Buddy Up! Peer Mentoring at Greenwood

The energy in Room 174 is crackling with laughter and good camaraderie during lunch on Fridays. This is where the Peer Mentoring Committee meets with their ‘buddies’ to have lunch, converse and provide extra help with schoolwork or the BTT course. Whether the conversation is about how to tackle an upcoming oral presentation for class or where the closest skate park is, the atmosphere of the room feels warm and welcoming.

The Peer Mentoring Committee is led by two executive members, Nathan Barry ‘23 and Sadie Greenhut ‘23. Mentors usually comprise Grade 11 and 12 students (with the occasional Grade 10 student); these older students buddy up with students from Grades 7 to 9. The mentors are surveyed to determine their subject strengths and are then paired with the younger mentees who would benefit from their expertise and help. The senior students receive training to become a peer mentor and usually this involves lots of scenario practice.

“For Grade 7s, having a familiar, friendly face early in the school year is very beneficial,” says Sarah Ewen, the teacher supervisor of the Committee. “Often that relationship continues to develop throughout the school years.” 

Whenever there’s a mentee on the waitlist, the Committee tries to locate a suitable mentor as soon as possible. While most mentors only are buddied up with one mentee, some mentors may have two buddies. 

“It’s really great to help your buddies,” says Nathan Barry ‘23. “You get to encourage them to try out for clubs and athletics and help with homework or BTT.” 

“For me, being a part of the Committee has let me develop my leadership skills and meet people from all grades,” adds Sadie Greenhut ‘23. “You get to see what’s going on with the school community as well from this perspective.”

The Peer Mentoring Committee is just one of the ways Greenwood helps to not only support students’ academic needs but also provide a supportive environment for students to aim higher in all aspects of their school life.