Jeremy's Story

Jeremy Tang – ReachOut! Club Mentor 2011-12


2nd Year English Language and Linguistics student at Queen Mary, University of London

Queen Mary Freshers Fair. One of the first events of my university life and I was overwhelmed with the different societies/volunteer opportunities that were on offer, however, a small stall drew my attention - ReachOut! was promoting their cause; to mentor disadvantaged children in the local community. I signed up for more info...

Training. I was very nervous and clueless as to what was going to happen but the session went really well and I learnt many things, such as the different ways you could teach Maths (never knew how the methods have advanced so much!), techniques for dealing with challenging behaviour, and all the things I could gain from the experience.

I chose the ReachOut! Club in De Beauvoir Primary School in Hackney, and after a year there, it's safe to say I wouldn't choose another school! I would be lying if I didn't say I was apprehensive about going into Hackney for the first time. You make judgements from the news; however, it was totally misconstrued. I had no problems in Hackney and when I tell my friends back home about my experiences, they find it very hard to believe!

The first session. It was weird, setting foot into a primary school and all these memories flooding back! I met other Queen Mary and UCL students, who had signed up to the programme and it was great to hear why they were taking part; reasons ranging from wanting to help the community to considering working with children as their chosen profession.

'What had I let myself in for?' That was the question running through my head when we walked into the room with the kids. They were very hyperactive and it gave me a shock, some of them play fighting and some running around like they were on sugar. We met Maxwell, the Project Leader, and then all introduced ourselves to the kids in the order; name, favourite colour, favourite football team. Most of the kids were Man United fans; I was a Liverpool fan so I knew we would have a rivalry straight away!

Sports was a big part for the boys. At the start of most sessions we played football, promoting respect and team work in the progress. This gave the kids a chance to run around whilst enjoying themselves, whilst developing their character by working as a team and exercising fairness. However, you question your own sport skills when you get nutmegged by a ten year old! Sportsmanship can show a person's true character and this was reflected in the games we played and how some of their personalities progressed from the start of ReachOut! till the final session. Usually at the end of sessions, we joined up with the girls and played dodge-ball, which highlighted the ferocious rivalry between the girls and boys and was some fun for the mentors who tried to take it light-heartedly (even though I couldn't!).

Numeracy and Literacy. All the children were at different levels academically and needed tasks appropriate to their level. I was assigned to mentor one child and worked with him throughout the project supporting him with Maths and English. The different exercises gave it variety which didn't make it boring, and we worked in his book especially for ReachOut! (designed in the first week). The improvement was astonishing, and his handwriting also improved which is imperative. The key to any child is to guide them to the right answer, whether it be in comprehensions or maths equations, making them use their initiative and they will gradually improve in their work.

De Beauvoir has given me some great memories, specifically seeing my mentee grow in personality and academically. All I wanted when I first started at ReachOut! was for the children to take something positive from this programme, and I can safely say that everyone learnt something from their experience, whether it be their character or academically. One particular memory I will take away from my first year was when all the boys in unison went 'Oh!' in an undertone of sadness when Maxwell announced the programme was coming to an end.

I believe that I have learnt a great deal from the project myself such as learning how to deal with different situations, becoming more confident and I have been touched by the bonds that we as a group formed with the children. Managing my time with my university work and volunteering was not as hard as I thought, as long as you plan for the deadlines, the experience is invaluable and I would recommend it to anyone!

Just head to the ReachOut! website (www.reachoutuk.org) and sign up or get information from your freshers fair! As for me, I look forward to leading a group of mentors this coming year, an immense challenge that I relish.

A great year with ReachOut!

It’s often hard to see the difference you are making through all the times tables, straw towers and dodgeballs flying around.  So here are a few stats and quotes from a fantastic year of mentoring.

ReachOut! London 2011/12 in numbers

17 – the number of ReachOut! mentoring sessions each week

151 – the average number of mentors each week

204 – the average number of children attending ReachOut! mentoring projects each week

6863 – the total number of volunteer hours contributed by ReachOut! mentors

And this is what the teachers thought of the ReachOut! Club programme…

‘The children enjoyed the ReachOut! Club immensely this year. The positive impact of the one-to-one mentoring on their behaviour and self-confidence was really noticeable and I think the children are much happier about the transition to secondary school now having been supported individually this year.’ Brook Community Primary School, Hackney

‘We wish you had more places for our young people, such is the popularity of the scheme. Keep up the good work!’ De Beauvoir Primary School, Hackney

