As teachers and mentors get used to working together, they often develop other ideas for joint projects. These initiatives often reach a larger number of students, albeit for a shorter time. Students also develop the teamwork and social skills required in a workplace when they meet other students and mentors.
Many projects have created models that could be easily adapted to other schools, pending mentor availability, funding and school interest. New models are also developing that are developing other community partnerships.
2007 |
Aboriginal Cultural Awareness training – Mentors attended a two day training camp in Wollombi to learn about Aboriginal culture. Cross cultural understanding and networking is an important aspect of supporting Aboriginal young people in schools. (Many thanks to trainers Dave and Cass and Glendale Outreach.) |
Building Links – Boys from Hunter Sports and Belmont helped a mentor/builder to complete the framework for two cabins at a local site. This specially designed pilot partnership aimed to simulate an on-site ‘building experience’ to give them ‘hands-on’ experience, including teamwork and the satisfaction of seeing a project from early stages to completion. |
2006 |
Girls’ Day – Mentors and teachers are developing a one-day program for Year 9 girls. Whilst only a small number will be able to continue with mentoring support, the workshop will provide the opportunity to discuss work-related issues with a larger number of girls (Belmont High School - November). |
Let’s Talk – Some young people are concerned about speaking into a group and participating in a job interview. Year 9 and 10 students interested in gaining confidence through public speaking participated in a short program coordinated by mentors (Glendale Technology High School). |
Year 11 mentors Year 8 – Hunter Sports High School (Gateshead) used their experience with Plan-it Youth Hunter to trial a very similar model for students in Year 11 to mentor students in Year 8. Year 11 were invited to participate, received introductory training, were matched and arranged weekly meeting times. These occurred in the Year 11 ‘spare’ period for a minimum of one term. Year 11 mentors met for regular debriefing with the coordinating teacher. |
Past Projects |
Year 11: Set Up For Success breakfast project (Lake Macquarie High School). Mentors met interested students before school for breakfast once a week to encourage them to complete Year 11. Students valued the moral support and requested help with time management, planning and goal setting. |
Working with Strangers: Making a Mentoring DVD. Students and mentors from Belmont, Hunter Sports and West Wallsend High Schools worked together to create a short dvd about their mentoring experiences. This project encouraged students to interact with people they did not know in order to complete a project. |
Business 4 Youth – The aim of this project was to raise awareness of small business as an employment option for young people. Belmont and Hunter Sports High School Year 10 students worked with a mentor to research a business idea and link theory to practice. The project was supported by Lake Macquarie Small Business Development Centre, Toronto Workers Club and Lake Macquarie Youth Network. |
Year 8 mentoring through literacy – Northlakes High School. This program was instrumental in helping Plan-it Youth Hunter clarify vision and purpose. The training and support requirements for mentors were not easily transferable from our existing model. Additional resourcing was required. |
