23 May 2018
In a first for Dubbo College and the University of Sydney School of Rural Health, a group of third and fourth year medical students have started tutoring Year 9 and 10 students at Delroy Campus.
The brainchild of fourth year medical student Megan Lawson Jakob, the new tutoring program began this week and will continue on a weekly basis with Year 9 and 10 students taking part in alternating weeks.
Ms Lawson Jakob said she was aware that medical students had been doing some private tutoring, but she was determined to organise a free program for a local school.
"I just thought it was a cool idea to provide a free service and this was enthusiastically supported by the Dubbo Medical Students' Society, with Delroy Campus also very quick to take up the offer," she said.
"The aim is to provide tutoring each Tuesday afternoon in all subjects, but the Delroy students have indicated they need most help with maths and science.
"As well as providing help with homework, assignments and assessment tasks, the tutoring program will provide students with a bit of an idea about life in higher education.
"Hopefully it may inspire some of these students to pursue further education at the conclusion of their school years.
"Of course there are also benefits for the medical students because it will help to build a team environment inclusive of both third and final year students."
Medicine is a post-graduate degree at the University of Sydney so all medical students have already achieved a degree.
Ms Lawson Jakob said this meant the students were well qualified in a variety of fields and able to tutor in the full range of school subjects.
Delroy Campus head teacher Peter Maher, who is organising the school side of the tutoring program, said students were very pleased with the opportunity.
"There are two classes on board with this program and they were all very keen to be involved," he said.
"Megan Lawson Jakob approached our school with the idea of the tutoring and mentoring program and our staff decided quickly to take up the offer.
"We have developed a tutorial request form, which our students must fill out identifying their needs prior to the tutoring class.
"They then take this along and spend time with one of the medical students working towards their educational goals."
Dubbo College Delroy Campus principal Debbie Head said she was very grateful to the University of Sydney medical students.
"I am thrilled that the medical students would give up their time and offer their expertise to assist students at Delroy to be their very best academically," she said.
"It is such an amazing opportunity! "