SMILE (Seniors Mentoring Initiative Leading Empowerment) Program
Girls Grammar is unique in so many ways… from our iconic red roof, Paterson House, the unforgiving hill, our boutique connected community, and most noticeably, that we are an all-girls school from Prep to Year 12.
Currently there are a number of recently introduced as well as long-standing activities that provide opportunities for our primary and secondary students to come together and make connections such as our Sisters program, House activities such as our Interhouse Choir competition and Athletics Carnival, national celebration/recognition days etc.
Soon, we will be introducing a lunch time mentoring program which will see our Year 11 and 12 students assisting students in the primary play areas each lunch break. The benefits to an initiative such as this include:
1. Role Modelling – Secondary students can serve as mentors and role models for primary girls. By interacting with older students, our younger students can develop positive attitudes towards education and personal growth.
2. Social and Emotional Development - Interacting with older students can contribute to the social and emotional development of primary students. They can learn important social skills such as communication, empathy, teamwork, and conflict resolution through their interactions with secondary students.
3. Building Confidence - Primary students often look up to older students and may feel more comfortable interacting with them. By engaging with secondary students, they can build confidence in their abilities and feel a sense of belonging within the school community.
4. Leadership & Responsibility - When secondary students are given leadership roles this can help them develop important skills such as responsibility, organisation, and communication, while also fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.
5. Peer Learning - The interaction between secondary and primary students can create opportunities for peer learning. Secondary students can reinforce their own knowledge and understanding of subjects by explaining concepts to primary students, while primary students can benefit from the explanations provided by their older peers.
6. Community Building - Bringing different age groups together promotes a sense of community within the school environment. It fosters positive relationships, encourages collaboration, and creates a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and included.
Overall, the initiative aims to build a more connected, supportive and inclusive school. Our senior students have expressed how excited they are to be a part of this initiative and I am confident that our primary girls will enthusiastically engage with this opportunity.
Nadine Kelly
Deputy Principal - Students