LEAP – MACQUARIE MENTORING
Supporting high school students from refugee backgrounds ANNUAL REPORT 2014 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
Contents
A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES 2 ABOUT US 3 EDUCATION AND THE REFUGEE EXPERIENCE 5 2014 AT A GLANCE 6 PROGRAM OUTCOMES FOR OUR MENTEES 8 PROGRAM OUTCOMES FOR OUR MENTORS 10 ABOUT THE PROGRAM 12 THE SCHOOLS 14 MENTEE AND MENTOR PROFILES 16 OTHER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS 18
ISBN: 978-1-74138-434-5 © Macquarie University, 2015
PHOTOS: All photos by the Widening Participation Unit unless otherwise noted. COVER: Photo by Paul Wright. This document has been prepared by the Widening Participation Unit, Macquarie University. Information contained in this publication may be copied or reproduced for study, research, information or educational purposes, subject to inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. The Widening Participation Unit, Macquarie University acknowledges the Darug Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which Macquarie University is situated. LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring is part of Macquarie University’s LEAP (Learning, Education, Aspiration, Participation) program, delivered by the Widening Participation Unit, and funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Participation Program.
PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: Online version is available for download from mq.edu.au/leap 2 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
A world of opportunities DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR’S (ACADEMIC) MESSAGE
The LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring I am particularly proud of this program (Refugee Mentoring) program is one and also of our university’s more general of the most significant manifestations commitment to the support of refugees. of our university’s commitment to service Later this year we will be the first and engagement. The program not only Australian university to grant a scholarship supports individuals it also builds long term to a client of the UK-based Commission social capacity and cohesion. Refugees are for the Assistance of Refugee Academics. the productive citizens of the future We will be welcoming a Syrian academic, and should be welcomed and given the currently a refugee in Lebanon, who will same opportunities as those enjoyed be working towards a PhD in our by other Australians. Centre of Policing, Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism. This shows our real commitment to leadership in this area and I hope that we will be able to offer further places in subsequent years. The students who join our mentoring program are outstanding young people who have often experienced and overcome difficulties and hardships which few of us, thankfully, have had to face. It is a privilege for us to meet them through this program and to add their voices to the Macquarie University conversation.
PROFESSOR JOHN SIMONS LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 3
About us WIDENING PARTICIPATION UNIT
Widening Participation is an integral component of Macquarie University’s strategic direction as an innovative, modern and dynamic educational institution and is built upon a “commitment to inclusiveness through targeted and sustainable collaborative programs” (Our University: A Framing of Futures, 2013, Strategic Priority 3 – Aligning the nature and size of the university for the future). The Widening Participation Unit seeks to empower students affected by educational disadvantage to access higher education opportunities through targeted support programs, such as LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring (Refugee Mentoring). The Unit is committed to inclusive education and support for students who are affected by learning barriers, and seeks to empower and equip these students with the capabilities and information required to access the best outcomes. We acknowledge the value of diversity and the transformative potential of higher education for both individual students and the wider community. PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: 4 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
DIRECTOR, 2014 also provided us with further robust REFUGEE STUDENT PROGRAMS WIDENING PARTICIPATION UNIT research into the positive outcomes of ADVISOR FROM THE NEW RUTH TREGALE the program, both from the point of SOUTH WALES DEPARTMENT OF 2014 was another exciting year for view of the mentees (see p. 8), but also EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES the LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring our Macquarie student mentors, JANE WALLACE (Refugee Mentoring) program. It saw who reported a greater sense of belonging The Department of Education and the addition of three new schools to the University, and increased motivation Communities highly values the partnership to the program, and the successful and confidence in their own studies. it has with Macquarie University through piloting of a new branch of the program We now know of 32 former mentees who the LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring for high school students from Pacific have entered higher education, and this (Refugee Mentoring) program. Islander backgrounds. We were once again number is growing as the program matures. Young students from refugee backgrounds overwhelmed by the number of applications In 2015 we are planning to expand the face significant challenges settling into high that we received from Macquarie students program to new schools, and to increase school in Australia: making new friends, wishing to volunteer as mentors, and from interaction with local communities to learning English well enough to succeed the commitment, enthusiasm and passion