‘The boys gained from the interaction with positive role models.’ Rhyl Primary School, Camden

‘The attendance of the mentors has been good, which is very important motivation for the children. I am confident the mentoring programme has a positive impact on the academic progress and behavioural development of the children involved.’ Redlands Primary School, Tower Hamlets

‘Brilliant!  The boys love coming and look forward to their Monday sessions.’ Jubilee Primary School, Hackney

‘It is clear that the girls were greatly supported; SAT results show that individual progress and attainment was enhanced. Here are some quotes from the girls when asked if they would recommend ReachOut! to the upcoming year 6 - to which the answer was a big yes.’ Cayley Primary School, Tower Hamlets

And what did the children think of their mentors?

‘They help you with problems in subjects, explaining properly and showing different methods.’

‘We’re always having fun at the same time’

‘They help with confidence for our SATs’

‘They treat us to fun things like the pancake day’

‘Girls were like mates but like teachers as well’

‘Sports were proper fun’

‘They gave us confidence’

To become a ReachOut! mentor visit our website and register your interest now!

Summer Programme in pictures

15 days, 198 booster classes and 3 trips later, the ReachOut! Summer Programme 2012 came to an end last Friday with our Final Day Presentation.  It was another fantastic year with new activities and record numbers of volunteers!

Here are just some of the pictures we collected...

Icing Cupcakes! 

TOTKO workshop

Maths lesson...

Making parachutes in Art!

Parachute launch

Year 9 filming workshop

Showtime!

Poetry workshop with year 7

Rap-off

More maths...

Me, I know! 

English lesson, year 5

Junior Mentors 

English board games!

Artictic creations

 Face-painting! 

ReachOut! flag designed by Korede Y5

 Playground

 Races

 More races

CEO speaking at the Final Day Presentation

TOTKO comes to the Summer Programme!

Three weeks ago, in preparation for the start of the Summer Prgoramme, teachers and volunteers took part in a day of training. This year we welcomed an additional workshop from an organisation called TOTKO (Takes One To Know One).

TOTKO’s Learning Disability Awareness workshop was a fascinating insight into learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD) told through first-hand experiences of the challenges that learning disabled people face. Despite its delicate subject, the workshop focused on positive aspects. Did you know that learning disabled people are more likely to have a higher IQ?
We learnt of the importance of early diagnosis, that Steve Jobs and Richard Branson are learning disabled and about its links to depression, unemployment and crime levels. We also discussed stigmas: in particular, the ways in which our teachers could ensure equality in their lessons. Above all, the idea that learning disabilities can be partly supported through more accessible and varied teaching techniques was really refreshing. We also found that focusing on the different ways in which we all learn, incorporating visual, audio and kinesthetics into our teaching could help to engage a learning disabled child.

Last week we invited TOTKO back to run a workshop with the children. The session was titled ‘When I Grow Up’ and asked the children to think about the things they are good at. 

Below is some of the feedback from the children:

“I learned that I can achieve anything in life as long as I push myself and have confidence in myself.” - Zahannah, 12.

“Today I have learnt of amazing people who problems with English and Maths, who have overcome their disability and not let it hold them back. This has shown me that I can be anything I want and all I need is inspiration.” - Belle, 11.

“I learnt there is nothing wrong in being dyslexic.” - Harriet, 12.

ReachOut! helps prospective teachers on their way!

Nearly 20 teaching and coaching staff have helped run the ReachOut! Summer Programme this year.  The amazing team is made up of students, graduates, local residents and qualified teachers, some for the fourth year in a row! 

Vaithergei Vijayathas is a Maths teacher on the ReachOut! Summer Programme this year, an experience which is helping her on her way to becoming a teacher.

'The Reachout! Summer School is an extremely beneficial and rewarding opportunity for those who wish to pursue teaching as a career. It helps one look out for aspects of teaching and practice in preparation to be able to lead and facilitate a class of students. Lesson planning involves looking at national curriculum requirements for a particular year group, and differentiation in order for children of all abilities to acquire knowledge from the classes. 

It is fascinating when one listens to the children’s quirky ideas, and the joy of when they understand and excel in a task is indescribable. This is when a teacher knows that they have been successful in imparting and communicating knowledge to the pupils. Not a day passes when a teacher does not learn something new or realise that some techniques are less effective so they would have to modify their skills. 

I personally feel far more confident about studying a PGCE after teaching on the Reachout! Program as it has made me realise that I do in fact have what it takes to be a successful teacher and I cannot wait to further my learning.'