Our peer mentoring programme aims to provide wellbeing support for Year 7 and 8 students. This begins as soon as they enter the often daunting world of ‘Big School’, and can cover a variety of topics, including raising confidence, learning how to be organised and other factors which can affect self-worth.
Younger students meet with a Year 10 student once a week and discuss their experiences. They discuss how to improve by setting personal goals which are reviewed weekly. This process is mutual and designed to be adaptable to the needs of each student. Evaluation of the programme each year has consistently shown that younger students recognise the positive impact having a peer mentor has had.
Year 10 students also benefit from the programme as they receive rigorous training throughout the year. After their initial training, we meet at the beginning of each term for ‘professional coaching’. Mentors share their issues and experiences with each other in a safe space and workshop ideas on how to respond in difficult situations.
Casterton peer mentoring is an exciting and integral part of the school’s pastoral system, where all students can feel valued and supported.