Big Brother/Big Sister

The post primary schools in Banagher have, for many, years run a “Cairde” scheme. This is a programme where senior students acted as mentors to First Years.  This year, Banagher, Coláiste Na Sionna, has introduced a similar scheme known as “Big Brother Big Sister”. This is a mentoring programme for young people sponsored by “Foroige”. It involves a considerable amount of training, both group work and one-to-one, conducted by Ms. Caroline McDermott over a three week period.  There are two strands to the programme, the community based programme and the school based programme. It is the school based programme which will be operating in Banagher, Coláiste Na Sionna. The organising teachers within the school are Ms. Maria Doorly and Ms. Louise Brennan. College College

Over one hundred Fifth Year students will be mentors to First Year students. Each Fifth Year will be assigned a First Year when they will befriend and support throughout the school year. First Year students and Fifth Years will meet on a regular basis. Activities will include having chats, games, sports, book clubs, arts and crafts, etc. All meeting will be supervised by the link teachers within the school.

The benefits to both First Years are apparent. Students will be enabled to settle into their new school, make new friends, have fun, learn new skills, support one another, share interests and talents, improve communication skills, attend outings and fun days and enhance the feel good factor.

Fifth Years as well as benefiting personally will have the satisfaction of knowing, that taking part as trail blazers in something very worthwhile, they will have made a significant contribution to the overall life of the school.

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