A social and emotional wellbeing seminar for Years 10 to 12.
WHY THIS SEMINAR EXISTS
You already know it. The Year 10 boy at the back of the hall. The Year 11 girl who stopped putting her hand up in March. The Year 12 student who’s quietly drowning under a feed they can’t switch off.
Today’s students aren’t short on information. They’re short on signal.
Day of Hope is 5 hours of signal. No screens. No fluff. Pen and paper, a quiet room, and a message they don’t get anywhere else.
WHO’S IT FOR
Students in Years 10 to 12. It works across every demographic, every academic band, every postcode. We’ve delivered it in 750 schools.
WHAT STUDENTS WALK OUT WITH
A clear purpose written down in their own handwriting. A way to recognise the noise that’s been steering them. The 4 sub-skills that build hope: grit, optimism, courage, resilience. One specific action they’re taking the next morning.
THE SEMINAR, IN 3 MODULES
Module 1. The power of purpose
Most students shrug when you ask what they want to do. They’ve gone future-blind. The feed shows them everyone else’s highlight reel and they’ve quietly written themselves out of the story.
In this module, students name their character strengths and write a vision they can actually see. Motivation alone won’t shift a Year 10 boy first thing in the morning. Vocabulary will. We give them the words.
They leave with a list of possibilities and a written goal.
Module 2. Jailbreak
The bravest moment in a young person’s life is the one where they decide they will not be defined by their fears or their past mistakes.
Jailbreak shows students how the default thinking gets installed and how to walk out of it. Glen tells the truth about his own story. Students start to see the cycle they’re in and the door they didn’t know was unlocked.
They leave with a tool for resilience they can use that night.
Module 3. Unstoppable
We borrow Google’s idea of moonshot goals and put it in the hands of a 16-year-old.
Hope is the stubborn voice that says something better is waiting, even when the evidence in the room says otherwise. Students hear what’s possible, then write what they’re going for. Teachers and pastoral staff get the same stories so the conversation continues after the seminar ends.
They leave with a moonshot, in their own words, on paper.
WHAT PAST STUDENTS HAVE WRITTEN IN
“Your presentation gave me a physical sensation in my chest: I feel grounded and full, more confident and secure in myself and able to imagine possibilities in my life.”
Year 12 student, PLC Perth.
“I felt really touched by the words you spoke today. I must say any school would be blessed with your wise words and undivided attention you showed in handing that light bulb to young adolescents so that they can brighten their own future.”
Year 10 student, Ipswich Grammar School.
“You’ve probably heard this countless times, but your talk was truly something else. I’ve listened to a number of motivational and inspirational speakers before, but none have had such a lasting impact on me. Thank you so much again for such an inspiring session. It genuinely shifted the way I think about my future and what’s possible.”
Year 12 student, St Catherine’s School, Sydney.
“I just wanted to thank you deeply for the amazing talk you did today at Holy Cross. I am in year 11 next year and never in my life have I experienced such an engaging and hard hitting lecture. Everything you explained about habits, purpose, discipline, failure, talent, and growth really stuck with me. I’ve already started organising it and applying it to my own mindset just like you mentioned. Seriously thank you.”
Year 11 student, Holy Cross College Ryde.
“Thought I’d let you know I’m currently sitting in a cafe and taking some time out to write about everything I learnt from your seminar – I’m thinking about my purpose, my goals, and what I want to achieve, and how I am going to do it. Thank you so much for your words and inspiration, I now have the knowledge and self-belief that I can figure out how I am going to impact this world for the better!”
Year 11 student, Ivanhoe Girls Grammar.
“I can’t show my gratitude enough. You have opened my mind to view the world in ways I didn’t even think existed. I left that room feeling more in control of my life than ever before and I plan on using your words, techniques and strategies and spreading them out through the world. Thank you so much for your awakening a part of me that will strive for hope and for believing in me when nobody else had.”
Year 12 student, Mercy Catholic College Chatswood.
“I have really bad anxiety and am depressed. On some nights I feel like my life is not worth living. I just think about how I’m not worth it, not important. Here’s the thing though. You told us all we were important. That hit home for me that minute. I was holding back tears; to be told you are important is something everyone should be told… not just once but many, many times. I have been called pretty, nice, smart etc. But being called important really hits a heart string.”
Year 10 student, Kingscliff High School.
“A little over a month ago, I found out my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and it really took a toll on me. My self-esteem plummeted, my anxiety levels rose quite drastically and I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything anymore, although these things weren’t just synonymous with what is happening with Dad. I couldn’t seem to pick myself back up and keep looking forward into the future to where I want to be. Hearing your talk to the Grade 11’s and also by you sharing your story with us, I can see that no matter what happens in life, overcoming is possible.”
Year 11 student, Loreto College Coorparoo.
“I just wanted to let you know how inspired I was after you talk. I was in a slump with my mental health. Your speech was the slap to the face I needed to help myself get out of that dark place I had been in. I just wanted to email you express my gratitude for helping me in ways you wouldn’t have known.”
Year 12 student, Catholic College Wodonga.
“Your talk was so so inspiring and I’m not quite sure how to describe the way it made me feel other than bright, like the world wasn’t as dark and gloomy as I thought it was, and I feel like you pushed some clouds away that I didn’t realise were dimming the light. When I left the session, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.”
Year 10 student, Wenona School.
“I’m more than positive you would get heaps of these messages a day but I couldn’t rest knowing I hadn’t let you know this! Your presentation today moved me like no other person I’ve spoken to has. In my life I have struggled and continue to struggle with my mental health and there has not been one psychologist or doctor, who has truly made me feel, that my purpose is right in front of me nor has there been one moment I’ve thought to myself something good will come from the bad right now and that changed after today. Your seminar has given me reason to wake up. I just wanted to let you know there is not a sum of words to put together to describe the change of mind you have enlightened me with today. There have been many times in my life I’ve lost hope and I feel like after today that is something I refuse to ever let myself do again. Thank you so much again for the difference you have made in my life, just by my smile writing to you I know good things are coming.”
Year 11 student, Catholic Ladies College.
We get emails like these every week. We keep them.
HOW IT RUNS IN YOUR SCHOOL
Time. 5 hours, including breaks set by your bell times.
Format. In-person, on your campus, in your hall. We don’t run this online.
Year levels. 10 to 12.
Room rules. Pen and paper. No phones. Total respect, quiet enough to think.
What you provide. An intimate setting, AV, water. We bring the rest.
What you get afterwards. The seminar workbook for every student, plus follow-up resources for your wellbeing team.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Glen Gerreyn, founder of The HopeFULL Institute. Former Young Australian of the Year (Qld, Community Service). 750 schools and counting.
Glen is plain-spoken, direct, and he doesn’t swear to win the room. He leads with story, then strategy. Students sit forward. Staff take notes too.
THE HONEST BIT
Day of Hope is in demand and dates go fast. The earlier you get in touch, the more flexibility you’ve got on dates that fit your year-level calendar. Leave it late and we work with what’s left.
BOOK DAY OF HOPE
Tell us your school, your year level, and the term you’re aiming at. We’ll come back inside the next 2 working days with available dates and a quote.
Email us, call, or use the enquiry form below.
