The school has a number of partnerships with other schools in the ACT to provide mentoring opportunities in the school. These programs aim to support and build confidence and authentic opportunities for all participants. The program incorporates formal certification and possible future vocational pathways for participants including Australian School Based Apprenticeships.
Research has outlined many benefits of peer mediated interventions for young people with disabilities, and mentors. The Woden School recognises these benefits and creates opportunities for our students to interact with students from other local schools. This includes an ongoing relationship with our neighbouring school, Alfred Deakin High School (ADHS), involving programs across all year groups. In particular, Year 9 and 10 students from ADHS volunteer for a mentoring program at The Woden School. This involves regular visits to classrooms.
Other participants:
- Marist College (Sports program)
- Alfred Deakin High
Chan, Jeffrey M. et. al; 'Use of peer-mediated interventions in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review' in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders Volume 3, Issue 4, October–December 2009, Pages 876–889
Gillman, Debra; 'The Power of Peer Mentoring' Waisman Center University of Wisconsin–Madison University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities 2006 http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/hrtw/PPM.pdf
Staub, Debbie; 'Using Nondisabled Peers To Support the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities at the Junior High School Level' Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, v21 n4 p194-205 Win 1996http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ547354&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ547354