WBYM = Failed Acronym = Great Success
But first, some geography, then a history lesson:
The WA Wheatbelt area is twice the size of Tasmania. It is home to 25 high schools - four of which are “Senior High Schools” meaning they offer face-to-face classes for students in years 7-12, and 21 “District High Schools”, which offer face-to-face classes to students only up to year 10. Once upon a time the private boarding schools, Perth Modern, and some Agricultural Colleges, took some students from District High Schools for years 11 and 12. Education was compulsory up to year 10 before some political genius changed that and now WA students are only meant to leave school after they have been in year 12. Probably that same genius closed Swanleigh in 2010 so that country kids had to attend a Perth private school that had boarding facilities, if they wanted face-to-face classes for years 10-12.
Wheatbelt & Beyond Youth Mentoring (WBYM) was formed in 2019 following 9 years of developing and running a successful mentoring program for students in years 8-10 at Bruce Rock District High School. The commencement of WBYM has furthered the opportunity to share the benefits of a compassionate, flexible and cost effective mentoring program with other Regional, Rural and Remote District High Schools.
Having both raised their children in the Wheatbelt, Co-Founders Karen Strange (farmer) and Janine Dayman (long term Deputy Principal) understood first-hand the difficulties faced by country kids in their transition from adolescence to adulthood. They recognised the importance of supporting local students, and the benefits mentoring provided in overcoming the challenges of social and geographical isolation. Over the past 5 years, the program has expanded from Bruce Rock to Carnamah, Dowerin, Quairading, Wyalkatchem, Lake Grace, Brookton and Jurian Bay District High Schools, along with the Governor’s SPARKS of the Future Program.
WBYM supports regional, rural and remote students navigate the challenging transition from adolescence to adulthood, while facing the disadvantage of geographic and social isolation. It does this through a network of mentors, families, communities and organisations.
Co-Founder Karen Strange, PP John Kelly and WBYM Deputy Chair Sarah Edmonds
Applecross Rotary has supported WBYM for many years, with PP John Kelly being our long-term Club Champion. Currently most of our funds help students attend an annual 3-day camp at the Swan Valley Adventure Centre, held in the former Swanleigh boarding facility - how ironic is that!
However the key to the success of WBYM is the mentoring of participants by university students from one of our five universities in Perth. It is a 1:1 mentoring program, conducted almost entirely via the Internet, using the facilities at the District High Schools. Mentors agree to make e-mail contact with their mentees (I really don’t like that word), at least once a week. A key focus is Career Planning, but the e-mail exchange can cover any relevant topic. Mentors also agree to attend the annual 3-day camp so meet their new mentees face-to-face for the first time.
Over 400 students have been mentored since 2011, and there are currently 200 involved this year, and 150 mentors. Yes, mentors can provide support for more than one student!
Missed the presentation, click here for ZOOM recording - https://youtu.be/0pHdBv_JNhg
