Called Shine, the program is sold by Hillsong to public and
private schools and community groups.
It is being used by Alexandria
Park Public
School and originated at the former Cleveland Street
High School in Surry
Hills in 1997.
Critics have said the program stereotypes women and could
damage their self-esteem.
There are also claims Hillsong is using Shine to recruit new
members.
Shine newsletters include testimonials from girls as young
as 10 talking about being allowed to wear as much make-up as they want, and using
tips learnt on a video called Pretty Woman. A careers page on the Shine website
encourages career paths including waitress, dance teacher, florist, travel
consultant and hairdresser.
A Waterloo
women’s health worker said many health and welfare services were deeply
concerned by the program.
“When I looked at the program I thought there’s a lot of
emphasis on appearance and make-up,” the woman, who did not want to be
identified, said.
One teenage girl said Shine was heavily promoted at her
school.
“I always got a bad vibe from the Shine program, which was
pushed relentlessly at assemblies and year meetings until enough people joined
up,” she said.
Schools pay Hillsong for the program, while parents pay for
products including make-up, stickers and journals.
Schools can then have Hillsong staff run Shine or train
their own staff.
In a statement on its website Hillsong claimed the program
cost schools and students nothing, but order forms on Hillsong’s website and
schools contacted contradicted this.
According to the Waterloo
health worker, Hillsong uses Shine for recruitment.
“There is a consequence that Hillsong members build a
relationship with these girls… then try and recruit them to go to Hillsong,”
she said.
“These young woman who run Shine are very good looking and
well dressed and charismatic, their heart is in the right place, but their
ultimate aim is to recruit members to the church.
“I have had situations here [local women’s health centre]
where Shine people have come in and harassed girls, the girls have said to me
‘I don’t want to go with them or talk to them’, and I have had to ask the Shine
people to leave.”
Alexandria
Park Community
School has run the
program for several years and principal Anne-Marie Vine defended its use.
“We did not have a problem with the program,” she said.
“There were some grooming and make-up sessions, but we saw
that as part of self-esteem and confidence building.”
Ms Vine said the school had paid Hillsong but could not recall
the amount.
Teachers Federation president Maree O’Halloran said the
program was inappropriate for public schools.
“It’s one thing to run a self-esteem course on outer beauty
but to recruit people… if that’s happening that is outside normal education,”
Ms O’Halloran said.
Parents and Citizens Federation president Dianne Giblin said
parents were deeply concerned.
“We think the money would be better spent providing a normal
counsellor. This money goes to the churches and not the schools; we don’t support
the program at all,” Ms Giblin said.
The NSW Education Department said Hillsong was allowed to
teach special religious education in NSW schools, but the Shine program had not
been specifically checked by the department, and could not say how many schools
were using it.
Greens education spokesman MLC John Kaye said Hillsong ran
the program under provisions in the NSW Education Act that allowed approved
churches to provide special religious education in public schools.
“Teachers have to be qualified and supervised – they have
reporting requirements,” Mr Kaye said. “Special religious education requires
none of that and it leaves children open to exploitation.”
NSW opposition spokeswoman for women Pru Goward questioned
Shine’s place in schools. “The commercial sector is already quite good at
pushing make-up and other products at women of all ages and does not need help
from religious
organisations,” Ms Goward said.
Hillsong did not respond to Central’s questions, but a
statement on its website said Shine was: “Practical sessions about personal
care, hygiene, peer pressure and goal setting…”
Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/made-up-to-shine/