further support students from refugee in their secondary studies and finding out of high school students participating backgrounds succeed in their education. about post-school options. in the program. I would like to thank everyone who has Schools support refugee students in One of the absolute highlights for me made LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring a variety of ways, however the mentoring was at the University Experience Day (Refugee Mentoring) so successful to date, program complements these beautifully held in October, when one of our former and look forward to seeing it continue by providing extra individual attention mentees from Arthur Phillip High School, to grow for many years to come. and support for refugee students. now studying in her first year at University students visit schools each Macquarie University, bravely stood up week to provide the mentoring. In the in front of 200 students and teachers from weekly sessions, they give practical the nine participating schools, as well as suggestions about study, organising time, mentors, academics and other colleagues useful resources and skills for research. from Macquarie University, and shared They take an interest in their mentees, with the audience the story of her help them work out their goals and discuss personal journey as a refugee to Australia, possible education and career pathways. and the change that our LEAP – Macquarie The high school students gain confidence Mentoring (Refugee Mentoring) program through their relationships with had made to her life. There was hardly a dry the mentors. The program helps restore eye in the room, and we were so happy young refugees’ hope and assists them to have her proud father, who had risked in developing the social capital they so much to bring his family to Australia, need for their future lives in Australia. with us in the audience. LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 5
Education and the refugee experience
Many school students from refugee Access to, and participation in, As part of its plan to reform the backgrounds have experienced significant higher education bestows a huge Australian higher education system, disruption to their education and may advantage on a student entering the the Federal Government has worked to have had little or no schooling prior competitive Australian job market, increase the number of students from to enrolment in an Australian school. both in terms of earning potential and disadvantaged backgrounds participating As a result, they face considerable through the building of social capital. in higher education. An important challenges in education and training. However, many students from refugee means to achieving this has been Numerous students struggle emotionally backgrounds and their families have projects undertaken by universities in and practically to acquire the language, little access to and knowledge of partnership with other stakeholders, literacy, cultural knowledge and the range of higher education including schools and communities. everyday skills required for academic options available, and possess The LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring success at high school and to progress limited networks, knowledge and (Refugee Mentoring) program is one to tertiary education. confidence to navigate the maze such partnership, recognising the need of vocational and educational for ongoing support of high school students pathways in Australia. The result from refugee backgrounds to enable and is that disproportionately low facilitate their successful transition into numbers of students from refugee higher education and future vocations. backgrounds are currently studying at Australian universities. PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: 6 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
2014 at a glance
Since commencing the program we have We piloted the Pacific Islander The LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring seen 32 former mentees transition to Mentoring program at Granville Boys (Refugee Mentoring) program entered University and many more progress High School in the second half of the year. its fourth year with the addition of into other avenues of further education, Following on from the success of the pilot, three new partner schools – Auburn Girls training and employment. the program will be implemented and High School, Granville Boys High School, further developed in 2015. Prairiewood High School.
We worked with nine partner schools We hosted an evening in celebration of The program gained national exposure with across Western and South Western Sydney National Refugee Week. A video about a feature segment on SBS WORLD NEWS. – Arthur Phillip High School, the mentoring program was premiered This segment was filmed at Blacktown Boys Blacktown Boys High School, at the event, and a panel discussion was High School and highlights the positive Granville Boys High School, Auburn Girls held about the experiences of the program effect mentoring can have on the lives High School, Blacktown Girls High School, and the effect it is having on wider refugee of students. Miller Technology High School, Bankstown issues in Australia. Vice-Chancellor To view the story please visit Senior College, Evans High School, Professor S Bruce Dowton expressed mq.edu.au/leap Prairiewood High School. immense pride in the work the program has achieved and the number of lives it has touched and changed since it began. To view the video please visit mq.edu.au/leap LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 7
Our team members presented at forums and conferences including the International First Year in Higher Education Conference, National Australian Youth Mentoring Network AYMN Conference and Macquarie University Learning and Teaching Week.
