Mentoring plays a pivotal role at Whakatāne High School. All teachers have a group of students for whom they are the mentor. The mentor is responsible for overseeing and monitoring their students’ academic and wellbeing needs. Mentors should be the first point of contact if there are any questions or concerns.

We have two timetabled slots during the week for mentors to work on necessary skills and behaviours which support learning with their group. We check on academic progress and work towards the goals students and their whānau have set for themselves. We ensure that Student Mentors connect with the parents at least twice during the year in a mentoring hui, that is designed to provide an overview of achievement, engagement and goal setting across a student’s subjects.

We also teach some social and life skills to support wellbeing and to equip students for life beyond school.