Program seeks mentors
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Not for profit organisation OzChild is seeking people interested in mentoring school students in Baw Baw Shire.
The mentor program is being rolled out across Victoria following data showing that school refusal from students has increased markedly in the past five years.
The motto of the mentor program is “Your past, their future” and it is aimed at students potentially at risk of disengaging from school. The focus of the program is assisting years six and seven students with the sometimes difficult transition from primary to secondary school.
The program currently has 12 mentors across Neerim South and Drouin Primary Schools and Drouin Secondary College. Coordinator of the mentor program Claire Martel says they are ideally looking to increase the number of mentors to 20.
Claire says the commitment for mentors is only one hour per week during school hours and schools are flexible as to when the hour is completed.
Apart from the huge benefits for students struggling at school, Claire says the mentor program is a rewarding opportunity for the mentors. “Mentors experience something rewarding and valuable from the program themselves by engaging and providing their life experience to the students.”
Maddi Stuart is a year six student at Drouin Primary School and she and her mentor Wendy Jayama agree. Maddi says she enjoys the hour she spends with Wendy immensely. “It’s fun being able to talk and play some games and do activities outside of normal class.”
The program is part of a number of initiatives introduced by the Department of Education following a submission to a Senate inquiry into school absenteeism and refusal. The inquiry revealed that between 2018 and 2021 the rate of school refusal grew by 50 per cent. In 2021 11,285 students in Victorian State Schools were officially absent due to school refusal.
OzChild senior coordinator Sarah Savage says evidence shows that years six and seven students are particularly vulnerable to the problem. “It seems that the transition to high school from primary school is a real contributing factor to school refusal,” she says.
Sarah says that the program is aimed at students who are still attending school but have exhibited behaviour that could lead to school refusal. “The mentor program aims to pair students and mentors with a view to providing the students with a supportive ear.”
Schools participating in the program identify students who may benefit from a mentor relationship and speak to their parents to get their buy-in. At this point the student will be matched with an appropriate mentor based on their interests and life experience.
For further information about volunteering for the program please contact Claire Martel at clairemartel75@gmail.com