Fostering Leadership and Guidance for Year 8 Students
At the end of Year 10, Citipointe students can apply for mentoring positions in the Year 11 mentor program. In the new year, all Year 8 students are assigned to mentor groups of three to five students.
Mentor groups meet every Monday during morning tea at their chosen meeting spot. The purpose is for Year 8 students to have a senior student (mentor) who they can connect with. These mentors can answer questions to guide younger students throughout the year.
These mentor groups also compete on Year 8 camp in all sorts of challenges to help them with relationship building. Year 11 mentors help plan Year 8 Camp and run activities such as challenges, worship sessions and entertainment on camp.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Year 11 mentors to develop and practise their leadership skills. Teachers and the school counsellor brief Year 11 mentors, explaining their roles and preparing them for the task.
It is important for the mentors to understand that it is not their role to 鈥渇ix鈥� any issues that may occur within their mentor groups, but to guide students to seek support and report any concerns to teachers or counsellors.
Mentors meet every Friday for mentor training sessions, where the College Vice Presidents facilitate mentor training under the guidance of the Year 11 Head of Year. Mentors receive training in topics such as 鈥淗ow to start a conversation鈥�, the LATE model (active listening skills), assisting mentees with assessment planning etc.