“I have gained experience as a leader because I learned the skill of making everybody feel that they are part of an activity and part of a group.” - A Ridge School mentor
Not many schools make use of mentoring, but at The Ridge School, we value this method of empowering our boys. Mentoring strengthens boys’ emotional intelligence and courage ‒ qualities that will provide a source of strength in all phases of their lives. Our mentoring programme allows our boys to learn together, grow together and gain a wealth of experience from each other. This programme is called Sharing and Leading Together or SALT.
What Is SALT?
SALT (Sharing and Learning Together) is a mentorship initiative structured in a way that gives our boys a feeling of ‘family’ support from Grades 1 to 7. Every group has a boy from each grade, and each ‘family’ unit gets together twice a term. Each ‘family’ is coordinated and assisted by a teacher to ensure quality mentoring and learning.
What Is The Role Of A Mentor?
At our school, Grade 7 boys take on the role of mentors in their senior year and teachers are there to guide them on how to run their ‘family’. Each mentor is provided with material on what to do during each meeting and uses this to assist younger learners with areas in which they are struggling.
SALT helps Ridge boys to improve and develop:
- Connectedness
- Relationship building
- Manners
- Life skills
- Small to big accomplishments
- Leadership skills
- Kindness
- Tolerance
- Sportsmanship
- A spirit of diligence and perseverance
Overall, this mentoring programme is a platform for boys to engage and chat in an open-ended fashion, and there is no success or failure to be measured. In these focused time pockets of ‘sharing and caring’, boys can get involved in thinking through problems, planning and then actioning appropriate support projects. It is meant to be a fun and relaxing experience out of which some serious feedback emerges, and pupils in all grades can receive the necessary guidance in realising their full potential in a safe, non-judgemental environment.
In reflecting on his mentoring experience at The Ridge School, one of our past mentors has shared: “I have learnt that when you are a leader working with many amazing minds, it becomes much easier when you work together.”
Allow your son to have the invaluable experience of being mentored and being a Grade 7 mentor in our SALT programme. To find out more, call The Ridge School in Westcliff, Johannesburg at 011 481 5800.