Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Service (TYMS)
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Kiti's Story

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Teacher Kitiona Pasene mentored young people through TYMS whilst completing his Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
Kiti says his experience at TYMS has made him a better teacher. When there is trouble with a student he is less quick to judge and takes the time to find out what is going on.

“Mostly our kids at school are just so awesome, and then one day one of them will be off. And nine times out of ten it's something at home. Before I was working at TYMS I would have been like, ‘Hey, pull your head in.’ But after TYMS, before coming to conclusions I actually find out what's going on for the young person.” He also encourages other teachers to look beyond the behaviour.

Whilst working for TYMS, Kiti also saw the value of connecting with whānau and families to help them support their young person. He would often go through school reports, and realise that the parents had no idea what the reports were telling them. “They would see a number ‘2’ there and think that their Year 10 child was doing well - they are nearly at number one. What they don't realise is that the number 2 reflects the reading level of a seven-year-old.”
Kiti did one of his teacher training placements at Onehunga High, where the school were interested in his work with TYMS. Onehunga High School has since joined the Starpath programme, an academic counselling and goal-setting programme, that, among other things, aims is to improve communication with parents and whānau. Kiti saw himself in a lot of the young men he worked with at TYMS. “I say to them, ‘I was just like you. You don't need to be so staunch.’”

Kiti, who currently plays rugby league for the Mt Albert Lions and previously played for the Auckland Vulcans, worked hard to motivate the students he mentored through TYMS. “I would tell them about the teams I played for, and they would ask how they get to do that. I would just tell them, ‘Hard work and education. That's what you need to do. I've been to uni, so can you.’”

“I say go for it – whatever you want to do, go for it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't.'”

What Our Clients Are Saying

Our Location
Find us at 644 Swanson Road, Swanson, Auckland
“If I can just affirm all the great progress that our boys are showing at school in their confidence, physical health, and their learning. Much of which is attributable to the great work that their mentor is doing."

"TYMS helped me grow as a person. They helped me understand a few things that no one else was willing to help me understand, and help me see through things that no one else could." 

"Watching my son grow in the time that his mentor has been involved with him, aw bro it's been amazing. Without his mentor, my son wouldn't even be this young man that people are now seeing before their eyes. He's not out getting himself into trouble, bullying others, or hurting girls. My son came home one day after his session with the mentor and he said, 'I'm so happy you got me help mum'".

Contact Us 

office@tyms.org.nz
099712746
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  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Board of Trustees
    • Our Team >
      • In Loving Memory
  • What do we do?
    • Academic Mentoring
    • TYMS Transition to Adulthood
    • Residential Remand Learning
    • Moana Tautua
    • Healthy Relationships Programme
    • Basketball (Polyjammers)
    • Cultural Programmes (Mamanu/Ofaga)
    • Polyjam Classic (Fundraiser)
    • Past Programmes >
      • Trade School Program
    • News & Events
    • Learning & evaluation >
      • Stories of change
      • Blog
  • Our supporters
    • Key Supporters
    • Food Providers
  • Contact Us
  • Mentor Portal
    • Activity Bank
    • Weekly Victories