Western District (WDIST) held the Appointment Ceremony of its "Student Mentorship Scheme" and "Secondary School Support Officers Scheme" on October 17. 

 

Officiating at the ceremony were WDIST Deputy District Commander Kan Kai-yan, Chairman of the Southern District Fight Crime Committee (DFCC), Mr Raymond Leung, Vice-chairman of the Central and Western DFCC, Mr Thomas Cheung, Chairman of WDIST Student Mentorship Scheme Preparation Committee, Mr Wing K. Yip, community leaders and the principals of the schools participating in the mentorship scheme. 

 

The mentorship scheme is a joint effort by WDIST, Western District Junior Police Call Honorary Presidents Council, the DFCCs of Central and Western District and Southern District, and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Jockey Club Lei Tung Integrated Services Centre. The scheme aims at training higher form secondary students into mentors with the assistance of police and Non-government Organisations so that the former would help their junior form schoolmates adapt to new school environments and refrain from school bullying and deviant behaviour.

 

Since its commencement in 2006, the mentorship scheme has attracted the participation of an increasing number of schools. This year, over 200 senior form students from 11 secondary schools have been appointed "Student Mentors".

 

The "Secondary School Support Officers Scheme" is a special project designed by WDIST to provide students with professional counselling, strengthen support for particular schools, and further reinforce the link between WDIST and schools. This year, 15 WDIST inspectorate officers are participating in the scheme, helping out with school functions in Western and Southern districts in their leisure time in a bid to maintain continuous communication and liaison with schools. The Secondary School Support Officers also assist schools in organising diverse activities, such as workshops, research projects, extra-curricular activities, and training. Through these activities, the police volunteers will not only serve the community, but also share their life experience with young people and help them set positive values and goals.