News Feed

"Taking shame out of the equation and really listening helps us foster compassionate, grounded and empathetic young people." 

Last week we were privileged to have Student Wellbeing guest speaker, Youth Advocate Daniel Principe, return to BGS for candid conversations with Year 10. 

It’s easy to see why Daniel has been nominated for 2025 NSW Young Australian of the Year, with passion that pours off the page from the get-go. 

Combining engaging anecdotes with confronting statistics and atypical approaches to challenging questions, Daniel connected on a personal level with the boys to champion honesty. 

He peeled away shame by challenging stigma and making space for every voice, so students were enabled to freely explore the realities of life as a young man in the modern world. 

Over 80 minutes they tackled a slew of challenging topics together like speaking up, the pros and cons of technology and social media, resisting negative or distorted views on relationships and bodies, and what it means to be a “good man” in 2025. 

After being asked to consider their greatest challenges, Daniel invoked hope in the students by helping them to identify healthy and helpful approaches to growing up. A sense of solidarity was created to combat the division often induced by this digital epoch. 

He says, "I've seen when men are healthy, grounded, secure and loving - the good that does to schools, to communities, to families and to relationships. When we don't help boys launch into healthy manhood, that can cause harm to them and to others." 

We thank Daniel for holding space with Year 10 and exploring what it means to "challenge culture and live a courageous, empathetic and respectful life." 

Watch our short interview with Daniel below or learn more about him here.