PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS

Amrita is excited about her work in schools, as are the teachers and students' that participate in them. Here you can read comments and explore options available for your school.

Should you wish to have these programs in your school please contact us. There are links at the end of this page.

All Amrita's programs are experiential - through story, sharing, questionnaires, drawing and sometimes movement we explore issues that young people face while growing up.

In New Gender Ground we explore what it is to be male and female. The aim is to build bridges in relationship with each other.

With older students we raise issues around friendship, intimacy and sexuality. The content of each program is determined by the readiness of the students.

If you have a topic that you would like covered Amrita offers specially designed programs. She also offers programs for students(or schools) in crisis.

The sessions with the Class 8 students showed their keen desire to know more about each other but they were also nervous about revealing themselves too much.

A very exciting day in which kids were able to open up and talk of themselves and their family relationships. Underneath the excitement and self consciousness was the sense that they could trust the situation and that there opinions would be heard and respected.

A day that has helped our class to move forward socially in a way that will help them in their adolescent world. An excellent day all round.
Tony Martin, Sophia Mundi Class Teacher

THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR LATE PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Creating New Gender Ground
10 to 15 year olds

This program offers understanding about gender differences.

Each gender experiences physical, emotional and mental changes at different times. A mature girl sitting next to an immature boy can demonstrate up to four years difference in maturation.

Girls may develop suddenly both physically and emotionally and often communicate more effectively with each other. Boys sometimes do not catch up to the girls for a couple of years. If they are competitive they can sometimes become insecure and/or frustrated.

At times teasing or bitching can occur which can cause confusion and misunderstanding. This can create discord, a lack of understanding and respect.

By creating awareness we find compassion for each other. This helps the classroom environment to be a supportive .

This experiential process aims to:

* discuss stereotypes of masculine and feminine
* to clarify gender identity,
* open up respectful conversations between boys and girls,
* explore the implications of teasing girls as they develop and snubbing boys who seem immature,
* offer an opportunity for a supportive and caring relationship between the girls and boys...

AND importantly address the issues raised by the group.

Amrita works with the class as a whole. Males and females have separate activities and the circle is divided so they become more aware of themselves within their own gender group.

Boys and Girls Growing Up! (For 10 - 13 year olds)

At this stage of development both boys and girls are not always aware of their changes. They just happen! It can be confusing.

By raising awareness in a variety of different ways young people can feel at ease and integrate what is happening to them.

This program aims to:

* bring awareness to the differences that boys and girls experience at this stage of development.
* assist them in understanding that their changes are unique,
* encourage self-awareness,
* answer questions the boys and girls may have about growing-up,
* open up awkward conversations between the girls and boys about their changing bodies,
* support gentleness and respect for each other in the classroom.

In this program Amrita uses the story Shining Sun and Running Water. This story emphasises the differences in gender while growing up - the physical, emotional and spiritual changes. Set in another culture it also speaks aboutIinitiation.

This program can be offered in separated gender groups.

Girls Growing Up!

If the girls in your class have attended the Girls Growing Up! program with mums it has been useful to the boys to have the following session.

Boys Growing Up!

This time together covers issues about the changing body, how increased testosterone can affect the growing boy, communication, feelings, sensuality and sexuality.

Programs are age appropriate. The boys have some time to discuss issues and ask their own questions.

Gender, Teenage Relationships and Sexuality
For 13 years and upwards

This program aims to offer deeper understanding about gender.

It explores the importance of friendship, safety, self-respect, intimacy and sensuality in early relationships. We open up the conversation around relationship and communication.

It also acknowledges the awakening sexuality of the young person.

Through process, questions and answers we explore personal issues at a deeper level. The depth of the day is to some extent determined by the teenagers' level of maturity, participation, enthusiasm and willingness to be open and honest with each other.

This can also be a on day or half-day program.

This workshop can provide a safe place for sensitive issues to be aired and discussed.

Exploring the issues:

* Understanding gender differences and being compassionate with each other.
* Raises the question - What are teenage relationships for?
* Finding out what safe boundaries are and how to create them.
* Taking responsibility in relating.

Also to:
- offer an opportunity for young people to respectfully discuss fears and feelings,
- make conscious their values,
-focus on body image, self-love and appreciation of the other,
- explore stereotypes of masculine and feminine as presented in the media,
- discusses sexual preference,
-provide understanding about intimacy, sensuality, sexuality and sexual energy,
- offer an opportunity for a supportive and caring relationship between the girls and boys,
- talk about the place of heart felt love in teenage relationships,
- bring awareness and addresses issues and concerns raised by the group

... and much more.

In some situations I work with males and females separately if appropriate.

PICKING UP THE THREADS AND FOLLOW-UP

Teachers are encouraged to remind students of the sentiments expressed towards each other during the group and positively reinforce changed behaviour.

I leave the story I use with the class teacher/guardian and offer personalised follow up material and suggestions if required.

The processes I use during the session can also be repeated with the class.

FUTURE PROGRAMS

Amrita offers annual or bi-annual visits to your school.

A different program is offered each year as students mature. Developmental themes can be expanded and issues that arise deepened.

There are many important conversations to have during the Journey from child to adult.

Together we can create a caring world.

IF I TRAVEL TO YOUR COMMUNITY I ALSO OFFER WORKSHOPS FOR WOMEN - Reclaiming Puberty Rites and Reclaiming First Rites and an Introductory Talk. If the women of your community would like to organise a group please ask someone to contact me.

All programs and her writing are designed to make a difference - to inspire and uplift.

Details about the Youth Centre can be found and if you'd like to invest in our future be supporting it, we'd like to hear from you.

For information about current events, talks and appearances at Conferences go to News.

To order GETTING REAL... about growing up! go to that section of the site and find the order form.