Wesley College Leads in Respect

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Wesley College 

Students playing house of ropes.
Students playing house of ropes.

A meeting with new Wesley College Middle School Principle Andrew Manley and Sports Challenge Australia’s CEO Dr Garry Tester in 2011 has led to a ‘world first’ program for Year 5 students being developed to enhance their life skills and in particular, the value of Respect. 
Using Sports Challenge’s unique mentoring experiential learning model, all Year 5 boys have been measured objectively upon their self-esteem along with a specifically developed program of problem solving activities, life skills of: team work, communication and most importantly, respect for themselves, peers, family and others. 
In 2012 all boys have been taking part in a series of programs both in the classroom and outdoors, developing cognitive skills of respect, understanding what teamwork is all about, two way communication with important others and positive interactions with the Sports Challenge mentors, led by new Programs Coordinator Emma Trenwith and senior mentors CJ Jackson, Christal Ryan and Calum O’Connell. 
Students playing grid.
Students playing grid.

An important part of the program is the link on the Sports Challenge website called ‘E-Pals’ where all boys have a 24/7 link with their mentors. As one year 5 boy emailed, “I can’t wait for the next Sports Challenge class, as I now have a good friend outside of school who is always there to help me when I need it, Sports Challenge rocks.”