Welcome to the 1st edition of Mentoring Matters for 2026!

As the school year gets underway, it has been wonderful to see our mentoring sessions return across local schools. After the holiday break, mentors and students have been reconnecting, sharing stories from their time off, and settling back into the rhythm of weekly mentoring.

This term has been a milestone for Standing Tall. Our program continues to grow, now supporting 92 students across 17 local schools and education providers, and we’re excited to launch our first partnership with South West TAFE - Hamilton Campus, opening new opportunities for young people to be part of our mentoring community.

A very special moment this term was the return of our founder, Jeanette Pritchard OAM, who visited Hamilton to see the program thriving. Her pride and joy in witnessing the program she started continue to make a difference was palpable - a powerful reminder of the lasting impact mentoring has in our community.

None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, schools, supporters, and donors. In this edition of Mentoring Matters, we celebrate the term’s highlights, showcase our partnerships, and share ways you can help us to continue to empower young people in our region.

Thank you for being part of the Standing Tall family.