Rumble at The Jungle

15 Sep Rumble at The Jungle

If you have been keeping up with the Year 12 Mentoring updates you will be aware that seven Year 12 (now Year 13) students have been involved with a 10-week mentoring programme with Media company Jungle Creations, via Peer2Peer.

The programme has been one of the best we have ever taken part in, and this is down to Heena at Peer2Peer and Dionne at Jungle Creations for their facilitation and organisation.

However, the real stars have been the seven students and their amazing mentors.

At the end of the summer term, they were getting to the end of the programme and working hard on their final pitches. Their project had to meet a set of criteria and showcase not only their skills and their learning, but their ability to sell to an audience. At stake was the opportunity to gain a paid two-week internship at Jungle Creations – so we were left waiting to see who would be crowned “King Queen of the Jungle”.

I was privileged to go to the presentations on 22^nd August at the Jungle offices. I was asked to be on the judging panel with Heena, Dionne and Mel Chapman (CEO of Jungle Creations). When agreeing I did not realise what an emotional experience it would be.

Each pair presented their project and vision and then had an individual interview with the panel (both mentee and mentor separately). Each member of the panel found a different project affected them in an emotional way they were not expecting.

I could not get over how professional, well-prepared, and knowledgeable every single student was. We expect great things from them, but they blew the top right off. I saw students that 10 weeks earlier were more reserved and quieter, students that would have struggled to stand up in front of four people and talk to them – suddenly command the floor and take the judging panel with them on their projects’ journey from inception to creation and to where it could go in the future.

Every single student held the judges’ attention throughout their presentation. Each pitch was different, showcasing their own interests and passion and using their mentor’s expertise to provide a seriously professional business pitch. We had pitches around Disney & FIFA, via magazines & live chat shows, products and merchandise provided. Projects dealing with equality for all, educating about careers – the variety was awe inspiring as the ideas came from the students themselves.

And then…. we had to choose one winner! Every one of them could have been that winner, genuinely it was one of the hardest things to do. For Mel, who does this all the time, it was a genuine challenge and long discussions were had between the four of us – a testament to our students. It became so difficult that Mel generously agreed to two students getting an internship (remember it is paid!).

Before I reveal our winners, it is important to realise that every student achieved greatness during their project. More importantly, through the programme as a whole, each one grew as a person, in confidence and stature. The trust that developed between mentee and mentor was incredible. I cannot thank Heena (Peer2Peer), Dionne & Mel (Jungle) and Connor, Mariem, Nads, Patri, Steph, Tom & Tricia (the exceptional Jungle Mentors) enough – they have made a huge difference and given seven students an exceptional experience.

And so to the winners:

Almas & Nads

Ronnie & Steph

Hopefully the Jungle Drums are telling me that we’ll do it again this year!!

Miss Campbell

Deputy Director of Sixth Form

Head of Year 12