John the Baptist Community School launched a new programme at the beginning of the academic year. The Links Programme assists and supports First Year students adjust and settle into second level school. The Links Programme involves trained T.Y. students becoming a point of contact and support to First Year students.

Interested T.Y. students in the Programme applied in writing to become Links students at the end of their Third Year. This year, forty six students were selected from over eighty applicants. They completed a full training day in May 2003. Six mentor teachers guide and monitor the Links Programme throughout the year.

The Links students become a point of contact to three or four First Year students. The Links students play a key role in welcoming the First Years and this year they were part of the First Year Induction day.

The Programme has obvious benefits for our First Year students as they adjust to second level school. It also helps to build confidence and leadership qualities in our T.Y. students. We wish the students and all participating in the Programme every success for the year.