Made up to shine

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/