Welcome to three representatives of three special schools, 
 who will tell you each a story.
And who will make clear what makes their stories so special.
I'll start with some introductions:
My name is Kelly van der Zee and I'm 
 from Landgraaf. I attended the Charlemagne College.
I'm Simon Hulshof and I attended De Koers College for Ondernemend 
 Leren, in Beverwijk, which is a Sudbury Valley school.
I'm Omarfaruk, alumni of the IMC Weekend college in north Amsterdam.
It's a good initiative for aspects of your future 
 goals and that's we're going to talk about.
Omar, we'll stay with you, can you tell us something 
 about your school and what makes it so unique?
The IMC Weekend College was founded by Heleen Terwijn, now 
 director. It's a three year college, on Sundays.
You follow classes either from 10am to 3pm or a little earlier. They will 
 help you see more potential in your future and what you can become.
The focus is not of theory. You can join a lawyer 
 or perhaps a judge and follow them, the craziest occupations.
You'll see the greatest and most uncommon places, which you 
 might not see if you're not at this college.
(Theo) - Some great experiences
(Omar) - Exactly. And you will need 
 those experiences in this world, if you want to succeed.
It's not just at school either. Once you graduate, you keep those 
 connections. You can get private tuition. You can go many directions.
(Theo) - That good to hear. You'll get a huge amount of experience 
 once you leave this college. Now Simon also has a great story.
Yes, while at secondary school, things went a bit downhill for 
 me. My grades were poor, I grew tired and uninterested.
I even went through therapy because of depression, eventually four days a week. 
 Then I read about a school in Beverwijk in the newspaper.
Where they allow students to do whatever they want during the day, 
 they leave the choices to us. All decisions are made
democratically. You have a fair say, like everyone else.
This meant for 
 me that I wasn't 'forced' to do things anymore.
I really like it because it makes me feel free again at school.
(Theo) - Well told, we'll talk about it more later.
Kelly, what makes 
 it so unique to have worked with the module 'Gelukskunde' (Luckology)?
It makes you special, Luckology says it all; you're taught how to be happy.
The first three quarters of the first year I couldn't participate. I was too 
 tired and saw things too negatively. Then I followed a few classes.
I felt so much better. They taught me to write down 
 my negative thoughts and throw them away in the bin.
This is a way of releaving myself of these thoughts. I've benefitted so much from only 
 four classes, I can't imagine how happy you can be from following a whole year!
And I received so much support. Also from Theo Wismans, my parents too.
I went to a few psychologists but no one knew why I was 
 always so tired. It turned out to be a chronic tiredness syndrome.
You don't really have a choice but to learn how to 
 deal with it and that's the way to get better.
I want to tell people that they can get help all around but in 
 the end they have to help themselves and Luckology can help you!
Well you gave your message to everyone here. You have to do it 
 yourself. It has to come from your heart. I'm proud you succeeded.
I see similarities with Simon. Could you share any tips 
 or ideas from your experience to the people?
Yes. Base your decisions on what will give you energy. I had the 
 choice between therapy or be free at school. I weighed my options.
Therapy wears you out and I chose something that energizes me. I'm 
 at a place where I can do what I want.
It's helped me a lot. I've been to Belgium to set up a school 
 who use the same methods. I've been to Berlin with fellow students.
I've been invited for the Democratic School council and after 
 I accepted our numbers reached more than 7000 students.
It gives me strength. I can do more than I ever could and I finally feel 
 like I felt when I was only six, when I had energy. I feel happy.
(Theo) - Omar, would you like to add something?
Come to the IMC Weekend College if you can. It's not just good for 
 your future but also for co-operation.. it's hard to explain in so
short a space of time. You can check out the website: www.imcweekendschool.nl/home/english/
It contains a lot of information about us.
I think we've hears some amazing stories today about special people, special 
 schools, please take with you the highlights of these talks.
And I think we'll have a wonderful TEDxYouth in Amsterdam today.
Thank you!
