School: Essendon Keilor College (VIC)
Partner: Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley Local Learning and Employment Network
Essendon College is located in an urban setting and has 1700 students across three campuses. The school has formed a partnership with several other schools, the Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley Local Learning and Employment (M&MVLLEN), Victoria University, Kangan Batman TAFE, Moonee Valley council and a number of local businesses to establish a mentoring program, Youth Mentoring Assisted Pathways (YMAP). The program was conceived in response to a concern that too many young people were leaving school early and making bad choices about pathways, resulting in poor education and employment outcomes. Research had indicated that a relationship with a supportive adult would often lead to disadvantaged young people making better and more informed choices.
The program has been running for eight years. In 2008, the partnership extended to include seven schools, and 207 students were mentored by 155 volunteer mentors. The mentors are adults recruited from the ranks of tertiary students and local council youth workers, who work with secondary students at risk. There are a number of mentor programs, directed to different categories of students. Two programs are directed at students in transition from Year 10 to Year 11, with a view to encouraging their retention at school. Other programs inform VCAL students about course options, support networks and employment options, and another program provides a range of personal support and post-schooling options to students at an alternative setting.
M&MVLLEN employed a project officer to manage the program, with assistance from a steering committee and the various partners. For example, Victoria University prepared a training manual for mentors and conducted an evaluation of the program, M&MVLLEN was involved in the selection and screening of mentors, and the tertiary institutions provide ongoing support to the mentors.
As a result of the program, more Year 10 students are proceeding to VCE, and 70 per cent of students perceived that they had better relationships with teachers. More students were able to negotiate work experience as part of their studies, and more graduating students proceeded to tertiary education or found employment.
The partners are committed to the long term sustainability of the programs. The Impact Award funds will provide for the extension of the program to other schools, and evaluation tools will be enhanced to explore longitudinal data of outcomes for youth who have participated in the program.
