Since 2012, members of Scots Presbyterian Church have been undergoing extensive training to provide one-to-one mentoring to students from Cootamundra Public School as part of the Kids Hope Aus program.

An initiative of World Vision, the program seeks to match up one local church with one primary school to provide one hour of social, emotional and academic assistance each week.

Cootamundra Public School principal Bill Godman said the re-engagement factor of the exciting program speaks volumes to its success.

That success prompted Mr Godman to nominate Scots Presbyterian Church for a Department of Education and Communities (DEC) Director’s Award, which was accepted by pastor Matt Mitchell and his wife Jan on behalf of all the volunteers.

“We wanted to highlight the significant contribution of both time and effort to our school community,” Mr Godman said.

The program is coordinated by Jan Mitchell and school chaplain Sue Masters, who travelled to Victoria in order to receive the qualifications necessary to select and train other mentors.

“The kids involved love it and look forward to it, and all the mentors really enjoy it as well,” Mrs Masters said.

“It’s been great for me to build a trusting relationship with my little girl and see her grow and develop to become more confident and resilient.”

Jan said she has been excited by the opportunity for the church to become more involved in the community at large and appreciated the holistic approach of the program.

So far Sue and Jan have trained 11 mentors, and they plan to train more over the summer holidays due to popular demand.

Other schools who wish to get involved with the successful program are encouraged to get in contact with a local church and find out more at www.kidshopeaus.org.au.