Robin's Work.

See what they say!


Teachers in training!

Submitted by robin on Fri, 16/07/2010 - 06:04.

On the last day of holidays we hosted 20 teachers for continued training and development. It was a great day, exploring what had opened up since their last development workshop, and then deepening the skills of conflict resolution. Questions were answered, technicalities explained, new insights explored and shared. My sense is that an awareness was cultivated that by increasing our consciousness and communication skills, we can radically change our classroom environment and the quality of our interactions with ALL people surrounding us. That’s right, RADICALLY change the quality of those interactions! And it is possible and not only for the elite Gurus out there, but accessible to each and every one of us.

Some Feedback

What an amazing day. Through the skill training and role playing I really got that these skills can make a huge difference to me in my life, let alone in the classroom. Why weren't we taught these in college?

and another

I had heard about the Synergy Schooling Approach before, but after coming here today I can actually see (and experience) that this is what education is actually all about. People, people, people. And to increase the quality of these relationships, we need to increase our awareness levels and our communication skills. I am so excited to come back and learn more!


Transforming 50 Teachers at a time!

Submitted by robin on Tue, 22/06/2010 - 10:30.

SynEDy Training held a 4 day workshop for 52 teachers based on coaching and empowerment training. These teachers came from local and national schools to experience the possibility of making a difference to their own lives, as well as the lives of the children they teach.

This project falls under the Synergy Vision of transforming teachers into passionate individuals who really know how to consciously make a difference to the lives of the children in their care.


Parent Sharing after the Esteem Workshop

Submitted by robin on Thu, 03/06/2010 - 16:20.

Hi Robin

I just want to say thank you very much for an incredibly insightful and powerful workshop over the last 7 weeks. What I've learnt has been incredible and armed me with tools that I never realised were out there. We all strive to be better parents but with a slight shift of vision we can really attain this goal and guide our children to be successful adults.

I have found it challenging and sometimes incredibly difficult to put in place what I've learnt but when it's worked, it certainly has been so rewarding to see the results and the positive responses from the kids. It's going to be a journey but armed with those amazing tools that I've amassed during these 7 weeks, it's going to be quite a ride. As I said this morning, it's not only affected my relationship with my kids but with my work colleagues, friends, family and husband.

Again, thanks very much Robin.... you certainly know your stuff and I'm humbled by the deep insight, thought and passion that goes into your work. I'm certainly privileged to be part of the Synergy team !


Training for 80 teachers in conflict resolution

Submitted by robin on Sun, 09/05/2010 - 08:49.

An afternoon workshop for teachers on conflict resolution.

  1. The conflict resolution session was fantastic - I tried it with the children yesterday and I felt like someone waved a magic wand!!!!! Thank you!

  2. I have done many courses on conflict resolution and I have always felt the solutions were superficial and short term. What we looked at, and the skills we learned on Tuesday, really make sense and opens up a different space for me to actually be a support opposed to a judge. I am even using this with my children at home and the difference is actually quite amazing!


After Self Esteem workshop

Submitted by robin on Sun, 25/04/2010 - 10:18.

A heartfelt sharing from a couple after doing the Nurturing of Self Esteem course.

  1. The course has been so good for us. I'm glad we have done it together as our different parenting styles were a real source of conflict in our marriage and neither of us really knew how to right it. I've still got a long way to go, but the mood in the house has changed and there is a whole lot less frustration and aggression all round. I didn't think that would be possible.

  2. Thanks again for the conviction with which you presented the course and guided us always back to the principles at hand. It’s going to take an ongoing effort to rewire my hardwired brain, but I now feel more equipped to do that. The effects are already visible in my family, my boys are responding much better and I find myself ‘losing it’ much less.


After Teacher Training session

Submitted by robin on Thu, 11/03/2010 - 11:34.
Evey week Robin is involved in training and supporting coaches and teachers. The training varies according to the needs of the group. After an evening training, one participant shared:

"I really want to thank you for your inspiring workshop and training again today! This is such powerful stuff and it really opened up some new possibilities for me; for my project AND for my private life!

I am so impressed and inspired by the way you communicate with people, how you attract everyones attention, how you make sure that everybody's feeling heard, how not-judgmental you are, and how empowerend you are to others!"

This sharing goes to show one main thing. These skills of how to listen to people, how to make them feel heard, and how to open up possibilities is just something we can all learn to do.

Presented to parents at a Blouberg School

Submitted by robin on Thu, 11/03/2010 - 11:29.

Many schools ask Robin to do a presentation for the parents of their school such that the parents walk away understanding how important their role as parents is. There is a belief that the school's job is to discipline the children and teach the core values that are needed. These talks aim at supporting parents in skills at making a difference in the home environment such that their child benefits directly.

"Robin, thanks for an eye-opener talk! I had never really considered that parenting is something which could be learned or improved on in such a conscious way. Now I am hungry for more! Thanks."

Teacher Training: SynEDgy Conscious Educator's Group

Submitted by robin on Thu, 25/02/2010 - 06:57.

Every term, Robin presents at the SynEDgy Conscious Educators Group. The purpose is to support any Educator in learning more skills that will support the empowerment of children and parents.This term's topic was on Engaging Cooperation and Alternatives to Punishment

  1. After all these years of being a teacher, I had thought that I knew nearly all there was about getting Children to Cooperate. Although I use many of the skills you shared, you really got me to see the deeper layers of the skills and how to apply them such that they really make a difference. It's like there is another whole layer of skills to learn. Fantastic!

  2. I came along with some of the other teachers of my school. On the way home we were sharing about how we thought the different skills could support us with the children where we seemed stuck in (or with their parents for that matter). We feel inspired as a team to keep learning and supporting each other. When is the next group meeting?


Setting Boundaries talk: Parents at Westerford High School

Submitted by robin on Thu, 25/02/2010 - 06:47.

Sharings from parents after the talk.

  1. I had thought that putting a boundary in place had to be something that was authoritarian and bossy. I first ask nicely, then ask again, and then when I am fed up I revert to being the 'boss of the house.' Your talk really opened my perspective up to the assumptions I am making, and the skills I could learn such that I can still put effective boundaries in place, but not be undermining, disrespectful or bossy in the process.

  2. I have always wondered how some people (parents or teachers) have the 'gift' of getting children to listen to them. Your talk tonight highlighted that it is not luck, but actually a skill which anyone can learn. I was becoming despondent that I was a bad parent because I just couldn't get it right. Now I feel empowered that I can actually learn new skills which I can also clearly see will make a difference. Tomorrow morning, I already have a few things I have learned tonight that I am going to try differently.


Parent Coaching

Submitted by robin on Thu, 18/02/2010 - 09:37.
Dear Robin, Thank you so much for your dedication. We loved having the time with you on Sunday night. Last night we spoke to our son before he went to sleep. Using the techniques you taught us, we found that he opened up and really spoke to us. The difference is incredible, I can see what you mean we you say that people really feel heard. This morning, a different child went to school and I thank you again.........

Presenting to parents at Rondebosch Boy’s Primary School

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:24.

Sharings from two parents after the talk.

  1. Thanks for an inspiring and interesting exploration of what my role of as a parent could be. From what you were sharing, I got the sense that parenting can actually be a journey of fun and finding ways to make things work for all of us. It doesn’t have to be about power struggles and heartaches.

  2. Your comments about us as parents never having any training in being a more effective parent really struck home to me tonight. There are so many times when I am unsure of what to do, and of how to do it. Your message this evening gave me a different way of looking at parenting and made me realise that I can actually educate myself on how to make a difference to my child. Thanks a million.


Facilitated 2nd year students at Eden/ Tsiba University

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:23.

Thoughts by one of the Students after the workshop

  1. We ended our Orientation week off with a workshop run by Life Coach, Robin Booth. I would say he is the best in his field as this really made an impact on me and my colleagues. The thing that stood out for me most in that workshop was the clip he showed us of this guy that had no arms and no legs. He's message was to never give up on things, and to stand up where you have fallen down. Even though this guy on the clip had no arms or legs, he managed to get up and said the following “never give up and always stand tall and firm, and if you do fall, get up because you can do it”.

    Robin also taught us a very valuable lesson in life, to always think about what we do or what we want to do before we actually say or do it, because it could (or can) lead to things and consequences we really didn't want. It became clear that what you say can actually turn into your reality. That is the thing that stood out for me for the rest of that workshop.

