Two seminars in one day at Scotch College, Perth. 30 students put pen to paper and emailed us afterwards. A sample of what landed in our inbox.
The room
A few hours after the seminar, an email arrived from a Year 11 student at Scotch College. He’d walked in that morning with a dream of becoming an international human rights lawyer that was, in his words, barely there. He’d talked himself out of it. He walked out wanting to chase it again.
He wasn’t the only one. 30 students wrote in over the days that followed, most of them with the work already started.
On 16 October 2025, Glen spent the day at Scotch College in Swanbourne, Perth. Two seminars, two year levels: Brilliant Young Mind with Year 11, and The Leadership Effect with Year 12. Pen and paper, no phones, a hall full of boys.
Brilliant Young Mind puts study back in students’ hands in an age of digital distraction. The Leadership Effect starts where leadership actually starts, with leading yourself. Both end with something written down: a study system, a goal on the wall, a statement of purpose.
In the days that followed, the emails came in. They’d taken action. Here are some of them.
2025, one school day
seminars, Years 11 and 12
no phones in the room
students wrote in
In their own words
This is some of the feedback that came in…
Theme 1. From a fading dream to a plan
“I entered your talk with my once-held dream of becoming an international human rights lawyer barely there, as I was filled with self-doubt and believed it was too crazy. By the end of the session, I was excited and motivated for my future, my goals, and to actually chase that dream. Thank you for pushing me that one decimal place over, to believe that I can do it.”
Year 11 student, Scotch College
“The presentation you gave at my school was really empowering, and provided great clarity around concepts such as drive and purpose. In particular, the idea of manufacturing your own opportunities has really stuck with me.”
Year 12 student, Scotch College
— Year 11 student, Scotch College
Theme 2. They turned the talk into a plan
“Your talk has really inspired me. I find it hard to focus in study and sometimes to get motivated, but your speech has given me lots of strategies and especially motivation to improve my life. Since your talk I have made a timetable that includes study, my part-time job, running twice a week, and gym 3 times a week. I am also setting goals that will help me get out of bed faster.”
Year 11 student, Scotch College
“Some of your tips and tricks really inspired me to create a day-to-day schedule and an action plan for the next 2 years. I have set my goals across all aspects of my life, including rowing, academic and uni.”
Year 11 student, Scotch College
— Year 12 student, Scotch College
Theme 3. The habits they cut and built
“Thank you for the talk today, it had me engaged for the entire 90 minutes. Even though I probably wouldn’t admit it in public, I feel like I needed advice of that kind, to be honest. After this speech, I have deleted TikTok, as well as found a mate to keep me accountable. I’m also currently working on a vision board.”
Year 12 student, Scotch College
“I really liked the speech today and found it really inspiring. It was the spark of motivation that I needed to help me get back on the right path.”
Year 11 student, Scotch College
Theme 4. What stayed with them
“Truly a moving speech, and I know me and many of the boys took your message to heart and will work towards achieving our goals. Many of your nuggets of wisdom have given me ideas on how I can improve myself to reach them.”
Year 11 student, Scotch College
“Your presentation was amazing and inspiring, and I’m so glad I got to hear it, because I feel it has already helped me and will continue to.”
Year 12 student, Scotch College
— Year 11 student, Scotch College
What this feedback tells us
Three things worth noting, for the teacher reading this.
Purpose needs permission, not pressure.
A Year 11 boy walked in with a dream he’d talked himself out of. He walked out chasing it. Give a senior student language for purpose, and they stop hedging on what they actually want.
They turned the talk into a timetable.
Study schedules. Action plans across rowing, academic and uni. A 30-day checklist. A daily reading habit. A deleted app. The action arrived in days, not term.
No one set the homework.
30 students wrote in unprompted, most with the work already started. No teacher assigned it. No one chased it. That’s the signal we’re looking for. Compliance doesn’t send emails. Connection does.
From a student
“In all my years at school, you have been the guest speaker who has had the most profound impact on me. My project is to achieve a 96 ATAR so I can get into law at UWA. I have printed out your 5-minutes-a-day reading calendar and started today, on a book about the Cold War. I wouldn’t have taken this step if it wasn’t for what you said.”
Year 11 student, Scotch College, by email after the seminar
About the work
Brilliant Young Mind
A 2-hour seminar on learning in an age of digital distraction. Glen names what’s actually stealing students’ focus and hands them the vocabulary for grit, growth mindset, flow and mindfulness. They walk out with an honest read on how they study, a daily routine in their own handwriting, a way to manage the device that’s been managing them, and an ATAR or grade goal on the wall. Built for Years 10 to 12.
The Leadership Effect
A 1-hour seminar for student leaders that starts where leadership actually starts, with leading yourself. Glen works through the Power of Purpose from a leadership lens, so students can answer three questions before they answer them for anyone else: who am I, why am I here, and where am I going. They leave with a written statement of purpose for their year of leadership and a clear sense of the difference between the title and the role. Built for prefects, captains and senior leaders in Years 10 to 12.
About Glen
Glen Gerreyn is the founder of The HopeFULL Institute. Former Young Australian of the Year (Queensland, Community Service). 750 schools. More than 1 million young people. He’s based in Brisbane, a father of 4, and a lifelong student of human flourishing. He leads with story, then strategy. He doesn’t swear to win the room.
Glen Gerreyn
Founder, The HopeFULL Institute
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