School MATES

Level 3: Self Implementation Program + School Awareness Presentation + Teacher & Student Workshops

We all need a MATE; A friend. Our mates help us feel a sense of belonging and connectedness at school. Many students find forming social relationships difficult. The Mates program is about empowering the students who find forming social relationships difficult. It provides teachers with expertise needed to support the vulnerable learners.

The School MATES Level 3: Self-Implementation Program + School Awareness Presentation + Teacher & Student Workshops is about equipping you with the information, expertise and resources you need to empower the students who find forming social relationships difficult. This is accompanied by a school wide awareness presentation plus exclusive Teacher and Student workshops from International Stevie Award Winner Randa Habelrih to ensure EVERYBODY involved is able to understand and enact their role within School MATES.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    TEACHER TRAINING

    • 1. The Importance of The MATES Program

    • 2. Your Role As a Teacher Mentor

    • 3. Implementing The Program

    • 4. A Glimpse Into the World of Autism

    • 5. Changing The World One Person At A Time
  • 2

    STUDENT TRAINING

    • 1. Are You The Right Person to be a MATES Leader? (SCHOOL ASSEMBLY VIDEO)

    • 2. The Importance of Being a MATES Leader

    • 3. What You Need to Do As a MATES Leader

    • 4. Understanding Your Mate

    • 5. Would you like to participate as a Supported MATE? (SUPPORTED MATE VIDEO)
  • 3

    RESOURCES & WORKBOOKS

    • Students Workbook

    • Teachers Handbook

    • Activity Links

    • Implementation Checklist

    • MATES Leaders Application Form

    • Supported MATE Application Form
  • 4

    BONUS CONTENT

    • Improving Your Schools Performance For Students with ASD

    • An 8 Step Plan to Improving Your Schools Performance

"Randa was inspirational in the way that she engaged the students in her presentation. The MATES program has really contributed to the positive inclusive learning environment at Matraville Sports High School and has provided positive student leadership opportunities for the MATES leaders."

LISA KEATING Deputy Principal Matraville Sports High School

Speaker, Author, Social Inclusion Activist & International Stevie Award Winner

Randa Habelrih

Overnight I went from being a marketing executive to the mother of a child with autism. I learned first-hand the devastating effects of exclusion and bullying. Although the journey was challenging, I’m so proud of my son, he is one of my biggest blessings, he has inspired me, taught me to love unconditionally and reminds me daily to become a better person.The obstacles were many and following one of many bullying incidents at school, I chose to speak directly to my son’s peers by creating a YouTube video, which has since travelled the world and been awarded a prize.This encouraged me to write a book called “Dealing With Autism”, this is not just a narrative it also includes a chapter dedicated to offering a proactive solution called School MATES. MATES is an acronym for Mates Assisting To Engage Socially.I’m so passionate about social inclusion. Too many students are lonely and feel ostracised at school, this makes their academic goals almost redundant as they lose their motivation to achieve. We all crave a sense of belonging and want to feel connected socially. The MATES programme was created based on this premise.For most of us when we look back at our school years, we recall the friendships we made and the interactions we had. For too many students, this will not be possible due to their isolated experiences in school.Not only am I the proud mother of an amazing young man on the autism spectrum, I'm also qualified in other areas; I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree, have lectured on Marketing Management, Consumer Behaviour and have worked with companies such as Estee Lauder, Lancôme, Ralph Lauren, David Jones, The University of NSW.My business background coupled with my autism experience, allows for a unique perspective.I'm fully committed to creating a more inclusive world and to empowering people with the leadership skills and mindset to believe they can change our world and make it a better place.I'm greatly humbled to have recieved the 2017 Gold Stevie for Women Helping Women at the International Women in Business Awards in New York. This reaffirms that we each have the ability to make a difference in changing our world, one person at a time.