 POSM - Project Oriented School Mentoring What is POSM? The Project Orientated School Mentoring (POSM) program creates interactive learning experiences for boys - experiences that build practical and social skills, and create a whole new perspective for young men in their attitude towards their schools. POSM is a unique model. It aims to build a clear foundation of success at school, anticipating that further successes will follow. This is the most important part of an early intervention approach. Responsibility sits with mentors, staff and teachers to facilitate the discovery of skills and uniqueness in boys. This must be done at an early stage so that those not excelling in mainstream avenues can find alternative ways for success and fulfilment. We facilitate expression of their skills and connect them with their peers and the wider school community. POSM is about creating alternative early pathways of acknowledgement, transition, and opportunity for boys at risk. Using an early identification/strength based approach (project based mentoring), we invite the boys to contribute to their school environment (for example, by building a garden) and stimulate a process that leads to greater inclusion, ownership and reflective learning. Why use the POSM program? Project Orientated Activities. What are they? Example of POSM in operation Why use the POSM program? For some time, governments have been aware of declining standards in boys' education and participation in the school community. The research evidence indicates that boys are not thriving in the modern school environment. In 1981, girls' NSW tertiary entrance scores were 0.6 marks higher than boys; in 1996, this gap had grown to 19.4. 30% of boys in sole-parent families had low academic competence whereas only 17% of boys in a couples family came under this category. In year five, 41% of boys could not meet the writing standard compared to 26% of girls. 90% of juvenile offenders are male. There is a lack of men in boys' relationships within the school environment. (from Dr Thierry Bouhours, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Queensland 2003-2004) Project Orientated Activities. What are they? Activities are chosen to link with a school's overall directions, trends, and interests. Schools choose activities that will make a real difference to their infrastructure, activities that are highly valued and easy to notice and acknowledge. POSM is based on evidence that boys benefit from positive male role models, and they are more open to mentoring when their primary focus is on a task, rather than on talking about issues. While being located within the schools, POSM activities are often outside the classroom, thus providing more personalised avenues for engagement with mentors. What happens? - Positive outcomes for children Creates interactive learning experiences; Builds practical skills; Shapes social skills; and Creates a whole new perspective for the children in their attitude towards their school. Example of POSM in operation Theodore Primary school chose to create 'The Magical Garden', working with boys and girls from 3rd and 4th grades. Groups of four pupils work in teams to design and build parts of the garden. Early involvement in the final vision is gained by asking them to design the layout of the garden. They choose what might be in the garden and where it might be placed. Students accomplish the planned activities, each session achieving positive steps such as filling garden beds with soil, and planting. As the garden grows, its progress is witnessed not just by the students doing the work, but also by the wider school community. This visual evidence changes stereotypes such as 'he is always bad and disruptive', to 'look what he did in the garden!' |