurturing potential

Founded by Managing Director and Life Coach Dale Rockell in 2007, Stress Free specialise in supporting schools and colleges to nurture the true potential of personal, social and emotional skills with young people – life skills for a life of confidence, achievement, contribution and enjoyment.  Stress Free is fun and effective for all ages with teachers and parents asking ‘what about us?’  We are pleased to have Dale with us to talk about plans to provide this pioneering support for families of Grays and Stanford Le Hope.  More information is available at www.bestressfree.co.uk.

 

To confirm your attendance please contact Rachel & Shola

stating how many places you require.

T: 01375 675 613   E: kipmcgrathgrays@hotmail.co.uk 

 

 

Stress Free are pleased to have been selected to support two education events in June. 

Stress Free Founder, Dale Rockell is in discussion to provide the opening speech and to support workshop facilitation at the Dunstable College Conference for students and staff on Friday 19th June.

Dale will also be providing two workshops for the whole family at the Harrold Family Day Out in association with North Bedfordshire Schools Trust.  This is a cluster of six schools coming together including Harrold Lower and Harrold Middle Schools to provide fun and activities for pupils and their families.

At the Harrold event, taking place on Saturday 20th June, Dale will be facilitating the following workshops;

Relationships and Money

A fun and interactive family session looking at the connection between relationships and use of money that will leave you and yours Stress Free and better off in many ways!

"What's a Credit Crunch?"

In answer to this common question Stress Free have developed this fun and interactive session for all ages to explain what’s going on how it affects us. “This has to be a DVD!”

To view a copy of the promotional poster click here.

If you know of an event that would like to engage the fun, interactive and highly engaging support of Stress Free, or would like Dale to speak with an audience let us know: hello@bestressfree.co.uk.

The Stress Free Team

“Having experienced an interactive, fun and energetic presentation from Dale at a recent Network Luton  session, I believe I now understand a little better the work he is doing and who might benefit from it. It is also interesting to see how much "sticks" a week after the presentation. I believe our recall is based on how quickly we can apply some of the information and how it was presented to us in the first place. If any of us are in a position to "give back" to society, to act as mentors, role models or guide younger people so that they have self esteem and a sense of purpose then we can start by learning more about Dale's projects.”

Pamela Reek, Partner, Jones and Hall LLP

Posted to LinkedIn May 13, 2009  

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organisation are undertaking a series of events entitled The Spirit of Coaching.

The content will be of interest to everyone whether a coach or just an interest in personal development. You can go to http://www.brahmakumarisuk.blip.tv to see the videos of the first two events, and if you'd like to attend the next event on Sunday 14th June you can click here to register.

Look forward to seeing you there - do come up and say hi.

Kind Regards, Dale

Dale recently undertook a coaching workshop in partnership with Paul Hayward of In Your Dreams Coaching at a special Network Luton breakfast event.  The event was based on Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and provided a unqiue insight into 4 of the habits:

Win/Win, Communication, Sharpening the Saw & Begin with the End in Mind

Here are some of the comments posted on LinkedIn about Dale's contribution to the event:

“It is both rewarding and educational to co-present with Dale. He is thoughtful, inspirational and well organised - a thorough professional. When delivering a dual presentation there is always a concern that your partner will either hijack the audience or, unknowingly, create a difficult situation. Not with Dale. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Dale again, confident that the outcome will be assured."  Paul Hayward

“Dale conceived, developed and delivered an excellent training session for my group that participants enjoyed, valued and what's more moved many to action. The higher-level concepts that Dale was working with were distilled and presented in such a way that participants were able to relate to their own life experiences and easily process. Dale's style of delivery is extremely personal and engaging and whilst he's not afraid of challenging an audience his supportive style means that participants will learn and will not feel excluded or singled-out.”  Steve Whiting, Founder Network Luton

Please feel free to quote this article in part of full, however please do reference the source to www.bestressfree.co.uk & www.dalecrockell-lifecoach.co.uk

No matter what the level your ability is, you have more potential than you can ever develop in a lifetime. Don't think about the things you can't do.

 

Think about the things you can do. There is no such thing as no chance.You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do.

 

There are no limitations to what you can do except the limitations of your own mind. Your range of available choices right now is limitless. Look at things as they can be.

 

Never say never.

What's Better Today?

 

Baiju Solanki
Your Awareness, Your Performance
www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk

 

You can share this thought with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums providing you link it back to www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk and www.bestressfree.co.uk

Personal, social and emotional development cannot be taught, results are achieved when it is facilitated and comes from within. In addition to delivering prescribed facts it needs to be integrated into all educational activities, lessons and the culture.

