Testimonials

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‘Our Year 9 EAL/D class at Dakabin had the pleasure of hearing Jenny Woolsey, speaker and author, visit our school recently. As our students were studying the book, ‘Wonder’ by R J Palacio, her talk really resonated with us all. It was so inspiring to hear her talk about her experiences with craniofacial differences, very similar to the main character in the book. Her talk was so informative, entertaining and also touching. It really helped our students to make the connection between someone in the real world and the main character, August Pullman. I would highly recommend Jenny as a speaker, particularly for Year 9 students studying the book ‘Wonder’. I know our school is looking forward to hearing her again next year.’ – Dakabin State High School

Testimonials

‘After reading the book Wonder by R J Palacio to our Year 5s we invited Jenny to speak about her and her children’s experiences with their facial difference (Crouzon syndrome). Jenny held the interest of 44 children, most of whom find it difficult to sit still and listen, for a whole hour. She was thoroughly engaging and made these types of conditions real to them. She is real, funny, brave and an inspiration. She has given our students an experience that they won’t forget in a long time.’ – Our Lady of the Way

 

‘We were very fortunate to have a highly respected and successful local author visit Minimbah State School during National Action against Bullying and Violence awareness week. Jenny Woolsey spoke from the heart as she read passionately from her first novel, with characters based on her life experiences. Jenny shared some of her effective strategies with our students during her speech on assembly, motivating many students to take against bullying. It was an extremely valuable opportunity to have such a passionate, kind and caring person share her stories with our students in the hope that her words and novels will make a difference supporting others. Minimbah community thanks you Jenny.’ – Minimbah State School

‘Buddina State School was very blessed to have Jenny come and share her story and that of others living with difference. Each lesson was created age appropriately and the children really enjoyed discovering and celebrating their own personal uniqueness and sameness. Staff were also provided with some very practical skills to work with children with disabilities and managing difference in their classrooms. I highly recommend Jenny’s inclusion story for all schools and their communities.’ – Buddina State School

‘Jenny spoke to my Year 8 class after we finished reading the novel “Wonder”. It was such a great way to wrap up our novel study and reinforce the novel’s message of showing kindness, empathy and compassion to those who are “different”. The students enjoyed hearing stories of what it was like for Jenny growing up with a facial difference, and how she became all the more resilient from dealing with bullies. Jenny’s positivity shone through her presentation, and it was a pleasure to have her with us today!’ – Pine Rivers State High School

 

‘Our school has been blessed to have Jenny visit our school and share her stories and her wisdom and advice for each and every one of us. We can all have times in our lives where we feel a bit down or anxious and Jenny shared some strategies to help us cope through these times.
Jenny spoke with all of the Year 4s, 5s and 6s about her message, ‘It’s great to be different,’ and shared her own personal stories. The students were captivated by this presentation from someone who is credible and has lived and survived, through bullying and judgement. The take away message was: Embrace your difference and be tolerant of others.
The Year 4s also had an opportunity to have Jenny visit their classrooms for a writing workshop, which was based on Ride High Pineapple. The workshop explored feelings of being uncomfortable and anxious, journal writing and then creating students’ own experiences and imagining by designing their own skateboard image.
Thank you, Jenny. I will need to buy some more copies of your books, as they are very popular!’ – Scarborough State School