Mentoring Program

Ross Mortimer

Wellbeing Counsellor

During the year,  Jacinta Vengtasamy (Wellbeing Counsellor) and I have been working with students to develop the current Peer Support and Mentoring Program.  Through working together it was decided to focus on establishing a Student Mentoring Program, where students could be trained and supported in their group mentoring activities and the program could be sustainable.  In mid November Wellbeing staff trained 26, Year 8 and Year 9 student mentors who will assist Wellbeing staff in establishing activity based programs for new Year 7 students.    

The Mentoring Program group consists of like-minded students who want to make the school a better place by identifying and responding to student needs.  We want all students to feel welcomed, connected, heard, and supported in overcoming difficulties and achieving their best.  The Mentoring Program delivers group programs to support Year 7 students in their transition to secondary school.  Currently we run a group mentoring program on Wednesday (lunchtime), facilitating group sports activities for Year 7 students and on Thursday (lunchtime) we run a mentor-led drop in space, where we facilitate a safe space for games, activities and conversations for all year levels.   

Year 10 Student Mentors have established a really good base this year, and with new students who are full of new ideas we are excited about what the program can offer in 2023.  We are currently exploring leadership roles that will take over from the current Peer Support Captains' roles in SRC and provide a broader range of leaders across different year levels.  The Mentoring Program also hopes to assist Year 12 students in developing peer-led support and wellbeing programs. 

The Wellbeing staff team thank Alia Wong who (has recently completed Year 12) for her contribution to keeping this program going over the past two years.  The program also wants to thank all the current Year 10 mentors who have established a sports based program for Year 7 students this year and have set the standard that subsequent mentors can build upon.  Also, thank you to Anushka Sharma who has provided a leadership role this year and such helpful feedback and ideas for the future of the program. 

We have been overwhelmed by the support students have shown for the program.  Every person in this mentor group has wonderful qualities - such as kindness, generosity and understanding, and also great skills whether they be academic, in sport or connecting with people.  As a team I am so excited about what we can achieve next year by sharing these qualities and skills with the wider school community.

Wellbeing Captains 2023 are; 

Aleks Marijan 

Year 9

2023 Year 10 Wellbeing Captain  

I really enjoyed the mentoring training. I learned about my role as a mentor, my responsibilities and my boundaries, as well as how to be a supportive mentor. I found it helpful to explore my duty as a mentor, so I can better understand how I will support the junior school [students]. I look forward to ensuring that the Year 7 students have a wonderful transition to the school so I can help those who need it and address mental health. Thanks Ross and Jacinta for organising the program!  

Marlie Cassinides 

Year 9 

I enjoyed connecting with students I wouldn’t normally talk to, and sharing ideas to help improve [student] wellbeing at Brunswick Secondary College.  I am looking forward to being a person that younger students can come to and ask questions they might have about high school, as well as generally just meeting new people! 

Zak Zayat

Year 8

In training, I liked how we got to work with a variety of different people from different cultures and year levels. I also really enjoyed how it helped with my communication skills.  I am looking very forward to helping the Year 7students in getting comfortable in the school, classes and with other students. Also, I want to help them with their confidence and maturity level. 

James Zafiropoulos 

Year 8

In training, I liked how it taught me better leadership skills and communication with others. Mentoring training helps us connect with each other and others a lot better.  I am looking forward to working with the year 7 students -  I know some of them including my brother and my friends’ siblings. I am looking forward to running activities for these students and helping them adjust to their new school. 

Mary Zhu 

Year 9 

I really enjoyed the mentoring training sessions that I've attended to and I'm really looking forward to putting the plans that we discuss into action and help the new year 7 students when they come to school next year. 

Mohamed Yehia 

Year 8 

I liked how we got to work with just boys instead of working with mixed groups. I like how Ross was so chill and I learned a lot of leadership skills. It was good to work with others that I wouldn’t usually work with. 

Marli Fermor 

Year 9 

I enjoyed the training because I was able to get different perspectives of what my peers viewed as issues in the school, and I’m looking forward to helping the younger students with their transition into high school.