Testimonials
Letters:
I have been at Berengarra for just over 18 months. Before I found Berengarra I was a school refuser, I would go to school maybe 2 half days a week at the most. I would lye in bed and refuse to get up. I hated school so much, it felt like a prison to me. I would cry myself to sleep thinking that the next day I would have to go to school. I would cry when I woke up and fight with my parents for about 2 hours before they finally gave up. I wouldn't get out of bed all day my life was just sleep, eating and crying. I was at my 2 nd High School and there was still no change, school felt like it was a chore, it felt like a prison to me. I used to shut out the world, and just live in my bedroom. I shout out friends and shut out the whole world, and when I went out I still shut everything out. I used to wear guys clothes, huge baggy jeans, huge shirts, huge jumpers with hoods, and a beanie. Then my parents stumbled across Berengarra. They thought it sounded too good to be true, so we went for an interview. It looked really good, like it could really help me, so we gave it a shot and I started that week. From then on I only have got better. I now attend school every day, heave heaps of friends and don't shut people out. On the weekends I go out and socialize instead of sleep my life away, yeah, I still have my lazy days, but I'm a teenager, what teenager doesn't? The things that Berengarra does that no other school does are just simple things that make a huge difference. Such as the teachers are on a first name basis, this means that they seem more like your friends than your superiors, yeah they are superior and have authority but they don't use it as a weapon. They don't expect to be respected they will earn you respect; you have to earn their respect the same. It just makes things an even playing field for everyone and makes it a much more relaxed environment. Also one of the big things they do is their motto ‘muck up, fix up' this means that if you muck up, you fix it and then it's over with. No more said, with at normal school I have found that teachers hold a grudge and don't forget things, but at Berengarra they do, they go yeah you mucked up, but you fixed up so we are square and no more is said about the issue. Basically me and both my parents believe that if we hadn't found Berengarra, I would have killed myself, so what I say, Berengarra is a lifesaver, I really mean it! Laura 30/5/05 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Before attending Berengarra, I was in a pretty bad situation: my family was destitute, and I was borderline homeless, as my mother (I am from a single parent family) had severe, untreated depression and a chronic illness and could not support me. Instead of going to school, where I was bullied intensely by other students and teachers, I did my best to look after my mum and the house, to no success and at the expense of 3 years of my education. I attended only 3 days of Year 8 in 1998: later in that year, I was referred to Berengarra. I changed dramatically by attending Berengarra: I'm sure I couldn't be where I am today if I had not gone there. I began at the school as a very damaged, very troubled girl and left with the makings of the confident woman I am today. In my life, I've had to overcome many things: poverty, depression, chronic illness and social stigma. The year and a half I spent at Berengarra was the start of something better - looking back, the school crest - a young phoenix - comes to mind. In it, I see myself. Gwendolon - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hi Mark- feel free to use this whenever/wherever you like. I sent a bright happy child to school and watched helplessly as his self-esteem eroded to a learning difficulty. At secondary school my son's confidence was so completely destroyed that he was having panic attacks at the thought of attending school. Various professionals advised completely inappropriately ‘help' such as “tough love”, “extra homework”, or mother blamed: I was told I hadn't exposed my child to enough language – I am an author and have read to all of our children since birth. I also have four older, tertiary educated children who have read to their younger sibling. After almost a term of ‘school refusal' I took my son to Berengarra. Despite seeing several professionals, none recommended Berengarra but I had edited “Choosing a School four You Child” and wondered – could this be the answer? Indeed it was! Now, I have my confident son back, AND he has developed literacy skills. These days he wouldn't dream of missing school and is able to support other anxious students. Thankyou Berengarra teachers for your understanding and support. Parent Letter Pinky Mckay - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I came to Berengarra because I was really struggling with authority at my previous school, and I got involved in things that were stupid and I made lots of bad decisions and always misbehaved. Being at Berengarra these past few weeks have changed me allot because I have seen the kind of people that I easily could have turned into if I continued with that behaviour I displayed at my old school. At Berengarra I feel a lot more calm about going to school knowing that my teachers aren't “out to get me” or anything like that and that the spotlight isn't put on me as the BAD KID like it was before. The best thing about Berengarra is that I feel a lot more comfortable and relaxed and I actually enjoy going to school and now that I rarely get into trouble anymore I know that there's a purpose going rather than going to cause trouble or getting myself into trouble. Next year I will be leaving Berengarra to go to either Emmaus College or a different school around my area. Kate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I came to Berengarra because I got into a fight with another student and I was swearing and I kept getting sent home for swearing at other students. My work was good but my behaviour towards other students was unacceptable. I had trouble making friends with people. I have worked on making changes to help me such as my language towards people and I have worked on accepting people for who they are. I have become more patient and calm. I have worked on making friends and staying out of fights. For me the best thing about Berengarra is that everyone is friendly and they accept me for who I am. It is small school so it is easy to get along with everyone because everyone hangs out with everyone. I would have to say making friends and improving my school work has been the best thing, they have always accepted me for who I am. Next year I am going to TAFE and here part time. Rowan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What brought me to Berengarra was that I couldn't go into a mainstream school and survive, because I was disruptive and always wanted to stuff around, and never do work. I tried, at Pembroke, and failed miserably. Berengarra has helped me so much with my life, I have turned it all around in the time I have been here. If someone had told me that I would be starting at St. Josephs in 2008 I would have told you that you are very, very wrong. All the teachers here have supported me in my journey, and I am very grateful for it. I have even got a job now and I would be very incorrect in saying that it was all my work, and not anything to do with being here at Berengarra. Matt |
