Boys Forward

March 2005

"A most informative afternoon, presented in a refreshing, light-hearted manner. [This is particularly relevant at the end of a long, frantic day.] Ian struck a good balance of warm realism when involving the audience in the brainstorming of boys' strengths and weaknesses. He imparted optimism for the future of boys' education and equipped us with achievable strategies as educators. I felt this presentation by Ian was founded on respect - respect for boys, respect for their families, their schools and their educators. Not judgmental, not pessimistic, not patronising. I'm glad I went. I'll certainly be visiting the web site for follow-up PD."

Marilyn Gordon

March 2005

"I could really identify with the thoughts Ian shared. Many ideas rang true as I have a 12 year old son and there are subtle differences which were identified on a conscious level yesterday by Ian. Also noticed/observed in class.  The sheer volume of repetitive homework from Year 7 on can be a source of major concern...frustration levels. Resentment and/or a "resigned tiredness" sets in. There is a real need for boys to charge around madly and be physically close to loved ones with whom to talk things over, hug, wrestle, or just.....be close."

M. Jackowski

September 2004

"The problems with boys and schools fill the media.  Problems there certainly are.  But there are also answers, lots of them.  Ian Lillico seems to have found many of those answers. 

Staff at St Augustine's College, an independent all-boys school in Cairns, have found great merit in Ian Lillico's strategies for understanding boys, for promoting their development, and for engaging them in learning.  His research, his writings and his workshops deliver outcomes that are accessible, well-founded, and which work. 

Here is someone who can provide teachers and parents with some very welcome ways forward for their students and sons."

Br Michael Green

September 2004

Ian Lillico is a compelling and credible presenter.

We know we're getting it wrong for boys, but what can we do?

Ian Lillico's extensive research provides us with many strategies that we may use as teachers and as parents. Sometimes we continue blindly in our practices because we don't know what we don't know. Ian is able to hold a mirror up to these practices and enable us to critically examine our behaviours and our roles.

Our school has critically re-examined our approaches to Behaviour Management as a consequence of attending his workshops.

It's not just about more effective schools, it's about building better societies.

Tom Hardy

June 2003

A fantastic 2 hour lecture which inspired and offered practical advice to manage boys but, more importantly, to enhance their learning environment. Practical advice related to environment, teaching methods, strategies to manage and modify behaviour and make learning a more pleasant environment for both child and teacher. A reminder about the great job we do as teachers, but small ways to make more of a difference.

Alexandra Scott
Teacher
St Heliers School
Auckland

June 2003

Over 160 teachers, teacher aides and preservice teachers, from both secondary and primary schools, attended the recent full day seminar presented here at Harristown State High School by Ian Lillico.

The feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive, with most commenting that they felt more confident and inspired about teaching boys.

Typical of the comments were:
‘(The day) refocussed my thoughts on how to ensure all students achieve in the classroom̵
‘Interesting, stimulating and thought-provoking for the modern educator’
‘The day was a day of inspiration and affirmation’.

Ian gains credibility with the audience because he uses current educational research (his own and others), practical observations and has years of experience as an educator and a parent. Above all he demonstrates a genuine interest in helping teachers and parents to better understand the actions and motivations of young people and ways they learn best.

We came away with practical strategies to use straight away, with research and understandings that can be used as the basis for developing new practices and strategies, and with a reaffirmation of the vital role that good teachers and good teaching practice have in the development of a learning community for the future.

Carol James
Deputy Principal
Harristown State High School

May 2003

Ian’s seminar was the best in-service I have attended in 22 years. His advice was practical, very interesting and easy to connect with everyday teaching experiences. Every teacher and parent of boys should have the opportunity to listen to Ian. I know I will be a better mother and teacher for having this opportunity. Thank you.

Karen Campbell
Teacher and Parent
Bli Bli State School

May 2003

I wish I had done this seminar years ago. Simple answers to ongoing questions that now give real context and understanding to my work as a teacher.

Margaret Honeywell
Teacher
Caloundra State High school

May 2003

Ian’s presentation was professional, very easy to be involved in, relaxed, good humoured, relevant, realistic and helpful. He is knowledgeable and practical in sharing information and knows what he is talking about. He also has practical ideas, solutions and strategies. I actually thought it would be irrelevant and hard to sit through before I came here but I found it quite the opposite. Thanks Ian. A day was too short.

