Meet Our Characters
Discover the champions and protégés who guide children through their journey of emotional resilience, safety, and self-discovery.
Our Companion Guide
KIRBY
Loyal Companion & Wise Guide
Kirby is the loyal companion dog of SQS4KIDS and a wise, gentle guide for children. With a calm presence and a caring heart, Kirby helps explain big emotions in simple, comforting ways. Always by the children's side, Kirby encourages empathy, courage, and kindness while reminding kids that they are never alone on their learning journey.
The Champions
EMO
Champion of Emotions Regulation
IVY
Champion of inner and outer voices
GUS
Champion of identifying and understanding the 'gut reflex'
FATIMAH
Champion of Identifying and understanding grooming behaviour
STELLA
Champion of teaching children about boundaries (personal, social and private). Also the musical mentor of safety.
EMO
Champion of Emotions Regulation
Meet Emo, a 19-year-old Australian whose journey of self-discovery has shaped him into a powerful champion for emotional resilience. As a child, he grappled with fast emotions, often finding himself overwhelmed by the speed of them. In those moments, Emo would overreact, allowing his feelings to rule his responses. His hypervigilance left him constantly scanning for threats, even when no danger was present. Slowly, Emo grew to understand that life was better when he used his ability to remain calm in the face of stress and upset. His mantra became; "Always return to a state of calm." Emo creates a safe space for children to understand their emotions and acquire tools to calm their inner chaos. He teaches practical techniques that show children how to take control; to stop, breathe and think, rather than impulsively reacting. He helps them recognise that their bodies and minds are equipped with natural responses, designed to alert them to danger without the need to trigger a fight, flight, fawn, or freeze response. Emo's champion spirit fosters a community where emotions are recognised as valid and manageable.
IVY
Champion of inner and outer voices
Ivy, now 18, was born in Canada, but she calls Australia home now. Ivy always struggled with shyness but was hit by a traumatic event when she was 6 years old. She lost her voice and didn't utter a word for 12-months. It took dedication from her loving family and the support from a compassionate counsellor, for Ivy to find her voice and relearn the transformative power of communication. Ivy discovered that using her 'outer voice' was not just about expressing herself; it was for accessing her wants and needs. She found strength in the simple but potent word "no," which empowered her to disengage from situations she disliked or felt were unsafe. This newfound assertiveness marked a turning point in her life, allowing her to navigate her world with growing confidence. As a young teen, Ivy found meditation and other mindful practices. They provided her with a calm centre so she could see and reach beyond herself. She began to teach children the skill of listening to their 'inner voice' - the wise, intuitive guide that helps all of us to make the right choices. Loved by all for her kindness, quiet demeanour, and affectionate spirit, Ivy has a unique ability to create magic and fun with her protégés, inspiring them to embrace who they are. Ivy's journey from silence to self-empowerment explains the profound impact of one's 'inner' and 'outer' voice - lessons she passionately imparts to those she mentors.
GUS
Champion of identifying and understanding the 'gut reflex'
Gus is a proud 17-year-old Indigenous Australian teen. He grew up in a remote community that faced intergenerational trauma and disadvantage. His grandparents were part of the Stolen Generations and Gus has navigated these complexities with honesty and resilience. Despite these forever challenges, he's vowed to not let this tragic past defeat a positive future. As a young boy Gus struggled with his fast feelings, but he found sport, especially cricket and AFL football. These provided him with valuable lessons in teamwork and collaboration. He learned to work alongside various individuals, developing the ability to listen and communicate even with those he may not have liked personally. Through sports, Gus also grasped the significance of structure— having boundaries, following rules, and understanding his role within a team. This was the catalyst to be the best version of himself. This champion encourages his protégés to trust their instincts, name their feelings, and work with them. He also urges them to use their "smart brains" and assess each situation they face critically. Drawing from his own experiences, he guides children to develop positive problem-solving skills to navigate challenges with confidence. In all that he does, Gus displays an unwavering commitment to inspire this next generation of children.
FATIMAH
Champion of Identifying and understanding grooming behaviour
Fatima is 18 years old and migrated from Pakistan at just 7 years of age. She represents a blend of cultures. While her heart is fiercely devoted to her Muslim faith and rich heritage, she proudly navigates her life as a contemporary Pakistani Australian. Fatimah finds joy in storytelling, both as a listener and a narrator, and uses this to weave valuable lessons around some difficult topics such as 'grooming'. She teaches children what grooming is, and how it looks for children who are 7-8 years old. Her gentle and clear guidance evokes feelings of safety and trust making it easy for youngsters to open up and talk. Fatimah teaches that anyone could potentially be an unsafe person, making it vital for children to apply the skills they've learned from other champions – such as listening to their emotions, trusting their inner voice, and acknowledging those gut feelings that naturally want to assess the safety of any given situation. Above all, Fatimah stresses that trust is not simply given to another; it must be gradually earned. With Fatimah's guidance, children learn to navigate relationships with awareness, equipping them with the tools they need to foster their safety and well-being. She champions the belief that understanding one's boundaries is also fundamental to personal safety, cultivating a generation that values trust, respect, and self-awareness.
STELLA
Champion of teaching children about boundaries (personal, social and private). Also the musical mentor of safety.
Stella is a vibrant 16-year-old Australian girl with a Japanese heritage. She's outgoing, has wicked sense of humour, and a warm relating style. As the elder sister of Skye, one of the protégés in the program, Stella has taken on a significant role in their family. Following the sudden passing of their mother during Skye's birth, Stella has stepped up to help her father raise her. This has created a special bond between them; they are tiger sisters forever! Music is Stella's sanctuary and a unique way to express herself. She plays guitar and writes songs. Stella teaches children about the importance of personal, social, and private boundaries and their importance in identifying safe and unsafe people. She also encourages children to reach out to a champion of their own whenever they feel uncertain or unsafe. She introduces an innovative concept: the SQS Button (a play on the words 'SOS' and 'Safety Cues'). This button, within each lesson, allows children to discreetly signal for help. By pressing it, an email will be sent to the teacher in charge of the program, indicating that a child wishes to talk about a possible unsafe person or a difficult situation. This clever approach enables children to take a dynamic role in their well-being. Stella's blend of humour, musical talent, and care shows children that it is possible to turn a heartbreak into strengths, and that seeking help is a courageous step.
The Protégés
SQS4KIDS features three engaging protégés. They link your students to the learning at hand. As illustrated, below, each brings their own narrative. Their comradery and trust in each other illustrate the strength found in a kind and connected community.
ABEL
SKYE
LANI
As our protégés embark on their SQS4KIDS adventure, they'll lead students into opportunities to collect rewards and medals for mastering their Safety Q's (vital safety and protection concepts) which boost the personal safety of all young people. Rewards engage and reinforce Safety Q's which support student to integrate and generalise skills into real life scenarios.