Empowerment logo with blue background, bold orange text, white diamond shape, and slogan about authentic, connected, empathetic people.
A man standing among a large group of students, speaking into a microphone in a school common area.

Empowerment-Ed

empowering authentic, connected, people

Engaging and empowering student and staff programs: respectful relationships, student leadership, cohort formation, staff professional development.

We at Empowerment-Ed have one purpose; to empower authentic, connected, empathetic people.

We create authentic, connected, empathetic people through providing first class presentations, workshops, retreats, leadership programs and professional development courses to schools for students and staff that focus on connection, empathy, equity and mutual respect.

We conduct this in a way where communities can authentically engage with one other in a strengths-based, pro-social environment.

See the programs we offer below by pressing ‘find out more’.

Who we are and What we do

Our Programs

  • A large auditorium filled with students wearing blue and white striped uniforms, listening to a speaker presenting on stage, with two large screens displaying the text 'Healthy, Respectful Relationship.'

    Empowering Relationships

    Engaging, age-appropriate presentations and workshops on healthy, respectful relationships with an emphasis on a strengths-based, pro-social approach to empower young people.

    Our respectful relationships workshops are designed and catered for all age groups.

    Find out More
  • People attending a senior retreat in a room with a speaker giving a presentation on a projection screen.

    Empowering Leadership

    'Answer the Call' - the peak of our student development programs. Leadership building for cohorts, leadership groups and/or elected leaders.

    Student leadership formation opportunities across one-day to six-month programs.

    Find out More
  • Students seated in groups inside a school gymnasium, attending an event or assembly.

    Empowering Cohorts

    Context, community and school specific retreat / reflection days which aim to strengthen cohort relationships that align with school values.

    Find out More
  • A large conference hall filled with round tables where people are seated and attending a presentation. There are two large screens displaying slides on stage at the front of the room, with stage lights and equipment hanging from the ceiling.

    Empowering Classrooms

    Comprehensive teacher professional development to enhance classroom relationships and improve student outcomes.:

    - Student behaviour management

    - Student engagement

    - Teaching boys

    - Relational Pedagogy

    - Entering Middle Leadership

    Find out More
  • Empowering self & others

    Empowering self & others

    The most bespoke, school-specific, user-friendly, research-informed wellbeing curriculum package available for schools.

    Find out more
Students in school uniforms sitting in circular tables inside a gymnasium during an assembly or event, with screens and banners visible.
A classroom or seminar room with a group of students seated at tables, attentively listening to a man standing and presenting. There is a projected screen on the wall behind the presenter.
A teacher standing in front of a classroom of students, engaging them as they raise their hands to participate or ask questions.
A man speaking into a microphone in front of a large group of students seated in an auditorium with banners hanging from the ceiling.
A classroom filled with students in uniform attending a presentation on respectful relationships. The instructor is pointing at a slide titled 'Respectful Relationships' projected on the wall.
A large group of students seated in a theater or auditorium, listening to a speaker on stage, with a presentation slide projected on a screen.
Students seated in a school auditorium watching a presentation on stage, with a teacher points towards screens displaying slides.
Large group of students in school uniforms sitting on chairs in a gymnasium, arranged in rows for a chess competition.
A man in a checkered shirt presenting in front of an audience in a conference hall with wooden paneling and blue curtains, holding a microphone in his right hand and a clicker in his left, with a large screen displaying a PowerPoint presentation on t
Group of people sitting on the floor listening to a man speaking at a presentation during Senior Retreat 2024, with a projected logo and text on the wall behind him.
A group of students in blue uniforms seated at long tables in a school cafeteria listening to a man in a white shirt and tie holding a microphone.
A man in a red and black sports shirt is giving a presentation in a classroom. Behind him is a large screen with a slide titled 'School culture—starts with YOUR culture' and text, along with a photo of three students in school uniforms standing outsi
An audience seated in an auditorium watching a large stage with a screen displaying the text 'The best super-power to have would be...' and a speaker standing on the stage.
A group of students with blue ribbons in their hair facing a man giving a presentation in a spacious, modern indoor venue with large windows, seating areas, and a large screen.
A large indoor auditorium filled with students wearing matching uniforms, listening to a speaker on stage. The stage has a large screen displaying the words 'Healthy, Respectful Relationship' and is decorated with blue curtains.
A large group of schoolchildren in striped uniforms sitting and standing in a hall, with some adults among them. The hall has a large screen displaying a group debrief question, and the walls are white with wooden accents. The ceiling has ceiling fan

OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS

St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace

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All Hallows School

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Brisbane Grammar School

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Brisbane Girls Grammar School

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Marist College Ashgrove

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Mt Alvernia College

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Padua College

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Mt St Michael's College

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Nudgee College

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St Rita's College

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Clayfield College

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Moreton Bay Boys College

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Villanova College

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Loretto College

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Raymont College

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Ipswich Grammar School

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Ipswich Girls Grammar School

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St Ignatius College, Riverview

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Downlands College

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Parade College, Melbourne

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Peninsula Grammar School, Melbourne

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Iona College, Brisbane

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St Thomas Moore College

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Marymount College

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Daramalan College - Canberra

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Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)

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St Laurence's College

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Brisbane Boys College

St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace • All Hallows School • Brisbane Grammar School • Brisbane Girls Grammar School • Marist College Ashgrove • Mt Alvernia College • Padua College • Mt St Michael's College • Nudgee College • St Rita's College • Clayfield College • Moreton Bay Boys College • Villanova College • Loretto College • Raymont College • Ipswich Grammar School • Ipswich Girls Grammar School • St Ignatius College, Riverview • Downlands College • Parade College, Melbourne • Peninsula Grammar School, Melbourne • Iona College, Brisbane • St Thomas Moore College • Marymount College • Daramalan College - Canberra • Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) • St Laurence's College • Brisbane Boys College

Meet Ben Russell

Ben is a highly sought after education presenter who has engaged with thousands of students through targeted school-based workshops and has partnered with school staff in professional learning experiences across Australia. As an edu-presenter he has presented his findings on healthy relationships and student leadership formation at conferences in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. He specialises in the topics of student formation, leadership development and capability, relational pedagogy and student engagement.

Prior to working as Director of Empowerment-Ed, Ben spent over 15 years in school leadership roles in pastoral / wellbeing, student engagement, and student formation across a variety of school settings. This wealth of experience and practical insight along with his energy, engagement, and ability to motivate an audience will allow attendees to experience and participate fully in each engagement he facilitates.​

A man smiling in front of a beige brick wall, wearing a red and white checkered shirt.

What people say about us

  • Exceptional presentation by Ben Russell to our Year 8 students from Villanova College and Loreto College Coorparoo this afternoon and evening. Ben delved into critical subjects like respectful relationships, trust-building, and the dangers of toxic social media trends. His insights on the distorted perceptions created by social media and associated industries highlighted the need for realistic expectations. This session was not just informative but vital, instiling in our students an appreciation for themselves and fostering healthy relationships. Ben and his team facilitated a safe environment for our students to be open with each other and learn from each others individual perspectives. These lessons will undoubtedly shape their future interactions and empower them to create nurturing connections. Thank you, Ben and the team, for equipping our students with essential life skills!

    Alex Sullivan - Head of Year 8 / Head of House

  • Ben came and presented to our entire Secondary College over the course of four separate presentations on the topic of Respectful Relationships. He was professional in his approach, and it was clear he had experience in working with students of all ages. Ben was engaging and informative at the same time. He gave the students chances to have discussions around different topics in a safe and mature environment. Before the sessions, Ben engaged with the school to talk through the content and make it more specific to our school’s context. Each presentation was altered to suit the age groups present which made it more engaging for the students because they could relate to situations given to them and answer more honestly.

    Anthony Lewis - Deputy Head of Secondary MBBC

  • What a wonderful afternoon. Students from both schools were engaged in such important material and had fun along the way. Lots of learnings about respectful relationships! Thank you, Ben.

    (Head of Year 7 - Brisbane school)

  • I really liked having enough time to talk to the boys, but it wasn't awkward as Ben created a vibe that made it okay.

    Year 8 student

  • I think the best part of the workshop was how much of an eye-opening experience it was, and that it relayed a large amount of very relevant and useful information to the students.

    Year 9 Student

  • I just wanted to reach out and thank you again for your presentation - it was very engaging and informative. The concepts you spoke about were relevant and well-explained for their age, and something that really needs to be explicitly taught, regardless of background or privilege. It was great to be able to reference back to the scenarios and examples you gave in our Year Level assembly today..

    Kate Lee - Year 7 Leader, Downlands College

  • Thank you Ben Russell. It was awesome for you to speak with our staff and gain your insights, explore tangible solutions, and reflect on our practices. An engaging and truly worthwhile session.

    Deputy Principal

  • Thanks so much for the presentation Ben. Very valuable message to our Year 9 students presented in a way that kept them engaged the whole time.

    Chris O’Shea - Dean of Waterford Place

  • Thank you for working with us, Ben. We thoroughly enjoyed having you share your knowledge and experience with our growing group of young boys from Year 7-9. The students are excited as they prepare an assembly item for next week, inspired by some of the topics you explored with them. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon

    Sam Lennon - Head of Year - Clayfield College

  • We have been fortunate at Churchie to have partnered with Ben Russell and Empowerment-Ed, and are delighted that he has authored two bespoke units of work for our Year 8 students. Titled ‘knowing self’ and ‘building relationships’, a series of lessons will be delivered by housemasters, building upon Ben’s excellent launch lesson. We are enthusiastic about the potential of this new initiative for Year 8 boys, as they navigate what are often challenging times through adolescence.

    Berian William-Jones - Deputy Head of School - Churchie

  • Our Year 12 students had their Senior Retreat last week. Given the theme for the Catholic Church, we saw this as an opportunity for a pilgrimage of self discovery and collective liturgy. One of our days involved students being challenged and inspired to think about human dignity with Ben Russell who carefully curated a day to suit exactly what our cohort needed. Thanks Ben!

    Emma Hargraves - Assistant Principal - Marymount College

  • Thanks for visiting us Ben to work with our staff on classroom management. We received great feedback on the session and are looking forward to having you back later in the year.

    Chris Oakes - Deputy Principal - Downlands College

Get in Touch

For a friendly chat with our Director Ben, call 0422 066 281. For questions, bookings, and more info, please complete the contact form.