GOALS
GOALS is a one-on-one mentoring partnership that aims to widen the life choices of students considered to be at risk of disengaging from school and those students who would benefit from mentoring support. Whether it is the environment, circumstances or resulting attitudes that discourage the student from completing school, the mentoring program seeks to engage and encourage them to achieve a productive working and personal life.
The program broadens the experiences and understanding of students and mentors alike, and offers opportunities to meet a more extensive group of students and business people. The program endeavours to be mutually beneficial to students and mentors.
What is involved
A volunteer from a member company is matched with a high school student. Students are carefully chosen to ensure that those most likely to benefit are involved in the program. When matching mentors with students, the school and the ABCN consider compatibility of interests, goals, skills and experiences.
Mentoring sessions run for 90 minutes. The first meeting is held at the school, with subsequent meetings at a range of corporate venues.
Each mentoring session includes:
- Individual discussions between mentor and student
- Joint activities with other GOALS participants
- Group discussions e.g. goal setting, building rapport
- Presenting student's work or findings.
The student and mentor always meet in a group context and are accompanied by two teachers from the school, to ensure complete compliance with the Child Protection Act.
Benefits for students
'This is the best thing that has ever happened to me.' Student
- Self esteem and self confidence increased.
- Horizons and experiences expanded
- Motivation to learn improved
- Achievements and aspirations raised
- Personal and social skills improved.
Benefits for mentors
'My student rekindled my understanding that it doesn't matter what life stage you're at it's never too late to change things or make things happen.' Mentor
- Awareness and interest in the broader community increased
- Skills and job satisfaction improved.
The need
The GOALS program encourages students who may be planning to leave school at the end of year 10 to complete year 12 and/or potentially go on to TAFE or University. In 2005 around one-quarter of Australia’s high-school students left school early - a higher proportion than the previous two years. Although these students started year 10, they did not complete all 12 years of schooling. Only one-third of early-school leavers will go into some other form of education or training, leaving two-thirds (50,000) that will never gain further qualifications.
More information
Research note:
Students that leave school early are more likely to experience extended periods of unemployment, be reliant on government assistance and have a narrower field of occupations available to them (Australian Council for Educational Research).
