The Student Mentoring Programme is made up of a team of Transition Year students nominated by class teachers as positive role models for first years.
Mentors receive training in September in conjunction with Limerick Youth Service. Training is geared towards working with younger students. Ongoing advice and support is given to mentors throughout the year.
The role of student mentors is to liaise with first year students, helping them to feel comfortable in their new surroundings while providing a big brother / sister role model.
First years may feel more at ease revealing concerns or asking for guidance from their peers, rather than a teacher. Mentors introduce themselves on the first day of the new academic year and then continue to foster positive relationships.
Mentors can be of help to class teachers or indeed any teacher organising activities involving first years. Teachers are very much encouraged to avail of their assistance.
The transition from Primary to Secondary can be a difficult one for some, but Student Mentors contribute to making it that bit easier.
In Transition year, the Buddy system has been running with great success for a number of years. The TYs ‘buddy up’ with the incoming first years and help to ensure a smooth transition from Primary school to Secondary School.
Each of the TYs act as a mentor for their select group of 1st years throughout the year.
They are there to help, support and advise them as they begin their journey through Post primary education.
As part of our Induction Programme we run a Mentoring or Buddy System between First Year students and TY students.
Each First Year has a TY Buddy. This Buddy meets with the First Year regularly and helps them to settle into life in a busy school. Events and trips are organised so that the students get to know each other better.
