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Students To Get A Helping Hand From High-Achieving Mentors

10 September 2015

Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds will receive extra support from high-achieving tertiary student mentors to help them reach their potential under a new $1.6 million program.

Minister for Education James Merlino today officially launched the Andrews Labor Government’s student mentoring pilot program at Narre Warren South P-12 College in Melbourne’s south-east.

Tertiary students who are selected to work with secondary school student mentees will receive scholarships of $3000 towards their study costs.

The program will also cover grants to expand existing mentoring programs that are already being run by community organisations across Victoria.

Mr Merlino said Narre Warren South P-12 College was a shining example of the success of mentoring, with the college operating two successful programs –a buddy program between Preps and Year 5s, and year 8 and 9s working with primary students.

The student mentoring pilot program, which is coordinated through the Department of Education and Training, is based on the successful PERACH program run in Israel since 1974.

Mr Merlino said all students – regardless of circumstances – deserved the chance to reach their potential, and mentoring programs would help young people aspire to tertiary education.

An advisory group has been established to select an organisation to provide the program, which will have responsibility for partnering with interested schools and identifying school-aged mentees and tertiary students who can act as mentors.

Hundreds of Victorians shared their ideas and experiences in the Education State consultations which concluded earlier this month. Announcements about future education initiatives will be made in the coming months.

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier and Member for Narre Warren South Judith Graley

“The Andrews Labor Government believes that the opportunities our kids get in education shouldn’t depend on their background or where they live.”

“Under the student mentoring program, students from disadvantaged backgrounds will benefit from having a role model who can provide them with guidance and help them build a bright future.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“This valuable mentoring program is part of the Labor Government’s almost $4 billion investment to make Victoria the Education State, so every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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