MATES Mentoring Program

29/06/2022

New information & training schedule released! RSVP [email protected] or call Vanessa on 0418 312 556.

24/06/2022

Att: Wimmera & Southern Mallee In-School Coordinators
Mid-year review: Now is a good time to once again review your schools volunteer policy and risk register. If you need support, please contact our coordinator, Vanessa, on 0418 312 556. Support is also available through Department of Education and Training's School Policy Template Portal.

Department policy on the legal rights of volunteer school workers and the responsibilities of schools in managing volunteers

02/06/2022

BLAST FROM THE PAST!
This video was one of the very first promotional videos of MATES Mentoring put together by program create, and then coordinator, Sallie. We love this one!

A video of interviews with students in the MATES Mentoring Program speaking of what MATES means to them and how it is changing their lives.To find out more g...

01/06/2022

IDEAS BANK

Focus: Sport

Organising activities doesn't have to be time consuming and difficult. How's your back swing? If you are lucky enough to have a putter, why not create a mini-putt-putt? Bring in cleaned-out soup tins for holes, and together build-in some obstacles with bits and pieces from the around the school. This is probably a great activity to do on an oval or in a very open space just in case! The course building will allow your MATES to get creative, and the actual comes may teach you both a bit of extra patience and good sportsmanship!

26/05/2022

BLAST FROM THE PAST!
In 2011, the MATES Mentoring Programs from across the region met in May Park Horsham for a BBQ. Check out who's on the tongs, our very own EO Tim Shaw.

25/05/2022

IDEAS BANK

Focus: Literacy

Learning to write and read can be overwhelming for some young people. Building in an activity is a great way for them to improve their skills in a fun and positive environment with their mentor.
Write notes or cards of kindness to give to people eg. friends, family, teachers, coaches. Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy, compassion and improve mood. It is also a terrific way for young people to identify things to be grateful for which leads to resilience building.

19/05/2022

BLAST FROM THE PAST!
This wasn't such a long time ago, but marks the start of the annual 'Mentor Month' collaboration with Centre For Participation and Uniting Wimmera to promote regional youth mentoring programs. Featured in The Horsham Times article is Mentor Sarah and her Mentee Steph. Just after this photo was taken, young Steph headed off to University.

Horsham's local newspaper, run locally, by locals for locals.

18/05/2022

IDEAS BANK

Focus: Cooking

Who doesn't love pizza? What about inventing a new pizza flavour by trying new ingredient combinations, exploring new tastes and being creative?
Pizza invention is a great way of encouraging kids to enjoy a variety of healthy foods with different textures and flavours. Be sure to book the cooking facilities at your school and check in with the MATES In-School Coordinator about any dietary requirements.

12/05/2022

BLAST FROM THE PAST!
Staying local this week with Horsham Primary School's 298 Campus officially opening a dedicated MATES space within their school. A bit of elbow grease turned the old canteen, being used for storage, into a special place for Mentees to catch-up with their Mentors. Featured in the Wimmera Mail-Times article is Suzanne and Destany who continued their friendship, still regularly seeing each other during Destany's secondary years.

HORSHAM Primary School's 298 campus now has a dedicated space for its MATES mentoring program.

11/05/2022

IDEAS BANK

Focus: Gardening

How does the school garden grow? Many of our schools have a vegetable patch or an area of the garden that can be used for mentoring, and often the tools to support a little gardening project. If not, there are some great kits available at Bunnings. Growing food and learning about sustainability will be a life long skill for a young person.

09/05/2022

We are joining the 'BIG WAVE' in appreciation for volunteers thanks to Volunteering Australia!
National Volunteers Week is next week! Draw a smiley face on your hand and tag our page and give all our fabulous MATES Mentors across the region, and through Western Victoria in other local programs, a great big shout out!

You are invited to put your hand up and thank the millions of volunteers around Australia. How will you wave your appreciation for volunteers?You can wave yo...