The program grew to engage with 241 high school students who connected with 107 Macquarie student mentors. PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: 8 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
Program outcomes for our mentees
“I think the program gave the students a reality check of the options out there. It was good for them to get involved with adults 81% 83% who aren’t their teachers, of mentees reported increased knowledge of of mentees reported greater awareness but who were encouraging university in the post program questionnaire. of the benefits that university offers. This was a significant increase from This was an increase from the 60 per cent and supportive.” the 32 per cent of mentees reported of mentees reported in in the pre-program questionnaire. the pre-program questionnaire. COORDINATING TEACHER, PRAIRIEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL “Thinking about higher education “It has showed me the advantages – giving me more information about of going to uni and given me pathways universities in general. to achieve higher education.” Learn more about my future.” MENTEE, MENTEE, BLACKTOWN BOYS HIGH MILLER TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL
80% 95% of mentees reported greater knowledge of mentees reported increased motivation of pathways to university to attend university after attending in the post-program questionnaire. University Experience Day. This was a substantial increase from the 50 per cent of mentees reported “Before I use to be scared to go uni or in the pre-program questionnaire. even think about it but now I am more confident and feeling sure to go uni.” “It helped me get a clear view of what MENTEE, subjects I need to choose for Year 10 PRAIRIEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL and get a clear path of what I need to do.” MENTEE, AUBURN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 9 PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO:
OUR MENTEES Mentees from our partner high schools are given the choice to nominate themselves to participate in the program, or may be recommended by their teachers.
241 38 MENTEES different languages
Mentees by year group Top 5 countries of birth 46% 1. Iraq 2. Afghanistan 3. Iran 4. Sudan 49% 51% 5. Nepal MALE FEMALE
Top 5 languages 1. Arabic 2. Assyrian 3. Dari 4. Farsi 5. Nepali 20% 18%
14%
2% Year 9Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Adult 10 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
Program outcomes for our mentors
Research into program outcomes has shown that mentoring is a rewarding experience for both our mentees and mentors. Mentors report the satisfaction of sharing their experience but also gain a range of other benefits that reward them in their university life: • greater sense of belonging to the University • increased motivation and confidence • improvement in academic grades • gained valuable insights and employability skills • increased sense of purpose and direction.
...my attitude to education ...part of university, ...fulfilled as a person, content has changed, motivated me I part of something important and less anxious to succeed and appreciate and special FEEL my opportunities
...(made) friends at MQ. I ...broadened my perspective, Improved in grades, ...a gratifying feeling global citizen, open minded gained confidence, to be part of a community HAVE gained communication skills
...seeing the motivation ...when I look at myself from the mentees gave me I AM ...my university cares in the mirror, more motivation to succeed I see a better person PROUD in my studies
To view the paper on program outcomes for mentors please visit vfyhe.com.au/past_papers/papers14/03C.pdf LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 11
“Yes, they gave me motivation and passion and I loved seeing them every week. They were inspirational kids that I believe have grown so much and show that if you have passion and believe in yourself, the world can be your oyster.” MACQUARIE STUDENT MENTOR
WHO ARE OUR MACQUARIE MENTORS? The volunteer mentors that participated in the program this year came from diverse backgrounds and faculty areas across the University. Although our mentors are diverse in degree choices, they all share a common interest and passion for supporting young people from refugee backgrounds. 107 26 Our mentors hold a genuine enthusiasm MENTORS different languages to participate in the program and give their time freely to do so. The mentors are matched with mentees based on Top 10 ethnicities common interests, degrees and areas of study, as well as cultural background. 1. Australian 6. Filipino The program offers the mentors the 2. Chinese 7. Afghani opportunity to share their experiences 3. Vietnamese 8. Sri Lankan of school, university and life in general 4. Bengali 9. Russian with their mentees. 20% 80% 5. Indian 10. Italian MALE FEMALE PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: 12 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
“Because it was really fun. They had really good performances and they had cool experiments and campus tour.” MENTEE, AUBURN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
About the program
The LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring MENTORING SESSIONS DEVELOPING RAPPORT (Refugee Mentoring) program matches The in-school mentoring sessions run WEEK 1 high school students from refugee over 11 weeks and comprise of a flexible • Establishing backgrounds with Macquarie University three part structure that enables mentors WEEK 2 ground rules student mentors, some of whom are to tailor the program to the individual • Mentors/mentee stories from refugee backgrounds themselves. needs of their mentees. WEEK 3 • Personal goal setting Through mentoring, the program aims UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE DAY to broaden the aspiration of students WEEK 4 SKILL BUILDING The University Experience day is one of and support their investigation of, • Study skills the highlights of the program. This one WEEK 5 and successful transition into, • Time management higher education. As this is a needs based day event brings high school students, • Research skills program the areas of focus are mentee led their parents, teachers and principals WEEK 6 with the overall aim of the program to: from nine partner schools on campus for fun and engaging day of activities. 1. Develop confidence, resilience and agency WEEK 7 For many mentees in the program, INFORMED 2. Develop study and research skills this day is a transformative experience DECISION MAKING 3. Broaden aspirations WEEK 8 and compliments the in-school • Career research towards further study mentoring sessions. The day also acts strategies 4. Develop awareness of school to demystify the concepts of university UNIVERSITY • Explore pathways and university cultures by familiarising students with the learning EXPERIENCE to university in the Australian context environment and campus facilities. DAY • University 5. Empower students to make informed Students of the program gain valuable Experience Day decisions about educational pathways. first-hand experience of university life • Review goals WEEK 10 and are encouraged by the personal stories and reflection they hear from current university students • Wrap up and evaluation from refugee backgrounds. WEEK 11 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 13
“Before the program I wasn’t sure of the opportunities available at universities in Australia. The program helped me so much and now I feel more confident.” MENTEE, BANKSTOWN SENIOR COLLEGE PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: 14 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
The schools
In 2014, the LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring (Refugee Mentoring) program worked in partnership with the following high schools:
ARTHUR PHILLIP HIGH SCHOOL AUBURN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BANKSTOWN SENIOR COLLEGE This is the second year that Arthur The program warmly welcomes Auburn Bankstown Senior College is the only Phillip High School has participated in Girls High School which participated in senior college participating in our program. the program. The collaborative strengths the program for the first time this year. The college caters predominantly for of the program were demonstrated by The highly engaging and enthusiastic mature age and re-entry students who are coordinating teacher Rachel Hennessey students have been supported by committed and driven to achieve their goals. when she shared her insights on refugee their passionate coordinating teacher We would like to thank Maria Georgiou, the issues in education as part of mentor Mary Silver. This year 31 students coordinating teacher at Bankstown Senior training this year. It was a pleasure participated in the program and College, for all her hard work and support. working with the fun and engaging students many parents also activity participated This year, 42 students from Bankstown at Arthur Phillip and exciting to see how in University Experience Days. Senior College participated in the program, eagerly they engaged in the program. with a total of 169 students from the College 70 students from Arthur Phillip High School participating in the program to date. have participated in our program to date.
“The kids were buzzing about it on the bus ride home. Expect a few Prairiewood “I love Macquarie Uni. It made me motivated students as undergrads at Mac Uni in to study hard to achieve my goal. This is a few years’ time!” my biggest wish to study in this uni.” COORDINATING TEACHER, MENTEE, BANKSTOWN SENIOR COLLEGE PRAIRIEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 15
BLACKTOWN BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BLACKTOWN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL EVANS HIGH SCHOOL The program has formed a strong The spirit that comes from the students of Evans High School is a unique school partnership with Blacktown Boys Blacktown Girls High School is a constant that offers great support to students High School. The students at Blacktown inspiration to the Macquarie Mentors. of non-English speaking backgrounds. Boys High participate in the program Karin Harrison, the coordinating teacher The coordinating teacher, Swati Dey for an entire year and the benefits at Blacktown Girls, offers support to has been tirelessly working to support of this are reflected in the strong the fun and friendly Blacktown Girls’ the program and we thoroughly engagement consistently seen from students, which in combination with appreciate all her efforts. This year, the students. We would like to thank the Macquarie mentors makes for 28 students participated in our program, Pushpa Lal, the coordinating teacher, fantastic and progressive sessions. This year totalling 138 student mentees from who has been an ongoing support 15 students from Blacktown participated Evans since the beginning of our program. to our program since its inception. in the program, totalling 64 girls since This year 17 students from Blacktown the beginning of our program. Boys participated, totalling 91 students since the program commenced.