Raelee Cannon
Teacher and Parent
Nambour Special School

May 2003

For sometime I have been studying the whole concept of homophobia as the main definer of masculinity..ie…boys grow up believing that to be a male means not to be “gay”. It is a very negative way to develop a male identity. Ian’s talk covered this so well. His practical and entertaining presentation served to portray a positive concept of maleness in all its variety. I highly recommend all teachers and decision makers in education become fully in what Ian Lillico has thoroughly researched…..PLEASE.

Stephen De Weger
Teacher
St Luke’s
Capalaba

May 2003

I’m not sure specific elements impacted upon me, but the overall presentation from someone who not only knows his subject, but has first hand experiences, was wonderful. Ian has that gift to be able to keep an audience interested with information, examples and solutions to a genuine concern in our schools. As a parent and educator, I strongly recommend anyone involved in the overall education of boys attend Ian’s presentations.

Allan Matheson
Teacher and Parent
Aldon Tutoring Systems

May 2003

I found Ian’s seminar very positive, informative and useful. I myself only have daughters so teaching boys has always been interesting for me. I knew they were different and now I have some facts about these differences and some practical ways to approach them. I feel that anyone having anything to do with the male population and boys especially should attend Ian’s seminars to, firstly, feel good about what you are doing that works and, secondly, to get new and innovative ideas.

Ann Bartlam
Teacher
Lockrose State School

6 November 2002

Dear Chris,
On behalf of our entire school community I wanted to thank you for organising the fantastic presentation that Ian gave last Wednesday evening. I have received some very positive feedback from our parents, staff and teachers and principals from other schools who attended.
A couple of my teachers are also talking about painting their classrooms and we have already looked at paint colour cards.
Thank you once again for the great work both you and Ian are doing.

Judy

8 August 2002

Woombye State School is proud to be associated with ‘Boys Forward’ as part of its ‘ Boys and Relationships’ program. The ‘Working with Boys, Building Fine Men’ conference at Newcastle in 1999 gave us the first insight into Ian Lillico’s work, especially about Middle Schooling. Since then the school has begun tracking the progress of boys and groups through the school with many interesting and varied strategies being explored. Some of these include:

• Involving Dads in Literacy and Numeracy in the classroom
• Involving Dads and community members in tuckshop
• Involving Dads in extension programs
• Dads assisting with playground behaviour
• Annual Boys/Dads Beach Bash
• A Buddy system that encourages reading with peers
• Teaching quality role modelling through the Buddy system
• Supporting boys beyond ‘gender expectations’ to become good readers
• Year 7 boys and girls coaching younger students in sports and games
• Establishing a boys choir with public performances
• Referring boys behaviour problems to our Responsible Thinking Classroom
• as individuals or working through our school Chaplaincy program
• Encouraging parents (especially Dads) to attend Parent sessions

Woombye School continues to support boys in their journey to manhood through the strong belief that by encouraging young men to be better citizens in our community will in turn lead to more effective and worthwhile relationships they will form along the way.

Evan Russell
Deputy Principal
Woombye State School

8 August 2002

Ian Lillico's presentation to our group of schools on Tamborine Mountain was extremely successful. I'm sure some staff went in thinking that this was going to be another dreary talk by someone far removed from the daily grind of classroom life. They received a message from someone that lives and breathes not only boys' education but education in general.

Due to material gleaned whilst on his Churchill Fellowship Ian was able to relate to staff current issues pertaining to boys' education and suggest proven strategies for use in the home and classroom.

Ian came across as very sincere, knowledgeable, practical, thought provoking, teacher friendly and child friendly. His humourous delivery was appreciated by all.

Parental feedback was very positive. many requests have come in concerning further sessions.

We are all very keen to implement more of Ian's 52 recommendations.

A breathtakingly informative, 'in your face' look at how it is for boys, why we must do something and where we can start.

Gerry Moloney
Deputy Principal
Tamborine Mountain

8 August 2002

Hi, my name is Stella Wickson. Gerry Moloney from Tamborine Mountain State School approached me yesterday asking if I would like to write a testimonial for the Ian Lillico seminar I attended this week. It is a privilege to do so!

I have been a teacher aide for over 15 years, working in all areas of the school. At the beginning of 2001 I started at Griffith University as an undergraduate doing my secondary teaching degree in SOSE and English. TMSS encourages all it's staff to attend professional development, including the ancilliary staff. I was particularly keen to attend Ian's seminar to help further my studies. I was not disappointed!

As a teacher aide, I am in the position to have watched over the years many different teaching methods and styles. This has given me a fantastic insight as to what 'works' and what doesn't. Listening to Ian, I felt instantly that he knew exactly what boys need in their education, and indeed in their lives generally.

