As our new 1st yr class settles into Ballinamore Community School, ten 5th yr students have volunteered to Mentor them. Each Mentor will work with a group of seven students throughout the year.

The aim of this initiative is to help our 1st yr students to settle-in to a new school life. Each 1st yr is linked with a Mentor, whom they can approach for help or support at any time.

During key times in the year, Mentors will have a series of workshops with the 1st yr students. They will engage in activities to help all 1st yrs to get to know each other and to learn to work as part of a team and develop good communication skills.

This morning was the first workshop between Mentors and our 1st yrs. Mentors initiated a series of activities which reflected good communication and trust. After all the physical activity, each 1st yr was then assigned a Mentor. In small groups they chatted through how school life was going for them and discussed any questions they had. To finish then, each students was rewarded for their efforts with a drink and a little treat!

First Year Mentoring