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Past Inspire Mentors.
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Erin Ewart, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama)
Mentor for Wirreanda High School Producation
A position to mentor the Wirreanda High School production cast was a great way to try out drama in a secondary school. I applied all the skills that I have developed in my studies in drama, learned heaps and have gained real life experience in a community setting. The students really improved from the exercises and strategies I shared with them. I loved it so much, and was so proud of the achievements that the students made when the show was staged. The teachers and students asked me to come back every year! |
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Martin Westgate: Bachelor of Environmental Management
Marine Studies Mentor - Hallett Cove School
I really enjoyed my time as a mentor at my old high school. I have been supporting year eleven students in biology by asking them about their work and giving them tips for their assignments. Most of my role was to help the students to remain focused on their study/task. With my support the students often completed their set class work and homework during the session, so they got heaps more work done.
I also had lots of conversations about what it is like to be at uni. Students thought that it would be heaps of work and much to hard for them. They didn't realise that we don't sit in classes for six hours every day. If they did the same amount of work at uni that they are doing now at school they will be fine.
Being a mentor has helped my own study. When I am doing my readings at uni, I am always looking out for information that relates to what they are doing in class. This has improved my reading and note taking skills. People had told me about skim reading, or to look for specific information, but I never understood how to do that. Now I can, because I am doing it for the students every week. |
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I graduated from Flinders in 2006 and while I was studying as as education student, I decided to become an INSPIRE mentor as a great way to meet with students, and to get to know them as individuals. I have been mentoring at Pasadena High School working with the Year 12 Vocational studies students, helping out with personal student support, but have also had the opportunity to work with other students throughout the school in other programs. The students have enjoyed having someone other than the teacher with whom they can share their ideas, thoughts and dreams, and have benefited by having someone with a personal understanding of the subject material. I have enjoyed the experiences that INSPIRE has offered me, as it has made me a better teacher, a better student and a better person. I would recommend the INSPIRE Mentoring program for all Flinders students as it is such a valuable experience to carry with you into the future. |
| Jessica Ostle: Bachelor of Nursing
Year 12 Student Support Mentor - Aberfoyle Park High School
I loved my time as a mentor. I supported a couple of young women in year twelve with their schoolwork and assessment. I went to the school once a week for about two hours over one semester. My role mainly involved just being with the young women as they did their work, talking about their assignments and portfolios, making suggestions, and making sure that they had met all the criteria.
As we got to know each other we had many conversations about the things outside of school that made the students attendance and completion very challenging. Both students thought about dropping out of school at different times. But with my encouragement they continued their studies and finished year twelve. This was very rewarding for the students, and left me with a feeling that I have really made a difference. The young women also have plans now for further study and are going to go to TAFE.
Additionally, I have gained some really great skills. I have a lot more confidence now because I know that I can approach people that I do not know and form a positive work relationship with them. This will be important when I undertake any work in nursing. My communication skills have increased and I used examples from my experiences as a mentor in an interview for a volunteer position overseas. I was successful, and will be working in Malaysia next year for six months at a school to support students with disability. I want to be a mentor with INSPIRE again when I return to my studies. |
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