The main objective of the mentoring programme at Welham is to foster a friendly partnership between
the mentor and the mentee in order to develop a bond/relationship that gives the student the comfort
of having a home away from home. The informal discussions and dialogues offer them fresh insights
and help them cope with the myriad issues that a boarding school life may pose.
All the students need and have a right to be part of an inclusive, responsive and friendly boarding
community, an atmosphere where they can feel comfortable seeking help and guidance on any matter.
Each teacher, who is the mentor, is responsible for a group of 10-12 students as mentees. The mentors,
who have lunch with their mentees every day, also interact with them on a regular basis. This gives the
mentor an opportunity to discuss a range of topics from academics to interpersonal relationships. The
mentees often seek their mentors when they need a confidant or just a friendly sounding board.
Another aim of the mentoring programme is to motivate and assist students to improve their academic
performance while promoting a cohesive boarding school culture. The mentors take an informed
interest in their mentees’ schedules, grades, and discipline to ensure that they are meeting their goals.
The mentors also encourage their mentees to actively participate in sports, extracurricular activities and
community service. Mentors often attend the sporting events, inter-house competitions or
performances to support and boost the morale of their mentees.
Our fledgling mentoring programme is proving to be successful in providing a sense of well-being and
mutual respect between the mentors and mentees.
To ensure the emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing of the girls, the school makes sure that the Hostel Staff attend workshops and seminars from time to time. These help in developing skills, attitudes, and values necessary to gain the ability to understand and manage the current social and emotional issues the girls face with empathy.