    So this year has started personally for me on a very high note and it will end in one. We were motivated and got words of inspiration from the best to keep our heads high throughout the year and to never give up. That is because “Tsiba Eden Is a Brand Name”

    Come what may 2010 we are ready for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Keeping the spirit and willingness to succeed alive, the students were fortunate to have a full day workshop with life coach, Robin Booth, of SynEdgey Training from Cape Town. The life coaching session came after an exciting three days of discussing what kind of people they needed to be every day in order to build their brand through their actions. Students learned more about themselves, their emotions and how to avoid making mistakes and being victims.


Presented to Parents in Houtbay on Preparing for the Future

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:21.

Sharings from two parents after the talk.

  1. 1) I had always thought that to prepare my child for their future, I would have to get them techo savy. I can clearly see now that that is hardly the skill that will make a difference to their lives. Who they are as a person will be the criteria of them being successful or not. And I realise that I deeply impact their character (and therefore destiny) by how I talk to them, treat them, and support them in growing up. Now the journey starts to skill myself up to do that purposefully and not leave it to chance.

  2. ) I have realised that I have been ignorant of the fact that I have considered that childhood is not just a passing phase for my child on the way to being an adult. Childhood is not a ‘holding phase’ that consist of preparing for some indeterminable future. They are currently living their lives, right here and now. And how I interact with now is what will actually determine the outcome of their future.


Presented to the Delegates at the UNICEF Early Childhood Develop

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:20.

Sharings from Education Department Official.

  1. Mr Booth you seemed to have made an impression on many people in your short presentation this morning. You were right about us pouring huge resources into Curriculum. Resources, text books and administration. But you correctly pointed out that the most valuable resource is the teacher themselves. And in that sphere we need to seriously get more effective training in place!


Presented to parents in Fishhoek on Nurturing your Child’s Self

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:19.

Sharings from two parents after the talk.

  1. 1) Some deep thinking here. I love the insights and the quirky stories. I love it that someone else has put into words what I have always felt but have not been sure on how to articulate it.

  2. 2) You said at the beginning of the presentation that you had designed the talk to make sure we went away with value. Right now, I can think of 3 situations at home that I can now handle totally differently. I walk out of here tonight with more tolls, and the possibility of breaking through some ineffective patterns. Thanks!


Speaker at the National Education Conference in Gauteng

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:14.

Sharings from a teacher and an Education Circuit Manager

  1. I came to this conference to see if there was anything different. It seems that it is the same: new text books, newer computers, new resources. But your training class this morning was actually useful to me because it deals with what I can directly do in the classroom! Now that is something worthwhile.

  2. Mr Booth your presentation about the role of teachers in the classroom really struck a chord. I am responsible for training a huge number Pre-Primary teachers in the North. But we just can’t seem to impact them in a way we are needing. Your presentation this morning clearly shows that perhaps we can do this differently. Are you available to come and train them?


Speaker at the Montessori National Conference

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:01.

Sharings from a teacher and an Education Circuit Manager

  1. Hi Robin. I was wondering how come you were invited to speak at the conference, even though you are not a trained Montessori Teacher. But on hearing what you were saying and some of the ideas you had on doing this differently, it became clear as to why they had invited you. Your ideas on how schools could support parents through workshops, programmes and other methodologies was valuable insight. Thanks!

  2. Hi Mr Booth. When you were sharing about how your school works with Parents and supports teacher development, I knew I had found an educational environment that really broke through the old mainstream thinking. Do you have a post available? I would love to come work there!


Speaker at the Future-Wheeling Conference

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 13:00.
People often think of the future only in terms of technological advances. Your presentation spoke clearly of what it means to be human in the 21st Century. And what is possible for us in empowering ourselves as individuals, and in relation to those around us. Perhaps there is hope for us all?

Speaker at the International Integrated Human Values Conference

Submitted by robin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 12:56.
There is a lot of talk about brining Core Human Value sinto education. The challenge is that usually these values are attached to some religious principle, and then these school feel that you have to design a special curriculum for teaching these values. I like what you shared that there are core human values that belong to every human, regardless of their beliefs. And it is not about how we teach these values, but how we live them, such that our children learn them as a natural part of being human. Now that is something! Please can you come and open Synergy Schools here in India?