Mentoring is a big part of our culture at Santa Maria College. Our staff, students and alumni all have opportunities to be involved in mentoring at some point.

This year we have two mentoring programs for Middle Years girls. They are:

• Study Buddies for Years 5 – 6
• Homework Heroes for Years 7 – 9

We love peer mentoring because it offers benefits to both parties.

1. Mentors develop mentoring skills and have the opportunity to serve others with academic support
2. Mentees benefit from assistance from someone of a similar age who understands the challenges they face and can approach them with empathy.

Study Buddies

Study Buddies will see Year 10 students mentoring the Years 5 – 6 girls. The program will be coordinated by Mrs Hansen and focuses on friendship, resilience and organisation. The Year 10s have been encouraged to be a friend first, a mentor second and never the teacher.

A peer tutor provides expertise, experience and encouragement with many aspects of school life, including homework. They do not provide answers, instead, they assist in problem-solving, and getting answers through questioning.

All sessions will be held in DG3 in Doyle.

There will be teachers supervising at every session.

Sessions run on:

Wednesday 7.45 – 8.30 am

Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30 pm

Thursday 7.45 – 8.30 am

Homework Heroes

Homework Heroes is an opportunity for Years 7 – 9 girls to be mentored by Year 11s. The Year 11 girls will provide subject-specific help and their insights and experience in those subjects. Teachers will also be available to assist during these afternoon sessions.

All sessions will be held in the Plaza.

Sessions run on:

Tuesdays 3.30 – 4.30 pm

Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30 pm