Inspire Mentor Program

Become an inspiring mentor

A fun and rewarding volunteering experience

The Inspire Mentor Program connects primary and secondary students with mentors who empower them to consider higher education as an option for their future.

Mentors are reliable role models who support engagement in learning, social and emotional wellbeing and academia.

As a mentor, you can support a student to feel more confident and motivated about their studies and school life, or provide specific study support, depending on your strengths and interests.

Enquire now

Why you should become a mentor

Help a young person in the community
Build your confidence
Increase employability
Improve and refine your soft skills
Expand your professional network

What do I need to participate in the program

Eligibility

Current Flinders university undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible to apply to become mentors.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are highly encouraged to be involved
Mentors must present good communication and language skills, be reliable and able to connect with young people.
Mentors interested in providing study support must provide evidence of academic success (based on subject grades or GPA)

Requirements

Mentors must be available for mentoring one hour a week for a minimum of 10 weeks.
Mentoring occurs during school hours (Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm), with the exception of some community organisations.
Mentors must be available to mentor for one hour per week, for a minimum of 10 weeks.

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The Inspire Mentor Program is full of benefits for both the mentor and the mentee. As a student who is studying to be a secondary teacher this professional development experience has been invaluable. I can gain additional experience and gain a real understanding of the workplace, staff, and students that I will be working with in the future. Not only is it rewarding for my future career, but I am also seeing real change and advancements in the lives of my mentees.

Stephen Buttler Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Arts. Currently mentoring at FAME

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It is wonderful to be able to build positive relationships with mentees and act as a point of connection between students and university. Offering insight into tertiary education can be invaluable to mentees, especially those who may not have any close friends or family who have attended university.

India Shackleford Bachelor of Science (High Achievers) Currently mentoring at Reynella East College

Selection and referral process

Complete the Application form.

Attend an interview

Undertake the Working with Children check (A valid DHS/DCSI child-related employment check will be recognised as a Working with Children Check until it expires).

Attend a Training session (sessions include Inspire training and Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education and Care training).

Upon completion of these stages, mentors will be referred to a school (ready for start of term commencement)

Key dates for 2022

Term 2 (2 May – 8 July)

Interviews: 7 – 11 March
Training: 21 March – 1 April
School Allocation: 4 – 8 April
Referral to schools: 11 – 15 April

Term 3 (25 July – 30 September)

Interviews: 27 June – 8 July
Training: 11 – 18 July
School Allocation: 18 – 22 July
Referral to schools: 25 – 29 July

What you to need to know

What is the time commitment for Inspire?

All mentors are expected to participate for at least 10 weeks (school terms). You can choose to mentor for more than 10 weeks, and progress onto the following term.

Can I mentor more than one hour per week?

If you have the availability in your weekly schedule to commit to more than one hour a week this can be negotiated with both the program and the partner organisation.

Can I do more than one placement?

If you are willing and able to do more than one Inspire Mentor placement, for example one in a primary school and one in a high school, in order to gain a broader experience this is an option open to all students. You can discuss/negotiate doing multiple placements and which placements suit you best (i.e. interest, location) with one of the Inspire Program staff members.

What are the locations of the mentor placements?

Mentor placements are available in primary schools, high schools and other community/youth organisations at different locations around metropolitan Adelaide, surrounding areas and the state. Opportunities are continually reviewed so please speak to the Inspire Program staff for the most up-to-date range of locations and placements available.

Can I choose which school/organisation I mentor at?

The Inspire Mentor Program works with an extensive list of schools, community and youth organisations across a number of locations. If you have a particular school/organisation you wish to mentor at please speak to one of the Inspire Program staff members.

Does the mentoring only take place during school hours?

Inspire Mentor placements will always take place in a supervised environment – either on a school campus or a community/youth organisation. The majority of mentoring will take place during school hours (Monday — Friday, 9am — 3pm), however there are limited opportunities that arise that take place out of school hours. Please contact the Inspire Program Team to check availability and options.

I am an international student, can I participate in Inspire?

Yes - Inspire has a wide-range of mentoring opportunities to suit most Flinders students. Please speak to one of the Inspire Project Officers for further information and/or to discuss what options are available.

Do I get paid for mentoring?

Involvement and participation in the Inspire Mentor Program is voluntary. At times, opportunities become available for paid mentoring which are advertised through Flinders’ CareerHub portal.

When can I start mentoring?

There are set times in the year allocated to screen and train new mentors. You can start your mentoring experience in term 2 or 3 of school year. If you wish to continue mentoring in term 4, you can do so, however new mentors will not be referred to start in term 4.

Enquire now

If you or someone you know that would like to be involved in the Inspire Mentor Program, please complete the enquiry form or email the Education Pathways Team.

inspire@flinders.edu.au

Why you should become a mentor

What do I need to participate in the program

Eligibility

Requirements

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Selection and referral process

Key dates for 2022

What you to need to know

Enquire now

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