 

Many teachers tell me that they do not know where to start, and where they do have to deliver such 'lessons' they can't wait to get it over with.  Another challenge seems to be engaging young people for 30 minutes to an hour.

 

While some areas are clearly factual, such as the history and structure of our political system, much of what PSHCE, Every Child Matters and SEAL require is the individual developing an understanding about them as an individual, their contribution to society, and understanding that where we are now in life is a result of what we know through our interaction with others, our upbringing and education. Individuals should also be encouraged to challenge at every point, who knows they may be the one to develop a new financial or political model.  As Dr Stephen Covey states "breakthroughs are always break withs". 

 

However the script for what happens from this moment is yet to be written and need not reflect what has gone before as many can testify.

 

There is considerable press concerning the lack of training for teachers to accommodate these 'subjects'. I have met many who do have ideas, have trained as coaches for their own development and appreciation for an alternate approach, and there are schools that do live the ethos.

 

If teachers haven't undertaken personal development and gained an understanding of themselves, or consider emotional intelligence a bit 'fluffy', facilitation of PSHE, ECM and SEAL will be ineffective.  It's akin to a shop assistant with low confidence being told to make more eye contact with customers without guidance or the desire to do the inner work.

 

This is no different to a belief that any subject is a benefit and highlights the importance of ensuring that all opinions can be shared and discussed in a constructive manner. Debate is just one solution.  For the facilitator keeping personal opinion to oneself is vital unless asked to share their thoughts and experiences by participants.

 

'If you want short term change look at behaviour, if you want long term benefits challenge paradigms.' Dr Steven Covey, Principle Centred Leadership.

 

With a personal background in supply chain management for sales and marketing businesses, standard practice is to outsource what is not a core competence, it makes sense for the education sector to consider the same outside of operational and facility requirements.  Opening the classroom to partners also brings considerable experience from the private, public and voluntary sectors which pupils of all ages love to engage with.  After all they hear parents discuss these issues daily. 

 

Although schools are being asked to deliver these initiatives, thinking outside of the box will pay dividends and engaging a third party partner to specialise in a certain area can bring huge benefits for staff, pupils and parents.  The right partner will naturally have a positive impact throughout the school.

 

My experience of the past two years supporting primary and secondary education, including curriculum planning involvement has, and continues to prove highly motivational and effective for everyone. Now engaged with the UK's first Studio School at Barnfield College, Luton we have a great time getting the development of essential life skills back to basics through discussion and activity.

 

How do we fit this in? Simply by making space in the timetable and staff confirming it makes a difference to them as well as the students.  I have been made aware of schools that want to get this subject over and done with, so schedule one session per week for all classes at the same time.  In this case more harm is being done than good and valuable time wasted unnecessarily.

 

The most common question from pupils in all schools is "how is school relevant to the rest of my life?"  This question is infrequently explored to allow the individual to develop their own understanding and therefore motivation to achieve academically and contribute to the effectiveness of their own and their peers’ education.  This can be through lack of time, the need to achieve lesson plans or lack of know how to facilitate such a discussion that is seamlessly integrated into the subject so that everyone benefits.

 

In fact PSHE, SEAL and ECM and the skills needed to accommodate them can and should be integrated into the entire curriculum and become part of the culture. The result will be increased responsibility, accountability and respect amongst staff, pupils and parents.

 

Personal, social and emotional development for pupils need not be an enigma, with a realisation by schools that they need not do it all on their own. The Buddha summed this up perfectly; "the mind is like a parachute, it works best when it's open".  Einstein stated that "if we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always got".  Remember, the script from this point forward is blank, what you do, say or think next will make a big difference.

 

Dale Rockell is the Managing Director and Founder of Stress Free, working in partnership with schools and colleges to complement existing efforts towards PSHCE, SEAL and Every Child Matters, and pastoral requirements.

 

Please feel free to quote this article in part of full, however please do reference the source to www.bestressfree.co.uk

 

 

Rescheduled from earlier this month Dale will be interviewed on Luton's Diverse FM on Thursday 14th May, 1000 to 1100 speaking about his work coaching and mentoring young people.

To listen go to www.diversefm.com or if you're in the Luton area 102.8FM

Enjoy the show and if you feel inclined let us know your feedback after the show by emailing hello@bestressfree.co.uk

The Stress Free Team

Being of an age which now finds me listening to BBC Radio 4 (that's right 21!), today during a link/promo for the next programme the following was said; "find out why it will cost you more to watch British failure at Wimbledon this year".

If as James Wray is often quoted "intention goes where energy flows" how does anybody stand a chance of success with this media imposed handicap before they even start?

As I was once told by the most pessimistic person I have ever met, "it means I'm never disappointed", well if it means never having aspiration, excitement and passion I'll opt for optimism and the occasional disappointment every time.   This raises the question does a   pessimist live in constant disappointment anyway, and what gives them the right to suppose this towards others efforts?

Admittedly we have a location at Wimbledon named after a player who never set the tennis world alight, is this the best we can do, celebrate 'close but no cigar'?   Is it that 'close' is something most of us can relate to more than success?  This in a world that supports your success so far then wants to see you fail.  

Perhaps if everyone was focused more on their own contribution to society and their personal achievement rather than living through others success, such is the current obsession, we will start to see and appreciate   truly inspirational result's and congratulate rather than dismiss achievements and aspirations.

Dale Rockell MA, MCMI, LCH Dip

Managing Director & Founder, Stress Free

Please share this contribution with your friends, family and colleagues but please ensure you reference back to www.bestressfree.co.uk

Your Performance, Your Awareness is about you.
Today's thought

 

Do you feel worthy of having joy? Do you feel you deserve it? The first step to activating our inner joy is to eliminate the blocks to it. We can start by truly forgiving ourselves and all others.

 

Forgiveness calls for a shift in our perception. It is easier to forgive ourselves and others when we really understand that each of us has always done the very best we knew to do at that time.

"If we don't forgive ourselves for our mistakes, and others for the wounds they have inflicted upon us, we end up crippled with guilt. And the soul cannot grow under a blanket of guilt, because guilt is isolating, while growth is a gradual process of reconnection to ourselves, to other people, and to a larger whole."

-- Joan Borysenko

What's Better Today?

 

Baiju Solanki
Your Awareness, Your Performance
www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk

 

You can share this thought with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums providing you link it back to www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk and www.bestressfree.co.uk

On Friday 13th March Dale made an inspirational and motivational presentation to the Kip McGrath Eastern and London Region Conference, following several discussions with Samina Rashid, Franchisee Luton South and Ambika Pinodoria, Operations & Business Development.

The proposal is to bring the academic skills supplied by Kip McGrath in reading, spelling, english and maths together with the life skill development of Stress Free, adding further value to franchisee service offering for both parents and children already engaged with their services, and those who may not be.

Significant interest was shown following Dale's presentation and Dale has already had a number of meetings with Franchisees individually to discuss the strategy at a local level, as this is very much dependent upon demographics and local markets, with more meetings to come.  Each pilot will be unique and supported by the growing network of Stress Free Associates in fact we will need to acquire further Associates for areas not yet covered.

This is indeed exciting times for both parties and with Kip McGrath about to launch a new look and logo gives us every reason to let people know out these developments.

The Stress Free Team

Please share this news with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums All we ask is you provide a link back to www.bestressfree.co.uk

Your Performance, Your Awareness is about you.
Today's thought

 

If you don't run your own life, someone else will. You're in control of your life to the degree that you make decisions.

 

To control the outcome of anything, you control the action at the point of decision making. If you let others make decisions for you, you give up control.

 

When you control the decisions, you control the actions. Take charge of your life, so there is no longer a need to ask permission of others.

 

When you ask permission,you're giving someone "veto" power over your life. Only you are responsible for your life. Take control and start making those decisions.

 

What's Better Today?

 

Baiju Solanki
Your Awareness, Your Performance
www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk

 

You can share this thought with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums providing you link it back to www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk 

Your Performance, Your Awareness is about you.
Today's thought

 

Your success is not a matter of idle chance, it's a matter of making the right choices. Success is not something you wait for, but rather something you achieve with effort.

 

Things won't turn up in this world until you turn them up. Success is neither magical nor mysterious. The people that truly succeed in the world are the people who look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, they make them. 

 

Don't sit on the sidelines, get in the game. Your access to success has no real limits. The great opportunity in your life is where you are right now.

 

Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity for you. You have grand opportunities all around you. Open your eyes, and you will find it. If you have the desire, you have the power to be successful.

 

Taking continuous action is all that is required.

What's Better Today?

 

Baiju Solanki
Your Awareness, Your Performance
www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk

 

You can share this thought with your friends and reprint it in your blogs and forums providing you link it back to www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk

Welcome to the Stress Free Blog!

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