TESTIMONIALS / SUCCESS STORIES
Student Testimonials
“Thank you Bee. I really enjoyed the programme and feel I have become more confident and less self-conscious because of the programme. My life is looking up again.” – TY Student, Mar 2013 “I thought it was really good and an important part of life that is never really discussed in school so it was great that we got the chance.” – TY Student, Nov 2011
“I found it very interesting and looked forward to class every Monday.” – TY Student, Jan 2013
“It was a great help. Teenagers these days can be very negative and are in desperate need of a push in the right direction, to be told how to be happy and that you can achieve your dreams. Try your programme on 5th and 6th year students too. Thank you I had a good time.” – TY Student, Nov 2011
“It would benefit 3rd and 6th years A LOT!” – TY Student April 2013
“I think it is a great idea to get teenagers to think positively because they have a tendency to think negatively and moan.” – TY Student March 2013
“Bee was really nice and great but it would have liked more time to spend with her over 10 weeks.” – TY Student April 2013
“Thank you very much for the course. I really loved it and it really helped me to think positively as I have anxiety and mental health issues lately. I really found the class to be my favourite each week and it’s been one of the first things in a while to me feel happy. Thank you so much!” – TY Student, April 2013
Individual Student Success Stories
(Names have been changed to protect the identity of the students.)
Nicole age 15
Nicole age 15, initially came across as a confident young lady in the first week of the programme saying “My life is perfect, I don’t need to change anything” and assured us she didn’t need or want to set any goals for the following 3 weeks. Her turnaround, however, was amazing. When we reviewed the programme in week 4, her friends, family and class mates had noticed she was much more positive and happy than she had been for a long time. Nicole secured herself a part-time job 3 weeks into the programme. The success of this, Nicole felt, was due to her happier and positive attitude when doing a one day trial with her new employer.
Joe age 15
Joe is a quiet shy 15yr old student and I observed his shy body language from week one and as a result Joe was not interactive within the group until week 3. On review of the programme in the last week Joe openly communicated to the class that he felt more self-confident, positive and had increased his communication with his peers within Transition Year. He personally shook hands with me on the last day and said “Thank you Bee, I have never had tears of happiness in my eyes until today.” The more confident positive Joe is now well placed to maximise his educational results without the barrier of shyness which was a limitation before the course.
Tina age 16
Tina age 16 was accompanied with a SNA for her time during the PALS programme and after week 1 the SNA reported back to me on a marked improvement with Tina’s outlook. Tina enjoyed each week and interacted well with all the activities and exercises. She reported back to me on week 4 that she suffers with anxiety and enjoyed feeling more positive. She said this was one of the first things in a long time to make her feel happy!
David age 16
David age 16. During a class discussion about using the power of your thoughts to create positive outcomes in our lives, David asked me a question. “So Bee, are you saying that if I just believe in something in a positive way I can create it in my life?” I replied “ Yes of course David, that is how it works but you require real self- belief and commitment.” He then asked “So, if I wanted to become Student of The Year will I?” I replied saying “If you want this to truly happen and you are committed to the belief that you deserve this award, well then there is every possibility that you will receive this award.” I am delighted to say on 22nd May I witnessed David being nominated for Student of the Year with 9 other students out of the entire student body at the school. To immense joy I was delighted when David was announced as the winner! While congratulating him afterwards he said “Bee it really works. This was because of the PALS programme. The course gave me the belief and confidence to make it happen with my positive words and thoughts. Thank you!”
To Whom It May Concern
24th May, 2013
We are delighted to recommend the PALS programme which has been piloted here at RatoathCollege.
