Testimonials

An empowering journey: Natalie and Steve Hall with Lucy and Emily

What teachers think:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to recommend the Arrowsmith Program being taught by Caterina Cerrina at Brain Athletics. She has achieved life-changing results for the many students she has taught over five years in a school setting and is now able to offer the Arrowsmith Program to the wider community.
During my forty years as a primary school principal, I had been involved in Maths and English research projects with Melbourne University and Australian Catholic University looking at ways to improve the learning outcomes for students in the early years of their education. Despite the efforts of everyone, many bright and intelligent children continued to be left behind resulting in poor prospects for most of them.

Students with learning disabilities have traditionally been treated with programs designed to compensate for their difficulties. The goal of the Arrowsmith Program, by contrast, is to help students strengthen the weak cognitive capacities underlying their learning dysfunctions. The Arrowsmith Program deals with the root causes of the learning disability rather than managing its symptoms.
The Arrowsmith Program identifies students’ learning strengths and weaknesses through careful assessment. Then a program of individualised exercises addresses nineteen cognitive functions and is individually designed for each student to target their precise areas of weakness.
Caterina did an outstanding job resulting in students in the program making giant strides that would have been impossible in the normal classroom setting. I had the privilege of being invited to the graduation of the first intake of students and see the new confidence of the children and hear the gratitude of the parents for what Caterina had been able to achieve with their children”

Gavan Murphy, retired school Principal – Melbourne

“As a classroom teacher, I have taught 7 Arrowsmith children over the last 5 years and watched their journey with great interest. Having taught a few of these children over multiple years, their progress was noticeable. My observations included a growth in self-confidence and a decrease in stress levels. This allowed them to try activities that would have previously been out of grasp with new enthusiasm. The sheer joy of mastering new levels within the Arrowsmith program was evident.
For many of the students, I observed them growing in organisational skills and maintaining their focus when back in the class. They felt confident to ask questions and take responsibility for their learning. The students seemed to find a new motivation for completing tasks. I was often close to tears when hearing them read a passage or watch them explain something in front of their peers with confidence and ease.
I thoroughly enjoy working with and learning from Caterina. She has a beautiful nurturing way with all the students. She has the ability to keep them focused and strive to achieve. The meticulously planned programs for each student are closely monitored. Caterina’s willingness to go above and beyond for the students is remarkable. She has an in-depth knowledge of the Arrowsmith Program and communicates this so clearly to students, classroom teachers and parents alike. Caterina’s passion for helping the students is absolutely inspiring.”

Louise J., Classroom Teacher – Melbourne

What Our Clients Say

Our daughter just started with the Arrowsmith Program this year, and I have to say that Caterina is outstanding, she’s one of the best educators that we’ve worked with.

We noticed immediate improvement in a number of areas. Her attention span improved, and she is now able to articulate herself and order her thoughts better. She now becomes less stressed under pressure and can follow more instructions in a row. We really are talking here about quite high-level improvement in a short space of time.

Caterina was able to explain how the exercises translate into brain changes and strengthening. She has an absolute speciality in connecting with kids and getting them engaged with learning, with the backup of the Arrowsmith Program. I’ve seen the other students at work, who are all just as engaged as our daughter.

Danielle, Arrowsmith Parent Brain Athletics, Melbourne, Australia

I remember before I started, school was an uncomfortable place for me, I was really stressed, but my parents asked me to trust them. The Arrowsmith Program was very different to any other school environment I’d been in. When you first look at the exercises you wonder how they would help, but believe me, they do.

I was really happy with my progress through the program because I could see results, and once every week or second week I’d be going to another level, which was awesome. It really gave me confidence, and I’m so grateful that I was able to do it.

The Arrowsmith Program has taught me resilience, and honestly, I sometimes wonder where I’d be in my life, if Arrowsmith hadn’t got me to where I am. I really enjoy school now, and I know that nothing will hold me back from whatever I want to do in life.

Ollie, 14yo former Arrowsmith Student Brain Athletics, Melbourne, Australia

Ollie was a happy child when he was younger, but as soon as he started school, his demeanour and happiness completely changed, and despite intense tutoring for his reading he was making no progress. I used to get very anxious prior to each school year, because I knew how much his learning issues were impacting his entire well-being, in all aspects of his life.

The decision to enrol Ollie in the Arrowsmith Program was the most confronting and challenging but the absolute best decision we could have made.

Ollie’s results have been amazing. The biggest impact, which is also the most important one for us, was that we had our happy child again. Ollie’s wellbeing has always been our first priority, and it was wonderful to watch him become comfortable in himself again and develop confidence in learning. Even though he spent three years focusing on the Arrowsmith Program, once he returned to mainstream education he gained confidence through his learning, more importantly his approach to learning which resulted in his progress. His reading has developed, he’s doing well at maths, and was nominated drama captain. Most impressively he studies and learns independently (even through COVID), he’s embraced technology as part of his learning, and best of all he has amazing confidence.
Ollie’s life trajectory has changed fundamentally. Thank you, Caterina.

Stacy, Ollie’s mother