It takes a village to help students to thrive, and friends, mentors and community each play a key role in young people’s wellbeing.
When students have strong friendships, they have people they can relate to, confide in and walk alongside throughout their schooling journey. Friends give us a sense of belonging and act as an emotional shield against loneliness and stress. The domino effects on learning and life-readiness are many and varied, with peer support driving collaboration, knowledge sharing and motivation in the classroom and growing students’ empathy, conflict resolution and teamwork skills.
Beyond friendships, sometimes young people need guidance from someone with more experience, and that’s where mentors come in. Mentors act as a listening ear, a microphone and a compass, helping students to vent their feelings, ensure their voices are heard and navigate their situations with confidence. They model positive behaviours and offer encouragement. A mentor could be anyone from a trusted teacher or youth worker to an industry professional who knows what it takes to achieve their dreams. It could even be an older student who’s been there, done that and can be a buddy to their younger peer.
But what happens when students graduate? School has an expiration date, making it important for students to build connections and establish a sense of community beyond the classroom to set themselves up for life after school. Schools play a vital role in facilitating these connections, linking students with local businesses and service providers for work experience, volunteering opportunities and wellbeing support. At Impact ACADEMY, we recognise that community participation and connections can promote self-identity and self-esteem. That’s why students participate in activities connected to community engagement and get out and about through excursions in the community.
For many young people, navigating friendships and seeking support can feel overwhelming. Now more than ever, young people need belonging, guidance and connection to support their wellbeing and navigate the academic, social and other pressures of life. Schools and families must work together to help our young people build positive friendships, find trusted mentors and learn what community is all about.
By Jenna Auer, Impact Community ACADEMY Principal
