Mentoring Programme
In
2007 a mentoring programme was set
up for our first year students by Career Guidance teacher, Mrs. Mc Namara. The
mentoring system is being organised to help First year students familiarise
themselves with their new school and to provide assistance for them from our
fourth years.
There was a big interest expressed from
our fourth years and interviews were conducted to find the most suitable
students for the job in hand. The mentors then underwent a day’s training in
the roles of mentoring and various skills they could use. Finally 19 mentors
were chosen and each was assigned either 3 or 4 first year students, ( mentees
). This was conducted in the Ballinamore Enterprise Centre, Willowfield road,
Ballinamore. See pictures below.
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In November 2007 the mentors met with their
respective mentees, ( groups of 3 or 4 ) during SPHE class for the first time.
This provided the first years with an oppurtunity to tell an older student
some of their concerns and worries concerning all aspects of school life
with the mentors providing assistance and advice. The mentors and mentees
have met once a week since November and this will continue until
Christmas. Meetings will continue after Christmas. See pictures below.
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To help the bonding process between each
individual group a training day was held in the newly re-furbished Lough Key
Forest Park. Due to the time of year activities were conducted inside and each
mentor and their group of 3 or 4 students were faced with a number of challenges
where only co-operation would see them succeed.This is based on a Swedish idea
called BORDA BORG. Individual groups would enter a room and only when they
solved a specific puzzle would the door open for the next room. If you got
through a room your arm was stamped and at the end, the group with the most
stamps showed the greatest level of co-operation. The experience was invaluable
for getting familiar with your group and it was thoroughly enjoyable for all
concerned. Great thanks to the facilities at Lough Key and to the teachers who
assisted on the day, Mrs. Mc Namara, Mrs. Gillen, Mr Cunnane and Mrs. Greevey.
We hope the system will be of great benefit to both mentors and mentees.
See pictures below.
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In May 2008, the mentors and mentees visited Lough Key outdoor pursuit centre for a day's activities.
