Testimonials

As a dedicated and compassionate educator, Sal’s deep understanding of wellbeing practices, combined with his genuine care for others, has made a significant impact on our school community. His initiatives in providing professional learning and developing student programs in the areas of mindfulness, resilience, mindset (fixed and growth) and overall wellness, have not only benefited students but have also inspired fellow staff members to adopt healthier lifestyles.

In addition to his expertise in wellbeing, Sal has been instrumental in integrating the framework of positive education within our wellbeing and academic programs. His commitment to fostering a positive learning environment has changed the way we approach the education of wellbeing. By integrating principles of positive education, Sal has helped students to understand their character strengths and to develop resilience, optimism, and a growth mindset. The programs have not only assisted in improving academic outcomes but have also enhanced the overall wellbeing of our students.

Sal has also played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of the ‘Positively Ignatian’ initiative, which seamlessly integrates our Ignatian Charism with the pillars of Positive Psychology – PERMAH (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health). In promoting this holistic approach to wellbeing across the entire school community, Sal has fostered a culture of care, resilience, and growth, benefiting students, staff, and the broader community.

Anna Salmic

Deputy Principal Students, Loyola College

Fintona Girls’ School has had the privilege of working with Sal Valentino (Aspire Wellbeing Education), delivering the Mental Health First Aid program with staff.

The program was very well received, with a number noting it was one of the best professional learning experiences, as we continue to build our toolkit to understand and support the young people in our care.

Rachel Falloon

Principal, Fintona Girls’ School

We had an excellent experience with Aspire Wellbeing Education. The presentation on employee wellbeing and workplace culture was engaging, professional and highly relevant to our team.

Sal presented for 40 minutes at our toolbox meeting and the content was practical and easy to relate to, with valuable insights that encouraged our employees to think differently about wellbeing and the role we all play in creating a positive workplace culture. Will definitely engage Sal and his services again in the future.

The feedback from the team was very positive, and the presentation generated some great conversations following the session. I would highly recommend Sal to any organisation looking to strengthen employee wellbeing, engagement and workplace culture.

David Hyams

Wormald, Victorian Service Manager

It was an absolute pleasure welcoming and having your professional (Aspire Wellbeing Education) service speak and present to our teams this morning here at the Gnarwarre BESS Project.

Impressive and outstanding, your positive engagement was highly relatable.

In today’s fast-paced and demanding, troublesome world, the ability to maintain focus, overcome stressful conditions and clarity under pressure is invaluable.

Using real-life examples like the Richmond Tigers made the session not only relevant but also impactful for our teams.

Tatira

Samsung HSE Manager, Gnarwarre BESS Project

Sal’s Resilience Doughnut presentation at Loyola College for our Year 10 cohort was truly transformative. Sal's engaging and insightful approach captivated our students from start to finish.

He adeptly communicated the importance of resilience in a relatable and inspiring way for teenagers. The practical strategies and anecdotes from people within the community he shared resonated deeply with our students, equipping them with valuable tools to navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

The feedback from our students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the immediate impact of his message. We are incredibly grateful for Sal’s contribution to our school’s wellbeing program and look forward to welcoming him back in the future. Thank you, Sal, for making such a positive difference in the lives of our students.

Jacqueline Salamon

Director of Students, Loyola College

“Finding Your Voice” was a powerful wellbeing and leadership workshop that helped students build confidence, discover their authentic strengths, and develop the courage to express themselves positively. The engaging activities and reflective workbook provided practical tools that students were able to apply in both their personal and academic lives. We saw students grow in self-awareness, resilience, and leadership throughout the program.

We highly recommend “Finding Your Voice” and the work of “Aspire Wellbeing Education” to any school committed to developing confident, capable, and purpose-driven young people.

Eder Ramos Rosa

Year 12 Coordinator, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College

Sal delivered an engaging and thought-provoking presentation on a range of topics relating to modern mental health, while also grounding his message with an old-school sense of purpose. Our group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from March to November, and over the years we have welcomed many guest speakers. However, Sal's contribution stood out in a remarkable way.

The true measure of his impact was reflected not only on the night, where our members listened intently and were captivated from start to finish, but also in the days following, as many approached me to share how impressed they were with both his knowledge and delivery.

Sal brought professionalism, authenticity, and real value to our community. I would not hesitate to recommend him as a speaker for any group or organisation.

Guido Bonanni

Men’s Shed at the Veneto Club

Attending this course was a game-changer, completely transforming my understanding of mental health.

Now, I’m self-assured in my ability to notice and react to someone facing a mental health problem, making certain that they receive the professional help they need, or that the situation is diffused. Sal was exceptional in delivering the material in a clear, engaging, and relatable way. His friendly and approachable demeanour made everyone feel comfortable to share and discuss, which really enriched the learning experience. Without a doubt, the knowledge and skills I’ve picked up from this course will have a lasting impact!