I have already recommended to my friends at uni to have a look at Ian's 52 recommendations and to print them off! Ian's seminar should be on the 'must do' list for any educator, experienced or not. After all, we are all learners! Thanks Ian...your inspiration, enthusiasm and strategies will be used for many, many years to come.

Stella Wickson
Tamborine Mountain State School

28 May 2002 - re: Ian Lillico's Educator Workshop 1

"It is with a certain amount of trepidation, as well as anticipation, that teachers attend workshops, often facilitated by self-professed "gurus" who claim to have all the answers to educators' and parents' dreams. We often come away feeling as though we have wasted our valuable time listening to someone who has not been at the "chalk-face" for years, if at all, and therefore does not have a genuine understanding of what it is like in the real world of day-to-day interaction with children.

"Ian Lillico is a refreshing change from that mould. Not only is he currently Principal of a school that deals with marginalised children; he is also the proud father of three boys. These credentials alone have him ahead of many others even before his opening address.

"Subsequently, his workshop on educating boys is informative, instructive, persuasive, humorous and insightful, with Ian offering practical, realistic advice about where boys are coming from and what teachers and parents can do to help them be successful and happy."

Debra Matthews
Head, Faculty of Social Sciences
Padua College

20 May 2002

"Ian's talk was inspirational for both staff and parents. At St Edmund's we are constantly talking up boys' issues but it was good to hear from someone who obviously knows the theory and has actually put it into practice. A number of staff commented on how much they enjoyed Ian as a speaker and the fact that he held their attention and interest for what seemed a very short two hours. Others were pleased with the practical nature of what Ian presented and some have already successfully tried a number of the strategies outlined at the inservice. We have bought copies of Ian's books and have already distributed them to middle management - they will provide a focus for faculty and year meetings and will be followed up at our professional development day at the end of term."

Angus Tulley
Deputy principal
St Edmund's College, Canberra

15 May 2002

"Ian Lillico's presentation gives a refreshing insight into the psyche of boys. His understanding of issues in boys' education is well credentialled, being both an experienced educator and father of three boys. He offers concrete advice to staff, supported by simple strategies that produce immediate and encouraging outcomes. Ian gives direction to problems and issues that at times seem insurmountable. The staff at Gladstone Park Secondary College are greatly appreciative of the services that were supplied."

S.Federico
Teacher, Asst Year 10 Co-ordinator,
Convenor of Boys to Men Committee.

07 May 2002

"As a parent of an eight-year-old boy as well as a school development officer, I found Ian Lillico to be a captivating and knowledgeable speaker on boys' education. How to deal with homework with boys and how boys learn best were just a few practical hints on what teachers and parents can do to improve boys' learning. Ian's positive attitude on boys' education was also welcoming and inspiring."

Karen Gair
Development Officer

"Ian Lillico outlined the problems in boys' education; he then prioritised these and gave strategies to overcome them through curriculum, behavior modification, attitude and the school environment. I found his views on the problems in society of negatively branding male teachers as "pedophiles" refreshing and long overdue. I found that Ian's simple, practical approaches and real world examples of boys' education issues could be adopted in schools and by teachers without any massive internal or external restrucuturing and they are proving to be of great assistance to me. "

Les Bobis
Year 12 Coordinator

"Ian Lillico was informative and practical. The information concerning development of curriculum to enhance boys' education is valuable to the way teaching is conducted with a core class in a middle school structure. I look forward to reading the two books produced by Ian when they reach the College."

Mary Anne Brickwood
Tony O'Shea

18 April 2002

"A great day of professional development. Not only does Ian identify certain problems boys of different ages may be experiencing, he also identifies strategies and solutions to help overcome these problems. I am looking forward to session 2."

Michael Knox
Deputy Principal

10 April 2002

"What a refreshing session for teachers! Ian was totally practical in all suggestions, and the day although packed full of great information ended all too quickly.

"A MUST for ALL teachers!

"Love the website - especially the weekly tips."

Regards
Mark & Helen Carlile

9 April 2002

"What an enlightening workshop! Ian Lillico demonstrated how a whole school approach to educating boys is not only desirable, but very possible. Ian was believable because he spoke from experience, and from the heart. While passionate about the need to improve the learning for boys within our schools, Ian also clearly indicated that girls would also benefit by many of the recommendations and strategies he outlined.

"We will certainly be implementing many of Ian's 52 recommendations in our Middle School. They make sense, are practical, and will make learning more relevant and accessable to our students. Thanks for a most enjoyable workshop, one of the best I have been to in many years. I look forward to the second one."

