It was so much fun to read all about the different special people in your lives – thanks for taking the time to let us know about so many of these wonderful mentors! I notice that everyone here has written about family mentors – there are some terrific pops, dads and mums, as well as Aunty Shona.

It is so important and special when our family believes in us and shows us how to live well. This is a gift that many people do not have. Your mentors love you, encourage you and give you messages for living a good life. You have asked your mentors what they believe in and how they get through hard times and they have given some very valuable answers.

Thanks so much for sharing these messages with us. I have learned a lot from you.

Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator

My pop is a person I admire. MY pop is a very good boxer. He believes in life. Leading a good life. He works hard when times are tough.

MY DAD IS SOMEONE I ADMIRE. I ADMIRE MY DAD BECAUSE HES ALWAYS THERE FOR PEOPLE. MY DAD BELIEVES IN EVERYTHING. MY DAD BEHAVES LIKE AN ADULT SHOULD WHEN THINGS GET HARD WITH OTHER PEOPLE. MY DAD ALWAYS TRIES HIS BEST TO MAKE IT BETTER HE IS LIKE A SUPER HERO MY DAD SEES ME GETTING A GOOD EDUCATION WHEN I FINISH SCHOOL MY DAD ENCOURAGES ME TO DO MY BEST IN SCHOOL WORK.

A person I admire is my mum. Because she’s always been there for me. And she has had to cope looking after four kids on her own without my dad.

The person I admire the most is my dad. What I admire the most is the colour of his eyes. My dad believes in me having my own play station 3. My dad believes in his sleep. My dad sits me down to talk to me. My dad thinks I am a good sportsman. He tells me that count to ten to cool down.

My Aunty Shona is a special person in my life because she helps me if I’m upset and feel bad. She teaches me a lot of stuff I don’t know and does a lot of fun things. She tells me a lot of things about my family that I don’t know about, so that I can understand. She believes that I’m never boring and am great. My aunty is always honest and nice to people. When times are hard she talks about it. She has always been true to me. Talk to me and help things out when they go wrong.

The person I admire is my Pop Joe .I admire that he takes care of me. He believes in family. He works hard if something has gone wrong.

I admire my brother because he looks after me. He will do anything for me.

My dad is a special person in my life because he helps me be more sporty and when I’m happy I play footy with him. He teaches me to try my best and he keeps encouraging me every game I play.

My dad is a person I admire because he funny. He tells me to be good at school and to do my best.

The person I admire is my mum. She helps me when I have the blues or am sick. My mum believes in trust and love. My mum behaves very politely and is kind. My mum was so proud when I went to star stuck. My mum just keeps going when times are getting hard.

Hope you have enjoyed reading these.
5/6P

A very good point Lilly and Sarah, mentors do not have to be older or wiser. However , they do have to be someone you care about and trust with your secrets. Lilly, you sound like a great friend and mentor. Sarah, keep up the good work with your young neighbour.

Lilly, many years ago, I had an art teacher at university, I didn’t look upon myself as an artist in any way. My teacher encouraged me to paint … I wasn’t really into it at the beginning, but she was so enthusiastic that I gave it a go. I ended up with a mark of 100 out of 100 for my major work!

My interest in art grew from that moment, and I now paint or work with stone and wood every opportunity I can. I have been a part of a number of exhibitions, and my work hangs in some really cool places. I have even sold some of my work! None of this would ever have happened without that special art teacher / mentor encouraging me so long ago. How lucky I have been.

You have worked really well with Rap Point 3 Wollumbin, it is easy to see that you have given a lot of thought to mentors and their roles. Well done!!

Maureen Wenzel
Rap coordinator

I agree with you that mentors definitely do not have to be older or wiser. As you say, a good friend can DEFINITELY be a mentor – by encouraging, being loyal and optimistic about us. Lilly, your habit of “never saying never” is fantastic and Sarah clearly feels supported by you. Sarah, good on you for being there for your younger neighbour.

Miss D sounds like a great mentor for Lilly because she is an inspiring, happy and supportive person. She sounds as if she notices people and that is a great quality. Lilly – all the best with your plan to become an art teacher. Thank you both for your ideas about good mentors – who definitely have to be people we can really trust.

All the best Lilly and Sarah!

Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator

Caitlyn – Mr Ward sounds great. He encourages you to do well at school and helps you keep an even keel when times get hard. Jemma – I’m so pleased that your family have passed on inspirational stories about your Pop. Mathew – You’ve got a good friend in Brysan – it’s great he can give you drawing tips! Aleana – Your Pop sounds very wise. I agree that it’s great to face problems, not run away from them.

Hope your excursion was great fun!

Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator

Mrs P sounds like a fantastic person! You are lucky to have someone like her who believes in you, explains things properly and likes a joke as well! It really sounds as if she has a very good sense of humour – James you sound as if you are pretty clever and catch on fast!

I wish you all the best as you take control of your own learning! It is wonderful to have mentors to show us the way – but in the end, it is up to us to do our very best.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator

bye from Wollumbin

5P would like to tell you about our mentor, Mrs P. She is our home class teacher. She is special because she listens to what we are saying, helps us learn a lot, makes up jokes, explains things properly, and tells us to take control of our learning.

She believes in us. She tells us to persevere, and to try new things.

When times get tough, Mrs P is determined to help us understand our work. She tells more jokes.

When we celebrate good things with Mrs P, she lets us play Silent Ball and tells even funnier jokes. She has a great sense of humour. She can make us smile. Mahdi reckons that even when James isn’t smiling at Mrs P’s jokes (because he already got the joke before us) we can tell that he’s smiling in his heart.

From 5P at Penrith PS

Here are 6W English’s ideas about mentors:

“Mr Ward, my home class teacher for these last two years, is my mentor. He pushes me to do well in my school work. He says, ‘That’s life’ when times get tough.” (Caitlyn)

“My Pop is my mentor even though I’ve never met him. The family tells me inspirational stories. He believed in sharing and spoiling.” (Jemma)

“My friend, Brysan, is my mentor for good drawing tips. He says, ‘Grow up!’ when times get tough.” (Mathew)

“My Pop told me about how Aboriginal people can empty out an emu egg, fill it with water and hide it under some dirt for emergencies. Pop used to say, ‘Shove your hand into a problem. It may be gross, but put up with it.’” (Aleana)

From 6W English @ Penrith PS, catching up from our excursion last week.

Thanks for your stories about the mentors in your lives!

Maritoa – Your mum sounds fantastic! How great to have a mum who believes in you and stands by you in difficult situations too. Jasmine – Your mum sounds so encouraging! I think all kids should be encouraged to look on the brighter side of life and to have time to play. Nicholas – Hazem El Masri is inspiring as a footballer and a human being, isn’t he?

Thanks for sharing!

Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator