Twenty-six Grade 11 learners from Edenvale High School were recently appointed as members of the school’s Big Buddies Programme (BBP).
The learners who are volunteers spent a week of their school holidays to undergo intensive mentorship training at Edenvale High.
Established five years ago, the programme is designed to assist incoming Grade Eight learners with their transition into high school.
This is done by allocating selected learners to be paired with a Big Buddy.
The role of these Big Buddies include being a role model and guide to the Grade Eights.
Each Big Buddy will work with two Grade Eight learners during the year.
They will encourage Grade Eights to become actively engaged in the school community, to optimise their academics and social experience during their first year of high school.
The BBP also assists staff, who supervise the Big Buddies, to identify common themes among the Grade Eight group, which can be referred to the counselling department for early intervention.
