School-Based Mentoring

WHAT IS SCHOOL-BASED MENTORING?

It’s a small commitment that makes a big difference. Become a mentor to a child in a school environment. You’ll help build a child’s self-esteem and school performance while having a lot of fun. And it only takes one hour a week during the school year. One child. One hour a week. One big reason to go back to school.

A Lesson in Friendship!

Kids enjoy School-Based Mentoring. And parents know what a difference it makes. But some of the biggest supporters of School-Based Mentoring are actually teachers. They see students come back from their one hour a week mentoring sessions with confident smiles, ready to learn and ready to succeed.

Kids Who Feel Better About Themselves Do Better in School.

School-Based Mentoring is not a classroom programme, and it’s not tutoring. School-Based Mentoring is one-to-one mentoring that takes place in the schools. Of course, some students do talk with their mentors about class, do homework or read together, but it’s really all about friendship and guidance. You can play, kick a ball or shoot hoops — whatever you and the student enjoy. You don’t need any special training or certification. If you can spend a few hours a month, arranged around your needs and the school’s schedule, you may be able to start participating in a School-Based Mentoring programme soon!

Mentors include corporate volunteers, university students and high school students, as well as individuals from the community and faith-based organisations.  Big Brothers Big Sisters provides regular on-site supervision, programme coordination and serves as liaison between collaborating partners.

The mentoring takes place on the school site during the school year and during the holidays school-based matches are encouraged to keep in touch via letters and e-mails.

The school-based programme is currently offered in Christchurch, Nelson, Taranaki and Westland. More programmes will be developed as soon as resources allow.