Learning activity 4 – Establishing a student mentoring program
Student mentoring programs can be very useful when helping students adjust to a new environment, improve their knowledge, or to learn a new skill. Mentoring programs are beneficial for mentors and mentees in that both can develop leadership, collaboration and communication skills in a structured environment.
Investigate
Investigate the following examples of mentoring:
- Introduction to Peer Mentoring for Schools: Inclusive School Communities
- Mentoring programs - Carlingford High School (nsw.gov.au)
Is there anything in these examples that could be adapted for your school?
When developing a mentoring program for students transitioning from primary to secondary school, consider which year levels would make the best mentors. For example, Year 6 students visiting the school may be ‘buddied up’ with Year 9 students on their day visits and orientation. When entering their new secondary school as Year 7s, the school could then arrange for students to still spend time with their then-Year-10 mentors or buddies.
Discuss
Discuss the following with your colleagues – include primary and secondary transition colleagues in this conversation:
- Has the school the capacity to run a mentoring program?
- Which year level is currently the most appropriate to serve as mentors for students entering Year 7?
- Check calendars for clashes, but importantly, also check for opportunities. What are the best times to run programs that least disrupt students’ learning but that optimise relationship building?
- Look at dates for the following year for the new Year 7 students. What follow up will there be to ensure that students have successfully transitioned? Can buddie/mentors be involved?