F. Veis

Head of Positive Education & Personal Development, Loyola College

I have known Sal for nearly 20 years. We met as colleagues in a ‘Rock and water’ training program and was evident from the start how Sal is enthused about all things, ‘student wellbeing’.

For several years, Sal was the ‘champion’ for the intergenerational programs I facilitated at his school. We worked together on interactive sessions with students and their mothers at school and were alongside each other on the Yarra River at Canoeing Camps for the students and their dads/mentors.

Sal was a great contact internally within his school. He was a natural at being the host for events and thought about all aspects to enhance the experience for the families in his school community. That’s an important point because now Sal is offering wellbeing workshop experiences to school communities – he will know how to guide you if you are his key contact at your school. Sal’s attention to detail and vast experience of being in a wellbeing and positive education role means that he will know how to maximise the impact of the event he delivers for you.

Add to this Sal’s extraordinary passion for the wellbeing of young people in schools and in turn their families: this means that you will receive a workshop or seminar that has highly useful, actionable takeaways for your participants. And Sal’s thirst for knowledge in this area means you will receive up-to-date information in the wellbeing space.

It is worth stating again, it’s an honour to commend Sal Valentino to you. Sal is a great educator and communicator and perhaps most importantly, a person of high integrity.

Bill Jennings

Founder, Time & Space

We engaged Aspire Wellbeing Education to be the keynote presenter for our recent Year 10 Retreat. Sal from Aspire delivered an engaging and timely presentation on building Resilience to our students, demonstrating both expertise in the material and skilled audience interaction.

His natural ability to connect with students was evident throughout the session, maintaining their attention through a balanced mix of discussion, movement, and practical exercises.

The introduction of techniques like box breathing provided students with simple yet effective tools for managing overwhelming situations. Sal’s approach to delivering complex wellbeing concepts was particularly effective with our boys, who responded well to the interactive format and hands-on activities.

What stood out was Sal’s capacity to manage a large group while keeping the session both productive and engaging. The impact of his presentation was clearly demonstrated by students continuing to discuss the strategies the following day, indicating that the key messages had resonated with them.

The session successfully balanced educational content with practical application, making important wellbeing strategies accessible and memorable for our students.

We have booked Aspire Wellbeing to work with our Senior School students during our upcoming HeadStart Program, sure that we will receive professionally delivered, research-based wellbeing content.

Guido Piotti

Deputy Principal (Students), St. Joseph’s Ferntree Gully

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Sal from Aspire Wellbeing Education to speak with our coaching team, and we were incredibly impressed. Sal was an outstanding presenter.

He was engaging, thoughtful, and highly relatable. His ability to use real-life examples made the session not only relevant but also impactful for our coaches.

Since the presentation, we’ve noticed a clear positive shift in our team’s approach and mindset. The insights Sal shared resonated deeply and have already made a meaningful difference in how our coaches work with others and with each other.

We’re very grateful for the experience and are already looking forward to having Sal back again in the near future. Highly recommended!

Beth Casey

General Manager, Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club

We were blessed to have Sal Valentino present to our Year 10s on the Resilience Doughnut. Sal was extremely engaging and captured the audience with his knowledge, wit, and his ability to connect with students.

A Year 10 audience can be tough to engage but Sal knew the climate and was able to connect with all our students. It was evident that Sal has a strong educational background and is a highly capable presenter who with sound theory behind his practice. The students left on a high and I know they took with them the tools that Sal provided regarding resilience. I could not recommend anyone more highly. Thankyou Sal, you made a difference.

Sean Simpson

Head of Acutis House, Loyola College

The ‘Passenger versus Contender' workshop by Sal was very impactful on our Year 11 students! His ability to seamlessly blend motivational insights with practical advice resonated deeply with each student.

The workshop not only inspired them to dream big but also equipped them with tangible strategies to turn their aspirations into achievements. Sal fostered an environment of encouragement and empowerment, leaving a lasting impression on all. It really was a great workshop for anyone seeking to unlock their true potential.

Christina Sudano

Student Leadership Coordinator

I recently had the privilege of attending a youth mental health training program facilitated by Sal Valentino. His expertise, empathy, and engaging presentation style made the training not only informative but also deeply impactful.

Sal created a safe and supportive environment where everyone felt heard and valued. His ability to connect with all attendees with compassion and clarity was truly commendable. Thank you, Sal. We all left the program feeling more knowledgeable and empowered to support mental health within our college community.

Vanda Tolli

Head of House, Loyola College

Thank you Aspire Wellbeing for bringing positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer.

Camp Quality

Thank you so much for your guidance and support throughout the course. I truly appreciate the time and effort you’ve invested in making the learning experience so engaging and insightful.

Shamira Dutkovich

Head of Learning-English, Al Siraat College

Sal’s presentation was a game-changer for me. His words motivated me to prioritise my wellbeing and approach my personal growth with a new perspective.

JACSA

Student Leader

The course was fantastic, and the staff feedback has been great. We really enjoyed it, found it beneficial and were all able to take away lots of learning. Thank you for facilitating it.

Shani Martin

Health Centre Manager, Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar