REP Stories
The Power of Mentoring
– From a volunteer
My student was a Fijian Indian student who arrived with her parents from Fiji at the beginning of the year. The family moved so that they could give their daughter better opportunities in future. So for this student it was - new country, new city, new school, new housing, family and friends left back in Fiji and no real contacts in the way of NZ friends. Initially she thought that she had been chosen for the REP programme at Aorere because she was "dumb". Quickly dispelling the idea that only less able students were chosen for the programme and that indeed she had been selected because she showed promise and only needed a "'hand up" to bring her up to the standard of the NZ Education system.
Having one familiar and friendly face that she could meet with each week - she soon had the courage to admit she was being bullied by other girls in her whanau class and that she had lost her birthday money to them and was too frightened to admit to her family or teachers what had happened.
That day we skipped the reading programme and talked about how she might solve the problem with some help from the staff at Aorere. She gained the confidence and skills to approach the group involved and resolve the issue. She not only grew in confidence and verbal skills but was able to communicate how she felt both to me as a tutor and also to others involved. Without the REP - this student could easily have lost interest in learning, wanting to improve her skills and disappointing her family .
Kay
REP Mentor
Words from the Students
Thank You
– A letter from a student to their mentor
I am writing to express my profound gratitude for the amazing impact you have had on my life and learning. You saw potential in me long before I could see it in myself, and your unwavering belief in me was a catalyse for me to latch onto big dreams and aspirations.
I will be forever grateful for your patience and guidance every step of the way. Whether I was struggling to understand a concept or simply needing a little extra encouragement, you were always there with a listening ear, helpful advice, and words of support. Your approach to teaching made learning fun and fostered my love of knowledge. All above else though, it is your kindness, support and steadfast commitment to my success that I will remember the most.
Thank you for believing in me and helping me believe in myself. You are truly one of a kind!
With deepest appreciation,
Mohammed
Words from the Students
The Joy of REP
– From a volunteer
No not Rest in Peace but Rejoice in REP.
REP is one of those wonderful, community services that has sprung up in the last few years aided and abetted initially by Penrose Rotary and then increasingly by individuals and organisations keen to make a difference.
REP is a six month educational course to assist students enhance confidence and learning.
It is such a simple concept. Those of us with a bit of time and hopefully some knowledge want to give back to the younger generation. As a ferocious advocate for education that is what I wanted to do.
“Go and volunteer for REP” my friend Terry told me. “But I’m not a teacher” I replied. “Doesn't matter – if you have enthusiasm and commitment you will fit in.”
Off I went to One Tree Hill College – OTC as it is affectionately known shivering in my shoes. All these capable people and the famous Brian!
But it was the students I wanted to help. Brought up in Scotland the mantra was “get an education and make something of yourself” and that mantra is still valid today.
I love the OTC students – they are eager, anxious, sponge like in their willingness to learn each with dreams of what they want to achieve and we help them on their way. It’s not easy coming to High School – very disorientating but I have been impressed from the start with their aplomb and enthusiasm.
So what do we do – we give them the confidence they need and reinforce reading, comprehension, grammar and intellectual understanding over a six month period so that progressing through high school and beyond becomes something they can achieve with confidence.
It is not easy for some of the students. One of my students was delivered to school at 7.00am each school day, another could not get to bed at night because he slept on the sitting room couch; another was transitioning from their own language toEnglish. Yet another had learning difficulties.
Each student was fantastic.
They try hard every week and over the six month period of reading, writing, understanding and vocalizing their thoughts it is like seeing a bird take flight. Student graduation is a recognition of how far they have travelled and each student and their supportive families deserve applause.
I could not recommend participation more. Tutors and students get so much out of each other so go down to your local highschool and volunteer. You will not regret it.
Anna Rolfe
Volunteer @ One Tree Hill College Auckland