GRANVILLE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL MILLER TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL PRAIRIEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL The program was implemented at Granville Miller Technology High School has Prairiewood High School joined us this year Boys High School for the first time in 2014. participated in the program since with 14 mentees involved in the program. The program is grateful for the enthusiastic it commenced in 2011, with the Coordinating teacher, Hiba Rizk, has been and persistent efforts of coordinating coordinating teacher, Suzanna Romic, incredibly supportive with her lively and teacher Tisha Das, and the fabulous providing consistent support and enthusiastic students. We warmly welcome students who participated in the program. enthusiasm in her efforts to support Prairiewood High School to the program. This year, nine students participated in her students and the program. This year, the program. 26 mentees from Miller participated in our program, with a total of 131 mentees from the school benefiting from the mentoring program to date. 16 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
Mentee and mentor profiles
PROFILE OF FORMER MENTEE One day I saw some students come and visit I told my parents I want to go to university AND CURRENT UNIVERSITY STUDENT us in school. I was very excited to see them after high school. They were very – SHAMSIA and hear their stories about university. supportive and told me they will help me in “I was a little girl when my father came It gave me hope that I can also dream big. any way possible. I studied harder in school, to Australia to make a better future for us I wasn’t sure whether I can go to I became more confident in school and away from all war, fights and fear we faced university as my English was weak but I was motivated to finish my high school daily in Afghanistan. I missed my father the mentors gave me courage that I can after being in the program. when he was away but he told me it was to do whatever I want to. Talking to the In 2014 I started studying at Macquarie make our life better. 10 years later he was mentors and coming to the university University in an Arts/Psychology Degree. able to apply for us to come to Australia. on a campus tour opened my eyes. I’m not scared of university anymore. Growing up I had thought a lot about I learnt that there are many pathways I’ve made friends here and I am enjoying Australia and what I can do there for my to coming to university. I wanted to learning here. There are lots of essays family and myself so that they can live make my father proud of me and I realised and assignments and I have to plan my a happy life. I started school at Arthur higher education can help me in that. time well. The mentors told me in university Phillip High School. I loved my teachers. I will have to be an adult and manage They were kind and supported me in my learning so they prepared me well my learning. I made a lot of good friends for university life. in school. I didn’t know about university and I didn’t have any plans for my future I want to be a psychologist when I finish after school. my degree. I would like to have my own office with my name plate on the door, a nice reception area and a receptionist who welcomes people to my office with a smile. I can have this dream because of the support of my father, my family, my teachers and more importantly the mentors in the LEAP – Refugee mentoring program who have me the confidence to aspire and achieve higher education.” LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 17 PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO:
MENTEE PROFILE – SARAH As the program progressed I saw Sarah’s My background has been the driver of Sarah is a Year 9 student from Auburn test results improve and she became more my motivation to join the LEAP Mentoring Girls High School. She participated organized and determined to achieve Program in order to assist students like in the program in the second half her dream to get into psychology after myself who have found it extremely difficult of this year and was matched high school. We talked about university to settle in Australia. I understand the with Macquarie Mentor, Nidal. and her belief in her ability grew and pressure of learning a new language in such she realized it was only a matter of a short time is difficult and that obtaining SARAH working hard towards what she wanted. the desirable results at school is not easy, “Before I started the program I had no Mentoring Sarah was an honor. She was it is nevertheless still possible. If you put direction for the future. I learnt that if you such a beautiful person and wanted to your mind to it nothing is impossible. put your mind into what you want, you will learn as much as she could before the Throughout my time at the Mentoring get somewhere, you either become a failure program ended. The best part was working Program I was able to interact with or a big success and it’s up to you to decide. with Sarah to plan the week ahead and students from a range of backgrounds The program helped me become focused, see her follow the planner we did together.” and was able to offer guidance on how to motivated and helpful.” approach school and how to proceed with MENTOR PROFILE – ADWAR life after high school, knowledge which NIDAL “I was born in Iraq in 1993. When I was I at the time never had. I was informed “When I first met Sarah she reminded about 4–5 years old my father left Iraq to that many students were uncertain of me a lot of myself. Like me she wanted seek refuge in Australia in 1999. Two years what they wanted to do upon graduating to achieve great marks, go to university later my mother, my brother and my sister and was able to help students find and make her parents proud. I saw journeyed all around the world and finally many options to continue studying from an intelligent girl, passionate about reached Australia in 2001. It was very applying to universities, through a range studying and achieving her dreams. difficult settling in Australia at first and of pathways, and other alternatives such Sarah’s goal for mentoring was to improve I was victim to all kinds of discrimination as apprenticeships and TAFE courses. her study habits and to achieve higher and bullying at school. I initially found I have made amazing friends in meeting marks in her subjects. Our main focus Australia a struggle to live in, but over time my delightful co-mentors and mentees. during each session