MENTORING OVERVIEW. Louisa Mojela with her mentee, Mmabatho Theresa Motswai at the SSP 15th Year Anniversary Gala.

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1 MENTORING OVERVIEW Louisa Mojela with her mentee, Mmabatho Theresa Motswai at the SSP 15th Year Anniversary Gala.

2 SSP BACKGROUND Since 2000, the Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP), a non-profit trust, has provided educational opportunities to nearly 1,500 talented scholars from low-income families to attend some of the country s top private schools. In short, we open the doors of private school education to the previously disadvantaged. Students enter SSP at age 13, in 8th grade, and we are committed to their success straight through matriculation. An important cornerstone to our students success is mentorship. We match each incoming student with a mentor who helps to guide the student through the academic and personal journey of secondary school. Over the years we have found that the mentors learn as much from the students as the students learn from the mentors.

3 BECOMING A MENTOR: Being an SSP Mentor is a wonderful learning experience for both the student and the mentor. Every year the Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP) recruits committed individuals to serve as mentors for our students. Since our mentorship programme is one of the most valuable resources that SSP offers to its students, we are looking for persons who have an interest and desire to help develop our students to become future leaders of South Africa. SSP matches mentors with students taking into consideration location of both parties, interests, hobbies as well as skills mentors hold that could enhance the mentee s identified strengths. A Mentor must: Be passionate about engaging with youth Attend one two hour orientation (evening or weekend) Meet your student and his/her family at the Open Day (evening or weekend) See your student a minimum of 4 times per year Commit to mentoring for the full five years of secondary school Provide feedback to SSP regarding your relationship with your mentee. Building a successful mentoring relationship takes on the following characteristics: Partnership: Both the mentor and mentee must be equally involved in the partnership Mutuality: Both mentors and mentees can learn something from the relationship Relationship: It is important to establish and maintain trust, follow through on commitments, and engage in authentic and honest conversations. Learning: Engaging in active learning results in deepened perspectives, deepened self-knowledge and deepened self-understanding Collaboration: Share knowledge, build consensus and practice open communication and openness to new ideas and perspectives. Development: mentors aid in mentees in achieving academic success, addressing personal challenges, and exposure to the professional work world. DEVELOPING LEADERS THROUGH ACADEMIC EXELLENCE

4 HOW SSP HELPS YOU TO FOSTER A SUCCESSFUL MENTORING RELATIONSHIP: We support you every step of the way, including the following activities and resources: Orientation on how to be a good mentor Four organized group mentor/student events per year; these events are designed to facilitate relationship building between mentor and mentee. (Participation in these events is not required) SSP staff are always available to answer your questions If you wish to become a mentor, or have any questions, please contact Taulani at : Taulani.mudau@ssp.org.za / OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS Gauteng: American International School of Johannesburg King Edwards VII School Kingsmead College Parktown High School for Girls Pretoria Boys High School Pretoria High School for Girls Redhill School Roedean School Sacred Heart College SAHETI School St. Alban s College St. David s Marist Inanda St. Dustans College St. John s College St. Martin s School St. Mary s School, Waverley St. Stithians Boys College St. Stithians Girls College Eastern Cape: Clarendon High School For Girls Diocesan School For Girls Selborne College St Andrew s College DEVELOPING LEADERS THROUGH ACADEMIC EXELLENCE

5 Physical Address: 76 Juta Street (NBC Head Office) Braamfontein Johannesburg Postal Address: PO Box , Sandton