Our Insights

Mentoring has benefits for all parties, including increased self-confidence and self-awareness, leadership and communication skills, exposure to new and different perspectives, a wider personal network and Increased job satisfaction. Mentees (those being mentored) can benefit from gaining access to role models they might otherwise not meet, and having an advocate who supports them, often resulting in reduced anxiety.

More and more tertiary courses now accept students without an ATAR score. They believe the ATAR ranking says nothing about their other learning capabilities, prior achievements, potential or application. So every year there are more alternatives to the ATAR. And for personal wellbeing, there is no point in stressing in pursuit of those often too-well publicised numbers.

Skyline’s Theory of Change describes the students selected for the program as ‘high ability students who are gifted and/or academically talented, with a growth mindset, leadership potential, and resilience in the face of their social and economic challenges’. But what exactly is a growth mindset, how do you recognise it, and can everybody display one?

For most people, their career trajectory does not resemble a rocket heading for the moon. A focus on pathways – including sideways steps through study and employment – can lead to a fulfilling life experience. The 2020 Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis found that the Skyline Program ‘expanded further education and employment pathways’ for participants (Think Impact, 2020).

Everyone experiences anxiety differently, but there are some common signs and symptoms: a racing heart, faster breathing, feeling tense or having aches (especially in the neck, shoulders and back), sweating or feeling dizzy, shaking and ‘butterflies’ or feeling sick in the stomach.

Fear is a primal protective mechanism in the jungle. Fear can keep us safe. But too much fear, like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), can get in the way of living healthy lives. Researchers are working to understand how the brain translates fear into action.