Soren Bennick's The Power of One™
Testimonials
… we deemed [the POWER of ONE™ to be] the best anti-bullying presentation we have seen. … Our students were riveted by the role-plays presented by the actors. … If you’re going to spend money on a performance, I strongly recommend …this production.
Kelli Helpert Corvette ( TDSB) (416) 396-6180
… Dramatic presentations tend to have better communication-staying-power then lecturing. […] I strongly recommend you have a look at their program.
Principal Gary Swain – Holy Cross (TCDSB) (416) 393-5242
The show was excellent … Telling students that they should not be the agonized victim or idle bystanders is one thing. Using drama to show these roles and the solution is much more effective. … I would recommend having The Power of One perform at your school. They have broken down their performance so that there is a K-3 presentation and a 4-6 or 4-8 performance.
Principal Michael Logue – Macville PS (PDSB) (905) 857-3448
In short: It was very good!. I would recommend …[the POWER of ONE] … for your school. … … Explanations are one thing. Using DRAMATIC SKITS with MASKS and MUSIC to make the point really increases the chance that the key message gets through: Bullying is a cycle. Breaking the cycle requires breaking the silence.
VP Brian Bradley – Brooklin Village PS (Durham DSB) (905) 655-8959
Just a few lines to tell you how pleased we were with the POWER of ONE"... We found that the presentation was most appropriate and timely. By asking for student participation, I believe the message was even better received. If anyone were interested in spending money on an anti-bullying show, I would strongly recommend that they consider the POWER of ONE. It has great visuals, excellent acting and a strong key message. Let’s break the cycle by breaking the silence surrounding bullying.
Marcel Lafleur – Principal Thomas D’Arcy McGee (OCCDSB)
I strongly recommend you book the POWER of ONE for your fall schedule. We recently had the half-day production at St. Anne. Outcomes? Many. All positive. The one outcome that surprised me the most gave me goose bumps. A senior grade student finally had "had enough". By his own admission, the POWER of ONE was what he needed to hear in order to be confident that his complaint would be heard. It gave him "the courage" to break the cycle by breaking his silence. He told his parents, who in turn, with the student's prior knowledge and support, contacted me and we were able to intervene. My students were riveted. The actors disappeared the moment they put the masks on. My students were watching real situations, with real bullies, real targets, and real bystanders. And there was a real call to action to break the cycle of bullying by breaking the silence. Again, I strongly recommend you book the POWER of ONE for the fall.
Laura Eby - Principal St. Anne (519) 745-7847
I would strongly recommend that you consider inviting the POWER of ONE to your school in the fall.
Out of the 5 or more ANTI-BULLYING productions I have seen over the years,
this one is simple: BRILLIANTLY SIMPLE. Key Message? Break the cycle of bullying by BREAKING the SILENCE and telling an adult. For me the key to giving this production longevity is its customized 2'x4' mounted PLEDGE POSTER. Each student and staff member is invited to sign it and we will be able to display it prominently and run with it over the entire year. Well done. Again, I would encourage each of you to have a look at this performance for the fall.
Nestor Shartun – Crestview PS (519) 893-1140
The POWER of ONE performance was an effective and compelling presentation for our students. I would highly recommend the POWER of ONE to schools looking to raise awareness on the effects of bullying behaviour and what each of us can do to reduce its effect in our school and community.
Perry Muxworthy – Baker Drive Elementary, Coquitlam BC (604) 461-5323
I highly recommend the POWER of ONE. Our staff and students ... thoroughly enjoyed the POWER of ONE presentation. The two presenters were entertaining and sensitive to the important issues of bullying. The use of masks to portray the different types of bullies and targets was very effective and captured the attention of the students. It gave them a good chance to understand the different types of bullying that can occur. The use of students from the audience to illustrate different types of "bystanders" was both entertaining for our students and instructive. In all, the presentation does an excellent job of showing students that they have the power to stop bullies by reporting incidence of bullying to their teachers.
Mark Porter – Principal, Cook Elementary, Richmond BC (604) 668-6454
Enthusiastic actors who related well to the students...Important Message... [the POWER of ONE is] well worth booking!!!
Brenda Martin - Principal, Centennial PS (OCDSB)
Uplands Catholic enjoyed an anti-bullying show during Education Week. The topic has been a focus in our school... the POWER of ONE was an excellent recap of our anti-bullying focus. The show would also be an excellent introduction to a new school year!! The message to our students from the presentation was clear and meaningful for students, teachers and parents! Thank you!!
Andrea Green - Principal Uplands (OCCDSB)
I am writing to recommend an anti-bullying performance called the POWER of ONE. … We have [our signed Pledge Poster] displayed in the office. Students still come by the office in small groups to see where they signed it. It was very well done. Again, I would encourage each of you to … look at this performance for the fall.
