RP Mentors Programme

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RP Mentors Belonging Programme (Building Student Leadership Capacity in Line with Bí Cineálta)

Are you seeking to develop the relational leadership skills of your senior students to enhance a sense of belonging in an increasingly disconnected world?

Are you looking for dynamic, fun and active ways to operationalise a mentor programme within your school?

Are you looking for structure to maximise student participation and empower the student voice in meaningful ways?

If you answered 'Yes' to the above, then the RP Student Mentor programme is for you.

Scroll on down for more information

Mentor It

The first phase of this programme is to gather the teachers together for a Face to Face training day with Michelle, where they will focus on the skills required to facilitate this programme among their students back in the classroom.

The next date for this training day is the 30th of April 2025 in Dublin West Education Centre. If you're interested in participating, please register here to register your interest.

Resource It

Coordinators of the programme will walk away in hand with their printed teacher lesson plans, classroom resources and an attractive student journal to support in the immediate implementation of this programme.

A breakdown of these resources can be found here.

Practise It

Mentors will facilitate 5 key lessons with younger students to cultivate a sense of belonging and maximise opportunities for connection & understanding around the following themes:

Lesson 1 - Bringing the Good Vibes!
Lesson 2 - Things in Common
Lesson 3 - Relationship-building Circles
Lesson 4 - Listening Skills
Lesson 5 - Problem- Solving Skills

What Are the Benefits of Doing the RP Student Mentors Programme?

This RP Student Mentor Programme offers a wonderful way to:

Develop relational leadership & oracy skills of senior students
Cultivate a connected environment for younger/new students were they feel a sense of belonging
Operationalise an existing mentor role with resources, lesson plans, games & activities
Scaffolds to celebrate Student Participation & Student Voice
Promote a literacy and more importantly, an experience of relational practices
Enable RP broadcasting to parents/guardians

Curriculum Resources/Supports/Lesson Plan

1. Co-ordinator Supports (Teacher)

Lesson Guide and Resources manual to train RP Mentors (5 x 40 min lesson plans to train/prepare students to be RP mentors)
12 month access to pre-recorded RP Mentor Training course 'Be Here, Be You, Belong' outlining 5 training sessions & lesson plans to support co-ordinator to train mentors
Set of 4 posters for training area
Giraffe talking/listening piece, lanyard and RP question card

2. RP Mentor Supports (Students)

20 x RP Mentor Resource Booklets with lesson plans and resources (outlining 5 x lesson plans and resources for RP Mentors to facilitate 5 x 30 min 'Be Here, Be You, Belong' sessions with younger students)
Resource pack for RP student Mentors includes:
20 x Giraffe talking/listening pieces
20 x Lanyards
20 X RP Question Cards
20 X RP Mentor Badges

Costs:

Investment of €1,295 (incl. 1 x staff co-ordinator place at the Training Day)

**Book using the links below or get in touch for more details hello@connectrp.ie

What our previous participants have said...

"The restorative practice training was so engagement and interactive. I am energised running to my students."

Clíona O'Shaughnessy, Deputy Year Head

"The training was so practical, hands on and so easy to implement. I can’t wait to get back to school and bring back the positivity and energy and see how it can grow!"

Karen Smythe, Teacher

"The Restorative Practice student mentor program workshop is fabulous! Aspirational in many school contexts? yes, however, the day was jam packed with lots of practical games and activities that can be used in a variety of settings. The best CPD day I have attended in a long time, Michelle Stowe is inspirational, approachable and such a wonderful facilitator."

Louise Keane, Teacher

"I feel that this will enable the TY and 1st Years to have a more fulfilling experience in school."

Kevin Cullen

I find it a useful programme because of the structure and format that it gives the mentors. It streamlines their role and gives them a specific purpose apart from student council or sse committee. In my class I have used the curriculum circles for revision purposes. I have used RP to ‘talk’ students down who for whatever reason who feel that they have lost control for whatever reason. It provides a framework in many different scenarios that support learning in and outside of the classroom. It promotes the culture and ethos of the school. It enables our students to experience leadership which they will take with them forever. It embodies lifelong learning which as teachers means we have achieved our goals.

Teacher - Student Voice

Having a shared language and approach to to building relationships and for dealing with challenging behaviour and conflict. We know what we are supposed to be doing and where we are supposed to be going, even if we don't always get there.

Ciara McAuley, Acting Deputy Principal

Working with Michelle and Connect RP has been an excellent experience. We are growing Restortive Practice in our school. This Belonging Mentoring Programme links in perfectly as a follow on for our TY mentors as they will have completed the Relationship Keeper Programme. It is a fantastic practical approach to bring RP to our students, fostering relationship building and leadership skills amongst our students.