Locals are being invited to become volunteer mentors for local school students in the new Plan-it Youth program which is being set up as a joint project between Oberon Council, Oberon High School and Plan-it Youth.
Plan-it Youth co-ordinator Deborah Gittins said Plan-it Youth, which has been operating in some NSW schools since 1997, is a very successful program for school students who may be thinking of leaving school early, or students who may need extra support or guidance for their future.
Ms Gittins said the idea of the program is that the students spend one-on-one time at the school with their mentor to help find goals and direction in their life for around one-and-a-half hours a week for a 10 to 12-week period.
Ms Gittins said the program will be running at Oberon High School for a small number of year 9 students, starting on October 21 and finishing at the beginning of December this year.
She said the program is looking for inspiring mentors to help the students. Mentors should be motivated locals, who may participate in local groups or be local business owners, and who have a lot of life experience.
Ms Gittins said the mentors also need to be flexible, approachable and be able to communicate well.
“The mentors need to have a certain warmth about them,” she said.
Mentors will need to complete a TAFE course, which will be around 12-16 hours in length.
Deborah said although mentors are not paid, it is a very rewarding experience.
“They are paid by the joy of being involved,” she said.
Corporate planner for Oberon Council, Joanne Barton said it can be a very fulfilling process for both student and mentor, and council is becoming involved in the program to continue its support of extra educational opportunities for Oberon students, much like their involvement in school-based traineeships and the pre-industry links program.
Oberon High School principal David Scott said he jumped at the chance of running the program at his school, as he has heard about its great track record.
“I have always been envious of other schools that had it,” he said.
“It is about developing self-esteem and confidence in the students.”
Applications forms for mentors will be available at Oberon High School. For more information please call Deborah on 6334 8200.
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