Three minutes with our Senior Students
I was curious to find out a little more about the Year 10 Mentor Program so I decided to interview Mitch and Jackson the TAs who run the group.
The Year 10 Mentor Program, led by Mitch and Jackson, is quickly becoming one of the most impactful and uplifting initiatives at our college. Created in partnership with Student Services, the program is designed to guide and support Year 10 boys in becoming confident, respectful, and resilient young men. What began as a response to concerns around behaviour has evolved into something much greater—a program that is transforming attitudes, building brotherhood, and inspiring real change.
Mitch and Jackson were the perfect mentors to take on this role. With both Jackson’s and Mitch's disciplined military background and Mitch’s additional experience in football, they bring both strength and understanding to their work. Their passion is clear: “We didn’t want to just talk about it—we wanted to do something,” said Jackson. And they have.
The program runs 2 groups, one during Period 4 on Tuesdays and second on Period 6 on Wednesdays, and is thoughtfully split into two parts: physical development and mental growth. The physical side introduces students to safe, respectful training in a gym setting, with team challenges like hiking a 400m elevation hill that pushes limits and builds resilience. These sessions don’t just improve fitness—they encourage teamwork, trust, and discipline.
The mental aspect of the program is where the true magic happens. Through breathwork, goal setting, conflict management, and lessons in self-awareness and professionalism, the boys are learning essential life skills. They’re discovering how to calm themselves in moments of stress, how to present confidently in the world, and how to interact with respect and maturity. SMART goals give them clear direction and the confidence to follow through.
But what really sets the program apart is the environment it creates. Mitch and Jackson aren’t just mentors—they’re trusted role models. They’ve built a space where boys feel safe to open up, ask questions, and talk about real-life challenges. It’s not about textbooks or exams—it’s about becoming better people. The boys are learning to support one another, take responsibility for their actions, and hold themselves to higher standards.
The impact is already clear—not just in behavioural data, but in how the boys walk, talk, and treat those around them. They’re more engaged, more respectful, and more connected. They’re starting to check in on each other, speak with purpose, and take pride in their progress.
The Year 10 Mentor Program is more than a school initiative—it’s a movement. It’s showing our young men that they are capable of greatness, and giving them the tools to achieve it. This is the kind of leadership and care that shapes futures.
