MEMO: To all teachers participating in, or supporting the organisation of AMPED - Emerging Leaders in Schools.

Experience has taught us that the ‘pre-briefing’ of students prior to participating in the Emerging Leaders in Schools Program is critical.

To this end, we have designed a website that we ask you to ensure all students access prior to the program to learn more about what will be involved. This website can be utilised as a resource for your class for some of the project work they will complete throughout the two days. Our recommended process for doing this is as follows:

• Please organise a special class briefing, so students can settle down and have some focussed time thinking about their involvement (you could incorporate time to fill in the questionnaire in the second half of the briefing class).
• You give a broad overview of the program (why the school's running it, dates, times, venue etc.). You can download the program brochure off the website.
• You then give all students five minutes to read the attached letter.
• You ask students to read it carefully.
• You then take any questions from them.
• You then open up discussion, and provide a space for any questions or comments about the subject to emerge (ie What do they want the Emerging Leaders facilitators to know about them such as their needs/wants in a learning environment)?
• You provide them time to access the website schools.emergingleaders.com.au
• Ask the students to fill out the questionnaire
• Have them look at the films we will watch and answer some of the questions on the website
• Ask them to look at some of the leaders they may want to talk about

We would ask you to note down any conclusive recommendations and let us know about them in the week prior to the program.

It is important that students understand that the content of the program does not explain the process they will go through, and that this is a ‘transformational’ program, ie. the journey is what produces the outcomes, rather than the content specifically.

It is also important that students understand that the facilitators are not teachers and are not accustomed to having to pull rank and exert discipline in the face of disruptions. We will let you be the judge if any disciplinary problems occur although we would obviously prefer that students stay in the room as often the rebellious and talkative students have the most to gain!!!! There will be no judgement associated with any discipline for any of the students, but the learning of the majority won't be jeopardised if a few individuals are excessively disruptive.

This approach has proven to be necessary when we are dealing with a full year level, when a large number of students really do want to learn something, but they are limited by, or in some extreme cases, stopped in their learning by a very small number of disruptive individuals.

We trust this makes sense to you, and we look forward to further discussions.

If you have any questions or comments prior or following the program please do not hesitate to contact me on 08 8212 1711 or 0413 526 464.