Every young woman deserves to understand how much they are valued, their worth, strength and purpose, says Andrea Wheatley.
Andrea, at left, is running a course for students at Ōtaki College in the third term called Shinegirl. The course is aimed at giving girls the skills to approach their education, and ultimately their future, with confidence and commitment.
“So many struggle with low self-esteem, hurt, bad past experiences and challenges we face every day, especially in this current generation,” Andrea says.
Shinegirl is an eight-week course with 10 year-9 students participating. It’s run throughout New Zealand and in more than 40 countries. It uses an experiential, practical and inspirational approach, which addresses several key areas: exploring self awareness, personal decision-making, managing feelings, communication skills, self acceptance, personal responsibility, and conflict resolution.
Andrea says she saw a need and she’d previously run Shinegirl in Nelson, so she sought approval to run it at Ōtaki College.
“We have five keen volunteers who have been trained to facilitate it and we’re looking forward to supporting students in our community.”
The course, however, has a cost and Andrea is keen to talk to anyone who might be able to help.
“It would be great to get some financial assistance for this intake and possible future programmes."
• For more information or to offer assistance, contact Andrea Wheatley 021 866 010.
LATEST POSTS
- Dead papers and anonymous letters
- Te Horo bus stop sites confirmed
- Arthur saw nature ‘with eyes of admiration’
- Fundraising allows start for hall strengthening
- Ōtaki abuzz with film festival - Ōtaki Today
- Hall helps to connect and build community
- Plenty of help organisations in times of need
- Di’s QSM for services to community and environment
- Rewi’s story one of adversity in old Ōtaki
- Urban designer poses critical question - What’s the plan for Ōtaki?
- New road evokes memories of apples and steam trains
- A slick and shiny surface signals a ready expressway – almost
- Black ferns 10, NZ Rugby 0 – no contest!
- Let’s think outside the box to solve town’s problems
- A full life for proud dad Sam Doyle
- Helping navigate the crossroads of people’s lives
- Ōtaki could be even greater, if by design
- Sad day for Ōtaki
- White tui takes over in Te Horo tree
- Trust is the price we pay to stop our people dying