Bourke High School Mentoring Program

The mentoring program at Bourke High School was initially funded as a project from Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) in 2003. When DEST funding for the project ceased, the Premier's Department through the Community Solutions program provided further funding.

The mentoring program targets students in Year 8 and Year 7. Students are matched with adults working in the Bourke community. These include mentors from businesses, government departments and private organisations.

The aim of the mentor program is to develop life goals for students, develop constructive relationships with adults and to give students exposure to the work environment. The program is run by the Community Mentor Coordinator who recruits volunteers to be mentors for students and organises the activities for the mentor program.

Students and mentors meet for an hour each week where the students and mentors work through a variety of activities to develop trust and form a relationship between the two. Due to the age of the students, they are unable to attend the workplace with their mentor as a work placement. This problem is overcome by organising excursions to the workplace of the mentor. These excursions occur a number of times during the year.

The program has proved to be a positive for mentors and in particular students. The success of the program has been measured by feedback from mentors and students. Depending on future funding arrangements the school is looking to expand the program for Year 10 and Year 11 students.

In 2004 the success of program was recognised by organisations outside the Bourke community requesting the structure of the program for implementation in their own communities.

For further information

Contact	:	Nigel Brito
Address	:	Principal, Bourke High School
Phone	:	02 6872 2560