In recent years Norkem Park High School has received the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Seven learners and one teacher are on a mission to change this tainted image that has ruined the school’s reputation through the introduction of a peer mentoring programme.
According to the founder of the programme, English and life orientation teacher James Dhlamini, learners who face great obstacles often feel frustrated and helpless with nowhere to go. This leads to anti-social behaviour which impacts the entire school community.
“It is generally accepted that supporting vulnerable learners is an effective way to prevent them from engaging in anti-social behaviour. Supporting them will also enhance their school life,” explained Dhlamini.
Following a tragic incident last year where a grade 11 learner lost his life, Dhlamini decided to start the ‘You see a challenge, I see growth’ (UC IC) mentoring programme.
Through the programme, the seven peer mentors who have been identified will interact with learners of both genders across the five school grades and assist them with their social, physical, psychological and spiritual concerns.
“We have come to the realisation that educators as adults, with the best intentions in their attempts to foster a caring safe school community, often miss the opportunities to adequately assist learners with the challenges they face. We had such a learner last year who kept on talking to teachers and we eventually thought things were under control but this was not the case,” explained Dhlamini.
The teacher said from the tragedy of losing the learner they are trying to bring about something good.
Seven grade 12 learners, Pearl Mgimeti, Ayanda Nkomo, Karabo Mojela, Pontso Bopape, Nontsikelelo Galela, Khwezi Nkomo and Tebogo Sako are undergoing peer mentoring training to enable them to mentor younger learners. They will also guide the development of the mentees’ positive self-image to foster an effective response to difficult situations they may go through at home or school.
“These seven learners were identified as a result of their resilience. I will train them based on my experience and I have absolute confidence in them,” said Dhlamini.
Dhlamini is the chief mentor and holds a BA degree in counselling psychology, as well as an advanced business and life coaching certificate.
So how exactly will the programme be implemented?
Eight colour boxes with locks will be placed around the school; each box will represent a specific problem a learner might face.
Learners will write on a piece of paper their name and challenge and drop this into the box. The group of mentors will together unlock and open the boxes and assign mentors to a mentee based on their strengths and other criteria.
Yet, will one’s secrets be kept safe?
“Development of trust between the mentor and mentee is of utmost importance. We incorporate a tight confidentiality policy we all have signed,” Dhlamini quickly stated.
The English and life orientation teacher called the seven learners agents of change. He added there was a school psychological counsellor who would be roped in if issues were beyond the group.
He also pointed out that the seven would be the eyes and ears of the teachers.
“We hope Norkem Park High will be a catalyst and co-operate to expand this programme to other schools.”
What are the seven mentors and chief mentor hoping to achieve through the programme?
Mojela: “I’m looking forward to seeing a change in the individuals we assist.”
Mgimeti: “I hope we will be able to improve the school’s image and eventually change people’s reaction to our school.”
Bopape: “I want to change lives, improve them and push learners to say yes you can do it, you are the stars of our future.”
Ayanda: “I want to see growth from individuals and from ourselves.”
Khwezi: “I want to see change and growth in us as a group and also in the youth who are facing problems at home.”
Galela: “I am looking forward to changing the way in which learners and teachers see problems and help learners to tap into their full potential.”
Sako: “Teens go through a lot and we sometimes don’t understand their behaviour. We want to get to the root of the problem and help them overcome it.”
“I would like to produce future leaders who can inspire greatness and influence the greater school. To realise that everything is possible if you set your mind to it. I want to see focused growth in all spheres and have learners leave grade 12 ready to face the world fearlessly,” concluded Dhlamini.
