the circle

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Values influence attitudes and behaviours. In this introductory session, participants are asked to think about what is important to them and the values they will adopt for themselves.

Self-belief and confidence are key factors to dealing with the external pressures young people face. This session encourages participants to develop and maintain a positive self-view.

What defines a good bloke? This session asks participants to challenge traditional and stereotypical views of manhood and develop their own definition of a "good bloke".

Relationships are central to young peoples' identity and sense of belonging. This session addresses issues such as respect and consent to help young people develop and maintain healthy, positive relationships with others. 

Anger and aggression are all too common during adolescence, when young people are motivated by emotions rather than logic. This session helps young people understand what causes their anger and how to deal with it in a positive way.

Life can be confronting and confusing during the adolescent years. This session helps participants to understand their emotions and provides them strategies to develop positive coping skills.

Lack of adequate communication skills can lead young people to feel they are not being heard or that no one understands them. This session works through the mechanics of verbal and non-verbal communication and introduces participants to techniques that help them become better communicators.

Young people are digital natives, however, they don't always consider the wider implications and risks of their interactions with others online. This session gives them an understanding of how social media works and how their online activity can affect their lives now and into the future.

Taking risks is part of growing up. However, it can also present danger when the risk taking is influenced by negative emotions or external pressures. This session helps participants understand why they are taking risks and how to mitigate the potential negative consequences of getting it wrong.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that most young people will have experienced bullying as a victim, perpetrator, or bystander by the time they are in high school. This session helps them understand the roles of those involved in the bullying triangle and what they can do about it.

Young people today are bombarded with images and words telling them what they should look like, at a time when they are most susceptible to these influences. This session breaks down the lie of the perfect body and encourages young people to focus on what their bodies can do, rather than what they look like.

There are some fundamental skills that every young person should be proficient in by the time they leave high school. This session shows participants how manage basic life skills such as cooking a basic meal, washing and ironing clothes, polishing shoes, and tying a neck tie.

Michael has been delivering programs to my school for many years now. I have been in the education system for the last 17 years and can say wholeheartedly that no one has ever delivered programs better then him. His authenticity, passion, and ability to engage and connect with students of all walks of life is second to none.

Michael has lived and experienced many things in his life and is always an open book to the students. He uses his own experiences (good and bad) to help guide some kids through difficult times or experiences they may be facing or currently going through. Michael delivers his message through power point presentations, group discussions, videos, games, and fun activities that get the kids engaged with one another all while building a positive rapport with the students.

We have never had a student pull out before the completion of the program, in fact we have had kids whom I’ve never had any dealings with come and ask me if they could join Michael’s programs as they have heard great things themselves from other students.

Personally after seeing how great Michael connects with the young people, I have reached out for him to mentor my own son who was going through a rough time. My son commented on how easy it was to talk with him and that he wished Michael ran programs in his school.
 

 As a Youthworker in the ACT Public School system, it has been my pleasure sitting in on “The Circle”, a program created and led by Michael. Michael has a quiet confidence and charisma about him that is instantly captivating to the young men who are voluntarily participating in this program at our high school.

The students in our programs have individualised needs. Through his rich life experience and masterful self-reflections of very real and personal experiences, Michael manages to relate to and engage each of these young people in a way that I have not observed previously in their education journey. It is a genuine immersion based on mutual respect held by participants, for participants.

This connection is what allows for the program delivery and content to be so impactful. Concurrently as rapport is established, meaningful conversations are had amongst the circle about life, relationships, loss, trauma, values, safe pathways and positive masculinity - all in confidence. The structure of the lesson is dynamic, and Michael alters the delivery very naturally as the captivation of his audience peaks and wanes.

I haven’t had to propose any behaviour management strategies in the program at all. The responsibility of myself to the program doesn’t extend upon taking attendance and having Carer/guardian notes handed in. Therefore, I am also part of the circle program and feel that I learn from The Circle as a member of staff, and leave every session feeling refreshed. 

Once again, a pleasure to observe and further take part in this program, and I implore any organisation considering working with Michael in The Circle take the summary of my experience as an uncompromising recommendation.
 

What did you like about the program?

* The program was perfect and would definitely do it again. 

* I loved the program. I felt that I could open up. 

* How it teaches to hold your values close and stand true to them.

* We talked about real world issues for men, and how the environment was welcoming, and we were all accepted and listened to.

* I liked everything but my favourite part was being with an array of different people because I usually struggle to talk to new people.
  

* The view of other people and Michael. The way it helped me view thing in another way and helped me with things.

* I liked how Michael let us speak about our feelings and he listened well and gave good advice.

* Michael explained topics easier than most people, making it (for me) easy to learn.

*   I learned how to look deeper into myself and ask questions. Respect for myself and others.