was to plan her week I have made amazing friends who have gone I have bonded with them and have ahead which included what she had to through similar experiences and this made learnt so much about myself throughout study and how to do so. Every Tuesday me grow stronger. I was able to push myself this experience. I have been lucky to I saw her we would plan for the whole week. with school and I have gained the knowledge be a part of such a wonderful program Sarah found this helpful as it allowed her and results to get me into university. that shapes our future generation and to organize her family and study time. Through the assistance of my friends and would gladly recommend everyone to Each week we also kept record of Sarah’s loved ones I was able to set myself a goal join this program, even if you are certain marks from each test and discussed ways and strive for success and this ultimately about your future because the benefits she could approach upcoming exams. led to me studying a Bachelor of Laws with of this program are truly invaluable.” a Bachelor of Arts at Macquarie University. 18 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
“I liked the mentors a lot. They talked about universities that are available for us.” “It was fun learning about Uni. This program gave me an idea of what I want to do in the future.” MENTEES FROM GRANVILLE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL
Other activities and events
PACIFIC ISLANDER NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK CELEBRATION, REFUGEE WEEK CELEBRATION, 11 JUNE MENTORING PILOT PROGRAM 9 APRIL As part of Refugee Week this year, The Pacific Islander Mentoring Program As part of National Youth Week we hosted we hosted an evening event with a focus was piloted at Granville Boys High School a forum of ideas on campus for university on promoting awareness and discussion in the second half of this year. The pilot students to celebrate young people’s about issues faced by people from program involved three mentoring sessions contribution to their community. refugee backgrounds in Australia. which ran over six weeks and engaged The inclusive dynamic environment A video about the mentoring 14 mentees (years 7–9) and five mentors. enabled university students to share program was premiered at the event, This program developed from the needs what inspired them about asylum seekers and a panel discussion was held about identified by the school to broaden and refugees and spread hope through the experiences of the program and the aspiration for boys from Pacific Islander messages and dialogues. effect it is having on wider refugee issues backgrounds. Mentoring was recognised Students were also provided with in Australia. Panellists included Professor as the preferred model as studies have practical points of action about issues Sherman Young, Sonal Singh from the found mentoring relationships are central they are passionate about, such as program team and past Macquarie Mentors to engagement and retention of Pacific volunteer opportunities with LEAP – Maxwell Vanday and Tahmina Ansari. Islander students in tertiary education. Macquarie Mentoring (Refugee Mentoring). Past mentors spoke about their experiences The overall aim of the program was The National Youth Week Celebration coming to Australia as refugees and the to broaden aspiration and provide created a powerful platform for students positive impact mentoring other students information and guidance through to network, become more informed from refugee backgrounds has had on them. interactive and engaging sessions. and active citizens, and appreciate the The event was opened by Vice-Chancellor Sessions involved sharing personal stories, contributions of young people to the Professor Bruce S Dowton who goals setting, exploring career options, wider community. expressed immense pride in the visits to university and exploring work the program has achieved and pathways to university. the number of lives it has touched and Following the success of the pilot program changed since it began. Other attendees we will implement the program in 2015. included Vic Alhadeff, chairman of the We would like to thank Granville Boys High Community Relations Commission, School for their support in developing Jerome Laxale from Ryde City Council, this program. filmmaker Roberto Giunta, members of the University executive, University staff and students, as well as representatives from local refugee support agencies. LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 19
“I feel like I’ve become a more well-grounded “The intention and passion to make individual. It has broadened my perspective change is great, but to have a program and and I’ve become a more global citizen a bridge that allows you to be proactive and and more open-minded.” see the change is even greater. It allows for “It is a great opportunity to associate greater relations in the community.” myself with people from different MACQUARIE STUDENT MENTORS backgrounds, different year groups and different degrees. Becoming friends with people I never thought I would but am now is really great.”
MENTOR CELEBRATIONS Mentor celebrations were held at the end of each semester to thank our volunteers for their efforts, enthusiasm and commitment towards the program. As the mentoring journey is a growing experience for mentors and mentees, the celebration is a chance for the mentors to get together to reflect on and share their experience. PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO:
PHOTO CAPTION: (L–R) Sakina Moosawi, Professor Sherman Young, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning, Teaching and Diversity), Tahmina Ansari (panelist, Macquarie Alumni and former mentor), Shamsia Moosawi (former mentee and current student), Professor S Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, Maxwell Vanday (former mentor and Macquarie Alumni) and Professor John Simons, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). 20 LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014
“I say to everyone that I get more out of this program than I do give back to them. Even though we’re there to help or give back to the community, I feel that I am getting so much out of this program. I wish I could give them what they have given me.” MACQUARIE STUDENT MENTOR LEAP ANNUAL REPORT 2014 21 PHOTO: EFFY ALEXAKIS PHOTO: LEAP – Macquarie Mentoring Widening Participation Unit Macquarie University NSW 2109, Australia T: (02) 9850 7394 E: [email protected]
mq.edu.au/leap CRICOS Provider 00002J