Inspiration – works both waysThe Deloitte Foundation |
Nick Klein, Deloitte Director, provides insight into his introduction to the ABCN Goals mentoring program at Bass Hill High School. Within this program, 48 Deloitte partners and directors will mentor grade 9 and 10 school students for one year.
We often talk about ‘inspiration’ at Deloitte – inspirational partners, inspiring women and inspiring our people. When our CEO, Giam Swiegers, talked about the ABCN Goals program, which aims to inspire underprivileged school children, I knew it was going to be something special and I had to be involved.
The program started with an induction session with the principal of Bass Hill High School, Alex Djukic. As Alex spoke about the mentees, with all their personal issues, quirks and challenges, he couldn’t stop smiling. I think his unspoken message was – once you get to know them, you’ll also be better for it.
Alex described the very tangible results achieved through the Goals program in previous years – more engagement at school, increased participation in class and school activities, improved marks and most impressively, parents who notice real changes in their children.
The profile of my 13-year-old mentee, Shaun Gibbons (pictured with me above) had me liking him straight away. He enjoyed computers, was reigning champ of laser skirmish (which he was willing to prove) and his goal for the future was to get into university.
When it came time to meet our mentees Alex warned that some might be a little quiet. Not mine. As soon as he spotted my name tag, he beamed “You’re my mentor!” Within two minutes we were comparing notes on favourite computer games and the evils of year 9 algebra. They definitely matched us well.
Shaun gave me a guided tour of the school which included inspecting their pig pen, chickens and a veggie patch! He even challenged me to some homework for myself – I have to get past level 3 in World at War on my PlayStation and listen to some music by someone called Lady GaGa?
At the end of the session our mentees presented us with their ‘Commitment scrolls’. Shaun’s was elaborately decorated, but simply read: ‘I appreciate the time and effort you are giving me to help me and I promise to do my best throughout the year’.
Inspiration goes both ways and I promise to do my best throughout the year for Shaun.