We initially embraced the programme to see if it would be of value to our students in preparing for the Leaving Cert programme. Like all schools, we have concerns to ensure that our students reach their greatest potential in exam preparation years. We believe that the positivity contained in this programme would be of value to our students achieving success in the areas of self-confidence and self-belief. The success of PALS is due to several factors. Bee approaches the area of mental well-being from a positive, assertive, fun and empowering perspective, which we know the students relate well to. We know the students enjoy doing something different, without initially realising the positive effects for them personally. Feedback from both the students and the teachers involved has been phenomenal, showing measured positive results on an both an individual and group basis within Transition Year. We will be running with this programme again for our incoming Transition Year Students and plans are under way to extend the programme throughout the school with particular focus on exam year students in 3rd and 6th year and also our incoming first year students for 2013. We are delighted to be part of this innovative programme and look forward to seeing more positive results with all our students in the near future
Yours sincerely,
Maire Ni Bhroithe,
Principal,
RatoathCollege,
Co.Meath.
To Whom It May Concern
May 2013
A Co.Meath Life and Business Coaching company, What Will Be With Bee, approached us in September 2011 to discuss delivering their PALS programme to our Transition Year Students. Bee Flanagan was known to us in the school as she had run several evening courses in RatoathCollege in the past in areas of personal development and positivity. Bee delivered a pilot programme with our TY students in 2011/2012 and this was a great success. It was decided to run with this programme again for our current 2012/2013 Transition Year Students.
The evaluation forms from the students were written testament to how much they enjoyed the programme. It was also noted then, that some students even mentioned they would like it as part of the curriculum going forward for 5th and 6th year.
The programme provides the students with an opportunity to develop themselves personally around the areas of self-confidence, assertiveness and positivity, skills which are all important in preparing our exam students for their leaving cert. The students really enjoyed the team activities too, which allowed them to show off their fun and entertaining personalities.
PALS sits well into the CSPE section of Transition Year and Bee runs the programme over a 4 week period in a double CSPE class. The students have weekly action plans to carry out in areas of positive communication. Bee also provides them with a gratitude journal at the beginning of the programme and the students are encouraged to use this for making notes in the class over the four weeks.
Transition Year is the perfect opportunity to bring PALS into the school however we have now decided to deliver it for our exam year students and incoming first years.
I can highly recommend this programme for Transition Year as I can see the immense benefit it has been to our students as they prepare for their leaving cert.
Yours sincerely
Paola Cullen
Transition Co Ordinator Ratoath College
Co.Meath
To whom it may concern,
May 2013
Bee Flanagan delivered her PALS Programme recently to our Community Champions for our stores nationwide. The programme focused on empowering the participants in their roles as Community Champions in a positive and assertive way through effective communication.
The overall presentation was delivered in a positive professional manner and Bee connected immediately with all the participants. The participants felt at ease with Bee and enjoyed a very uplifting productive and fun afternoon.
Feedback from the participants was very positive across the board and I myself enjoyed taking time out of my day to day routine to do this programme. The participants enjoyed connecting with each other and felt they experienced both personal and professional development.
We have recommended PALS to other organisations and would highly recommend Bee to any group or organisation looking to bring about positivity and motivation to both staff and clients.
Yours sincerely
Michelle Mahon
Corporate Responsibility Manager, TESCO Ireland.
Tesco Ireland,
May 2013
I liked the group session working together and getting ideas for our Mission Statements. Everyone should do a programme like this as it highlights how we set our goals and aim to achieve them.
Community Champion, Tesco Ireland.
Tesco Ireland,
May 2013
I told my managers how beneficial I found the PALS Programme. It was very interesting and time flew by. I now feel more assertive and positive. I now say no with a positive attitude when necessary. Thank you Bee for making the course so interesting.
Community Champion, Tesco Ireland.
Tesco Ireland,
May 2013
Bee delivered her PALS Programme to the Tesco Community Champions recently. I am a very shy person and it really helped me with my self-confidence. In my role in work I have been fearful about saying no and this has caused me stress. I know feel much better asserting myself both personally and professionally. Thank you so much Bee.
Community Champion, Tesco Ireland.
Tesco Ireland,
May 2013
I would highly recommend Bee’s PALS Programme to everyone! It helps you move forward and be proactive. The honesty in the group during the course was great. It was a super opportunity to connect with each other and discover new things about our team. The time management exercise was hugely beneficial. Great afternoon of positivity and empowerment. Thank you!
Community Champion, Tesco Ireland.