Luisa Busato - Principal, St. Catherine of Sienna 905-851-8162
The POWER of ONE effectively touched the children. It fully engaged them. They listened intently. The choice of bullying scenarios …[was] excellent. Why? Because the scenarios were realistic and struck a chord with the students. The message was right. As a result of the show, significant discussion was generated and disclosures of bullying surfaced. Again the bullying scenes were terrific. … staff members strongly recommend booking this production.
Collette Quinn-Hall, GW Skene , Calgary
In 3 words, the POWER of ONE is:
1 - AUTHENTICATE
2 - POWERFUL
3 - INFORMATIVE
I plan on opening our first September assembly with the signed pledge poster. For the benefit of new students, we will reiterate the themes of the show and invite them to sign the poster as well. The skits were not over-the-top but REAL. In fact, many of our students and teachers had tears in their eyes because what was portrayed happens all too often. Every school should experience this production.
Jan Miko, Principal Lord Beaconsfield 604-713-4605
The Power of One presentation reinforced the teaching and message we have been working on within our school community. With our focus on Character Education, this interactive learning performance was a meaningful fit for our grade 4, 5 and 6 students.
Glamorgan Elementary Calgary
The Power of One was excellent! It held the attention of the audience and was complimentary with our ongoing goal of developing responsible citizens. The Pledge Poster board was great too. I would recommend you book the POWER of ONE for the fall.
Harold G. Whittaker, Principal Altadore ES (Calgary) (403) 777-6910
The POWER of ONE is a wonderful addition to our anti-bullying initiatives. It encourages our students to be accountable and to take responsibility for their actions.
Rick Hirst, Principal - Bell-Stone PS (HWDSB) (905) 679-616
This is a recommendation for you all to book the POWER of ONE. We had the production on March 27th. Just today, May 29th, I had a number of students in my office who had been Bystanders and were steadfastly remaining 'silent-bystanders'. The Pledge Poster that was left for follow up had been circulated class by class and every student and staff member had signed it… including the 'silent-bystanders' in my office. The signed Pledge Poster became an ideal vehicle/tool that helped my students and I revisit the themes of the show (Bystanders are just as culpable as Bullies) and the importance of reporting. Outcome? The information started to flow and we were able to address the situation. Again, I strongly encourage you to book the POWER of ONE [now for] this fall.
Dave Hazell, Principal Dalewood PS (HWDSB) (905)528-8631
The POWER of ONE is an Anti-Bullying program suitable for an elementary audience. The production connected with our students; they felt a sense of realism in the program on what is a very timely issue.
The creativity of the show captured the attention of everyone. Bottom line: I would recommend this production for a fall assembly to Principals to support their own Safe Schools programs.
John Clements, Principal - Glen Cairn PS Thames Valley DSB (519) 452-8210
I [am writing to] … recommend the POWER of ONE™ for a fall assembly. After the presentation, a student who speaks very little in class began to share his experiences of being bullied. The presentation began his healing process and was excellent discussing in class. Super, excellent presentation! The examples that the actors presented were excellent, and relevant to this grade level. The presentation was an excellent springboard for further discussion in class.
Asst. Principal Russell Bennett- Holy Cross
Académie Internationale, Edmonton (780)489-1981
The POWER of ONE™ was an excellent presentation that left student feeling in control of their environment. Primary children really got a very clear understanding of the elements involved in bullying. The students were able to identify bullying and they learned exactly what to do if they encounter such a problem. Students felt support from each other and clearly understood that they could make a difference in their school.
Edmonton Teacher, Gandview Heights PS
I would recommend The POWER of ONE™ production to my peer schools for a fall assembly. The Power of One [performances] made a big impact on our elementary students, especially the young ones. The visual representations of colour and props really helps to trigger kids recall when we talk about Bullies, Victims and Bystanders. They get it!
Miss Pat March Principal Grandview Heights PS (780) 434-1502
Recently Power Glen hosted two fabulous live performances called the POWER of ONE™ (anti-bullying). There is a primary and junior version of the show as the delivery and material is age-appropriate for each group (Jk-3 and Gr.4+). It was money well spent given the vitality of the message. The production engaged our students. I particularly liked the leave-behind-PLEDGE-POSTER as it proved to be a very effective follow mechanism. I would recommend the POWER of ONE™ to each elementary school principal as you plan your fall schedule.
Principal Jane Rubin – Power Glen Niagara DSB (901) 684-7109
I am writing to recommend The POWER of ONE™. The actors captivated our students attention. Great job. Really drove the point home. This supplements our existing bully proofing activities very well! Again I strongly encourage Edmonton schools to consider booking this production for the fall.
Principal Ed Butler – Callingwood PS Edmonton (780) 487-0727
The POWER of ONE™ Pledge Poster was a fantastic follow-up vehicle. Our students used beautiful colours to autograph it. They felt good about 'signing on' to the bully-prevention program. We unveiled the autographed Pledge Poster in our internal TV broadcast. The POWER of ONE™ succeeded in getting our students to think.