Gary Hay
Middle Schooling Deputy Principal

November 2001

Testimonial for Ian Lillico:

"I invited and encouraged my school community to come to hear Ian Lillico. I was not disappointed - well over 1000 parents attended two evenings at Ipswich Grammar School. They were not disappointed either - in fact the impact of Ian's deliveries and the subsequent effect on this school and its people have been overwhelming. Staff sessions were excellent. Ian's popularity with teaching staff is that he is not only a specialist in "educating boys and raising sons" but also a very good teacher. Hence he speaks and demonstrates best practice in teaching boys in the classroom. His message is comprehensive, embracing boys' self-esteem, relationships, mental and physical growth, motivation, masculinity, communication, feelings, sport, the arts, technology and the major issues facing boys' learning, their academics, including literacy.

"In short, Ian Lillico is a "must" for parents raising their sons and for us in schools teaching and engaging boys and helping mums and dads raise their sons. I highly recommend him to parents and schools and reinforce just how pleased we are with him and his work."

Denis Frederiksen
Headmaster/CEO

13 November 2001

Testimonial for Ian Lillico:

"I invited Mr Ian Lillico to Christian Brothers College last year to deliver a double public lecture on boys' education and to conduct the transition lecture for new parents to CBC. As well, Ian conducted a number of staff in-service sessions. All of this was a three-day engagement and a very big commitment by Ian. In that time Ian's ability to communicate to parents, staff and some students was very evident. At the time CBC was introducing the pedagogical concept of middle schooling for boys, and Ian's expertise in the field of boys' education meant that we were getting the best that research and practical know-how could deliver.

"One of the parents wrote to me last year as follows:

"This is a long overdue letter to express thanks for such an excellent recent induction for Year 8. The guest speaker offered a most worthwhile perspective for us as parents and helped to situate what we are about to face as our son reaches adolescence and also highlighted the implications for him as a learner. The inclusion of a guest speaker of such note was a valuable part of our own personal learning as parents. We may not have had this opportunity if the College had not organised this event for parents."

"This year we have invited Ian to return to CBC and to work with the Middle School teachers in their classrooms. He will see many of the recommendations he made to us being implemented. He will also once again deliver the public lectures and transition lectures to parents. We are looking forward to renewing the contact with him and to learn once again of the next step we may need to take in our quest to offer a truly relevant education for our Middle school boys.

"I recommend Ian Lillico highly to any other school that is interested in getting a first class communicator to establish the ideals and practices for the education of boys in their school. "

Br Patrick Cronin PhD
Principal

"Ian Lillico's presentation to our teaching staff on Boys' Education was nothing short of excellent. In an area that has had much written and discussed, Ian succinctly defined the needs of boys today in our education system, and, more importantly, energetically challenged us to critique our current practices.

" For many of our longer serving staff, they offered unsolicited comments that referred to the 'best in-service session' they have attended in over twenty years. Ian's presentation lit a 'fire' of desire to embrace the need to reflect and change current thoughts on boys' education."

"Ian was a speaker at a National Conference of Principals of Christian
Brothers Schools held at Edmund Rice Conference Centre, Mulgoa during 2000.

"Ian provided an up to date analysis of the state of Boys' Education which was both simple and comprehensive.

"Following the analysis, Ian provided very practical solutions and suggestions for the teaching of boys. This was in marked contrast to many speakers and writers on Boys' Education who give the apocalyptic view, describing all that is going wrong but often not offering any practical suggestions for a way forward.

"Ian's work was very strong on a range of points. These included teaching strategies, management of boys and managing their environment. He had workable proposals across a range of academic disciplines considering such areas as the variation needed in teaching and possible strategies in various subject areas."

Paul D. Oakley
Acting Head-Christian Brothers-Australia

"Boys And Their Schooling" presentation by Ian Lillico on Tuesday 9 October 2001 at Brisbane State High School, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

(Brisbane SHS is a co-educational school of about 1870 students (approx half are boys) from Year 8 to Year 12 and 120 teaching staff. The presentation was for 2 hours.)

Comments from teachers include:
"Most beneficial was the different strategies for behaviour management/teaching strategies for boys as Ian focussed on boys characteristics and brought out the differences in educating boys as compared with girls,eg, 'must get girls to do and boys to think' and 'boys resolve things through movement'".

"Really good and relevant. Ian discussed the issues we face with boys in plain english - not jargon. Easy to understand as he has been in schools - not some academic".

"Strategies for interaction with students very practicable and applicable to both boys and girls. His ideas for group work where over a term all students work with every student in class - brilliant".

"He's good - relevant to our reality of dealing with boys in classrooms. I have reflected on his useful,constructive comments re boys and have developed better insights into what is happening in my classroom".