“IIE re-ignites the spark that caused teachers to enter the profession in the first place.”

Nigel Rigby, Director of Education

“It is no exaggeration to state that Investment In Excellence would be the most powerful tool that this government could give to the teaching profession. It would empower and inspire teachers, and unleash a raft of untapped potential which could only benefit schools, communities and their pupils.”

Sue Sayles, UK President

“The IIE curriculum provides educators the tools to enable them to set higher goals for their students, raise the standards for excellence and create an environment that supports each student’s quest for achieving their full potential.”

Dr. Stewart Weinberg, Superintendent

“A number of the staff of the College, including myself, had completed the Investment In Excellence program and were convinced of the value in providing the material to students commencing a University degree. The fact that the program had been adopted by so many leading companies and organisations around the world, amongst them the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants, convinced us that this was a valuable move for our students.”

Justin Walawski, Assistant Dean of the College of Business

“The unique blend of Notre Dame’s philosophy matched with the material covered in Pathways To Excellence creates a forum for an exciting exchange of ideas and an environment for personal growth. We see it as an initiative which will contribute, not only to student development, but also to the College goals and the University’s character and mission.”

Professor Peter Dalimore, Dean of the College of Business

An evaluation of the response of over 50 principals in the United Kingdom showed the following outcomes:

• improved working relationships between staff and pupils

• teachers with higher expectations of pupils

• staff showing greater willingness and confidence to take on responsibility

• staff who have completed the program are less stressed

• increase in morale and self confidence of teaching and non teaching staff

• evidence of greater energy and enthusiasm among staff

• staff are better equipped to cope with change and deal with new initiatives positively and ambitiously

• pupils’ self esteem being raised through changing attitudes of their teachers

• improved pupil behaviour

• changes in culture and ethos where there is a commitment to linking Investment In Excellence outcomes to the development planning process

“The Go For It! course fits in wonderfully with the “Independent Living” syllabus. It encompasses the whole feel of living independently and thinking effectively. The students have loved doing this course and the highest reward for me is seeing them put their new knowledge into practise.”

Debbie Lievense, Teacher

“One of the biggest challenges for our school, and for education in this area, is that so many students have such low expectations and low aspirations for themselves. We have been doing a good job of delivering the knowledge, skills and understanding, which is about 80% of the job, but we feel we have only been getting 20% of the benefits.

I believe Go For It! takes care of the other 20% and that it will open up the other 80% of the benefits. Go For It! enables us to help the students to build a brighter vision of their future, to believe in it and then start to make it happen.”

Ian Boneham, Head Teacher

“It made me realise that it is not the teachers fault if I was failing.”

Student

“My self confidence has improved and I can now set and achieve new goals.”

Amanda, Student

A program that gets results. Interim results from a longitudinal study conducted by Dr Judy Proudfoot of the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College, London, show the following:

“The young people who undertook the three-day ‘Breakthrough To Excellence’ course reported feeling significantly more hopeful about getting a job and experiencing less mental strain than the youngsters who did not receive the course”.

“The response to Breakthrough was extraordinary. The parents and governors in the school say that they have noticed a difference in their youngsters, and we are pleased to see staff queuing up to be a part of it.

Our priority as a school is to encourage effective learning in young people. If that is your priority, then you seek the best way of doing it.

Breakthrough and Investment In Excellence seem to match that requirement.”

David Howard, Head Teacher

“Last year we had our best year yet – school dux, runner up dux, head boy and head girl, subject winners as well as 5 gold medals from a graduate of the Excellence program who competed at the Sydney Para-Olympics – Paul Barnett.

But they were only part of the joys in being the facilitator at Mt Lawley. We also gave out two scholarships to students so that they could attend.

This has continued in 2001 due to the generosity of our parent benefactors who think so highly of the program that they want other students to have the chance at EXCELLENCE their daughter had.”

Warren Daniel, Teacher

“Many staff report the course has given them the opportunity to examine their personal goals and aspirations – the opportunity to turn one’s career around.

The sense of unity and purpose the program has brought to our school has been tremendous. Academic excellence is part of the School Ethos and the program has provided a major stimulus towards achieving this goal throughout the school community.

In these times of rapid change I would highly recommend the program as a vehicle for any organisation to use in establishing a clear direction towards the attainment of identified goals.”

Graeme Smith, Principal

“Reminded me of why I wanted a career in teaching all those years ago.”

Susie McDonald, Teacher