I am the New Zealand programme manager for Enlighten Education, offering in-school workshops to girls around New Zealand. Enlighten Education's programs help teenage girls decode the mixed messages they receive and help them develop self-esteem and confidence. Our programs are designed to be delivered in schools and are targeted at girls aged 12-18. We cover everything from helping girls discover their own inner beauty, to managing friendships and even developing business plans. Enlighten encourages girls to reach their own conclusions and to know their own minds. Rather than telling girls what to do, we focus on informing, inspiring and empowering them. We encourage girls to be discerning consumers and critical thinkers and to find their own voice and power in a complex world. To find out more about Enlighten Education for your school, please click here.
Feedback From Rachel's Enlighten Education Programmes:
Rachel set a great scene and her enthusiasm was infectious. The girls loved her and she was real. I enjoyed being part of the day and have reignited my passion for girls’ issues particularly around body image. We are so much more than a number, e.g. weight, body measurement, dress size, etc. Kate Casey, Guidance Counsellor, Pinehurst School, North Shore
Thank you so much, this day has been wonderful. I’ve been inspired. I’ve laughed and I've almost cried. I’ve just had a great time being a girl. Thank you Rachel. Niamh, Year 10
I have learnt so much today – to be proud of who I am, to know that I am special in my own way, to walk tall and let no one knock me down, to not always compare myself to others and to not believe everything I see in advertisements. Today was really great and it taught us all to love, care and appreciate ourselves. Thank you! Alexia, Year 10
I liked all the workshops because they were all really inspiring, funny and great. Rachel was amazing. She was inspiring and full of love but not cheesey and you could tell that the girls all really respected her. It was the best thing I have ever been to. Marika, Year 10
Rachel, you are a lovely teacher – you made us laugh and taught us about lots of different things that are important to us. You inspired me, thank you. Tearna, Year 10
I loved all of today, it really inspired me. It is a great programme, I learnt heaps and I am slowly learning to respect myself for who I am and I hope this inspires other girls. Jemma, Year 10
From the moment I walked in the hall this morning I knew that it was going to be fun. Today opened my eyes about what beauty really is and I feel so much better about myself now. I will grow older with the memory of that day kept firmly in my mind and heart. Thank you for this day Rachel, it was amazing. Sarah, Year 10
I loved everything about today. Rachel you made everyone feel beautiful. You inspired me to not have to live up to fake models, to be myself and be happy with myself the way I am. Jess H, Year 11
It was a great day. Thank you so much Rachel, you were amazing and you inspired me to be myself because I am truly beautiful. Anon, Year 11.
I loved everything today. It was amazing. I learnt that I am good enough. Wow! Thank you so much! Julia K, Year 11
I thought today wouldn’t be any good but it was awesome as!! I loved everything about today, it taught me how much of a real person I am and how magazine photos are fake. I learnt how to give more respect to myself. I would recommend this programme to others because it is fun and all us girls are going through the same thing. Nina, Year 11
Today I learnt that looks aren’t everything and that it’s not embarrassing to keep a journal. Rachel you really do fill in everything a girl needs to know, you are very inspiring and a great role model. Thank you! Casey, Year 11
The best part of today was that I learnt how to love who I am. Sam, Year 11
Today I learnt that I am beautiful. I had so much fun and Rachel is awesome and so full of energy! Portia , Year 11
My favourite part of today was learning about models – I needed someone to tell me the truth. I love how your rules for sorting out friendship problems justified mine – I wasn’t too far off-track! I learnt that I am beautiful. It was a privilege to get such an awesome lesson in life. Thank you! Annabel, Year 11
I thought today would be long and repetitive but Rachel blew my expectations out of the water! I learnt that I am special. Thank you! Hugs! Yasmin, Year 11
I learnt that I am not the only one who feels insignificant and insecure. I learnt that we are all beautiful and that we need to stand tall and be confident. Today was so motivating and inspiring! Katie, Year 11
Feedback From Rachel's Enlighten Education Programmes:
Rachel set a great scene and her enthusiasm was infectious. The girls loved her and she was real. I enjoyed being part of the day and have reignited my passion for girls’ issues particularly around body image. We are so much more than a number, e.g. weight, body measurement, dress size, etc. Kate Casey, Guidance Counsellor, Pinehurst School, North Shore
Thank you so much, this day has been wonderful. I’ve been inspired. I’ve laughed and I've almost cried. I’ve just had a great time being a girl. Thank you Rachel. Niamh, Year 10
I have learnt so much today – to be proud of who I am, to know that I am special in my own way, to walk tall and let no one knock me down, to not always compare myself to others and to not believe everything I see in advertisements. Today was really great and it taught us all to love, care and appreciate ourselves. Thank you! Alexia, Year 10
I liked all the workshops because they were all really inspiring, funny and great. Rachel was amazing. She was inspiring and full of love but not cheesey and you could tell that the girls all really respected her. It was the best thing I have ever been to. Marika, Year 10
Rachel, you are a lovely teacher – you made us laugh and taught us about lots of different things that are important to us. You inspired me, thank you. Tearna, Year 10
I loved all of today, it really inspired me. It is a great programme, I learnt heaps and I am slowly learning to respect myself for who I am and I hope this inspires other girls. Jemma, Year 10
From the moment I walked in the hall this morning I knew that it was going to be fun. Today opened my eyes about what beauty really is and I feel so much better about myself now. I will grow older with the memory of that day kept firmly in my mind and heart. Thank you for this day Rachel, it was amazing. Sarah, Year 10
I loved everything about today. Rachel you made everyone feel beautiful. You inspired me to not have to live up to fake models, to be myself and be happy with myself the way I am. Jess H, Year 11
It was a great day. Thank you so much Rachel, you were amazing and you inspired me to be myself because I am truly beautiful. Anon, Year 11.
I loved everything today. It was amazing. I learnt that I am good enough. Wow! Thank you so much! Julia K, Year 11
I thought today wouldn’t be any good but it was awesome as!! I loved everything about today, it taught me how much of a real person I am and how magazine photos are fake. I learnt how to give more respect to myself. I would recommend this programme to others because it is fun and all us girls are going through the same thing. Nina, Year 11
Today I learnt that looks aren’t everything and that it’s not embarrassing to keep a journal. Rachel you really do fill in everything a girl needs to know, you are very inspiring and a great role model. Thank you! Casey, Year 11
The best part of today was that I learnt how to love who I am. Sam, Year 11
Today I learnt that I am beautiful. I had so much fun and Rachel is awesome and so full of energy! Portia , Year 11
My favourite part of today was learning about models – I needed someone to tell me the truth. I love how your rules for sorting out friendship problems justified mine – I wasn’t too far off-track! I learnt that I am beautiful. It was a privilege to get such an awesome lesson in life. Thank you! Annabel, Year 11
I thought today would be long and repetitive but Rachel blew my expectations out of the water! I learnt that I am special. Thank you! Hugs! Yasmin, Year 11
I learnt that I am not the only one who feels insignificant and insecure. I learnt that we are all beautiful and that we need to stand tall and be confident. Today was so motivating and inspiring! Katie, Year 11