Principal Melanie Mazurek - St. Bernadette, Edmonton
The POWER of ONE™ presentation made direct connections with our anti-bullying focus this year.
All of our elementary students signed the POWER of ONE PLEDGE POSTER and this reinforced the content of the program. Encouraging bystanders to become involved and tellan adult about bullying, provided a meaningful and worthwhile message.
Principal Arnold Ingleson, Deer Run School (Calgary) (403) 777-6840
Dear Power One
Thanks for coming to our school to teach us about bullying. We learned that not to stand by watching someone get bullied. We should stand up and help some one who’s getting bullied. It’s your choice to be a bully. Cause little kids are looking up to you and they think your there idol so they will copy you. Internet is bullying too and you could hurt someone very bad. We think you should go to every school in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
From: Z, B, J and A, Cordella School
Dear “The Power of One”
Cordella School and I would like to thank you for a wonderful presentation about bullying. It was wonderful for you to come and do it for us because it is going to help us in the future, when we experience bullying. I loved the presentation and thought it was very entertaining. I hope that you come back next year because some of the little kids really understood the message which was to not stand around and wait for the problem to get bigger – so stand up for yourself. I also thought the message you were trying to send was reaching us clearly. Keep on doing your shows kids are loving it.
From: S Cordella School
Dear “Power of One”
Thank you for coming and sharing us about bullying and how it’s not good to bully people. You guys taught us that there are different types of bullying like cyber, and more. Thank you because now there is not that much bullying here like there use too. So thanks for coming! And also what you did was memorable and very entertaining. And I also hope you can come back next year so people don’t forget that bullying is not good. So once again thanks for coming to show us about bullying.
From: S.I. Cordella Junior Public School
Dear “Power of 1”
We want to thank you for your visit here. We want to thank you because you have taught us so many things about bullying and how we can change it and that the only person who can change it is us. You really showed us how we can stop it eg. telling a trusting adult. Your group also showed us the stages of processing into a bully and your organization also showed us how much bullying can involve in people in their everyday and social life. I am really happy that your group helps people who get bullied, because its like somebody physically abusing you and most of the time its verbal abuse that can hurt somebody’s self-esteem.
That’s why I think its great that your group came and taught us that bullying isn’t great and that we can stop it.
From S.A. Cordella J.P. School
Dear The Power of One
Thank you for coming to our school it was fun when you played with your iPod and taught us about bullying and different kinds of bullying.
I also liked your expressions and your saying you have the power to stop bullying.
I also liked how you made it fun and taught us bullying at once, and I give it 2 thumbs up.
From: D.B. Cordella J.P. School
Dear Power of 1:
Thank you for that wonderful performance that you did. I love the great expressions that you did. I admire you feeling comfortable sharing something personal about one of your family members. I also liked how you taught us about the different types of bullying. The expression you put on your faces and the expression in the words you said it sounded so exciting to keep watching. The gestures and a lot of expression, it felt alive.
You made the play really interesting to watch. I also like how you got us kids involved in the play and making us feel for a moment the way bullied kids feel. Getting the kids involved was a great idea. The oath we had to take at the end was also a great idea, because since that day of the oath and the play, I haven’t seen any kids that are getting bullied.
From: K.P. Cordella J.P. School
Dear “Power of One”
Thank you for coming to Cordella School and presenting your bully presentation. The school learned that bullying isn’t good. If someone saw someone that’s getting bullied, they should stick up for each other. The presentation showed examples and even asked the students to be part of the example.
Cordella enjoyed the special presentation because we noticed some situations going on and when they saw the presentation, whatever happened stopped and they learned that bullying isn’t right.
I liked how the presentation taught the students that there were more than just one way of bullying. Like other kinds of bullying including verbal and cyber and etc.
On behalf of Cordella, we thank The Power of One Group for presenting a great performance for the Cordella students.
From: L.E. Cordella J.P.S.
Dear “Power of One” Performers,
Thank you for presenting the bullying show for us. We really enjoyed it. I guess after the presentation, some people were so distracted that they listened and stopped bullying other kids.
It was also very funny and entertaining. I liked how you used sound effects well, pretty much liked everything. I mostly liked the cyber bullying, because it shows why not to make accounts on myspace/facebook. I liked the physical bullying, also. It shows how the person feels when they are hurt. So you pretty much got my attention. J
Anyways, you scared us a bit from screaming, but we calmed down after. We also liked how you picked us to help during the play. Otherwise, you really entertained us. Thank you again!
From: V.S. Cordella J.P.S.
Dear “Power of One” performers,
Thank you for coming and teach us about bullying, also what it really means, and how anybody can be a bully even a bystander! It was very fun to be a part of the presentation. I though it was very enjoying way to learn about bullying, and why it was wrong.
We are really thankful for the opportunity to learn about bullying, and teaching us how bullying is wrong.
From: L.E. Cordella J.P. School
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