New Study Tables Programme Merges Mentorship and Extra Help
Whether it’s in math, science, or another subject, students can always find support at St. Michael’s College School (SMCS), and now, through a new co-curricular programme offering a new approach, it’s becoming even easier.
Study Tables is a new student-led initiative that falls under the peer tutoring umbrella. It was launched in February 2025.
“Peer tutors come to the Learning Enrichment Centre (LEC) and remain there so that students can receive extra help on a drop-in basis,” says Samantha McDonald, guidance counsellor and one of the staff moderators of the programme. “This is great for students who need a little extra help, someone to edit their work, a refresher on a unit, or they are busy with co-curriculars after school and need to take advantage of their time while in school.”
The programme differs from the traditional peer tutoring programme in that Study Tables provides a group setting for students who don’t necessarily need one-on-one help.
“Some students may need more focused attention with difficult subjects and some students may need a quick refresher,” says McDonald. “Some students may feel more comfortable attending a drop-in-style tutoring session with some friends rather than a one-on-one session with a tutor. Students may be busy after school and the lunchtime drop-in suits their schedule needs better as sometimes it becomes difficult for tutors and tutees to find times to meet up in their busy schedules.”
Students across all grades are welcome to join the initiative as tutors and will be matched to fellow students according to their abilities and recommendations from their teachers.
Calvin Vanderkooy, Grade 12, and Carlos Liu, Grade 11, are among the first peer tutors involved in the Study Tables programme.
“I wanted to join Study Tables because I enjoy helping others and wanted to make a positive impact on my peers,” says Vanderkooy, who mainly assists students in math, science, and accounting. “I know how frustrating it can be to struggle with a subject, so being able to support students and help develop their confidence in a subject is extremely rewarding.”
Liu, who enjoys teaching and helping others in any area, spends most of his time supporting students looking for help in math and science.
“The thing I enjoy most about being a peer tutor is using the things I learned myself to help others strive in their own areas,” he says. “It is greatly rewarding to see someone’s ideas click together and solve something they’ve struggled with previously.”
Any SMCS student can benefit from the Study Tables programme and are able to drop in to the LEC for extra help on Mondays during both lunch periods, Tuesdays before school from 8:30 to 9 a.m., and Thursdays after school.
“Peer tutoring creates opportunities for students to learn from their peers, think about how best they learn (learning style), and environments or spaces where students feel comfortable asking for extra help when they need it,” says McDonald. “Peer tutoring has been a part of St. Mike’s for many years, and hopefully, drop-in sessions like Study Tables will allow students to learn how to take care of their schoolwork while at school when they can get the most help.”
The Study Tables programme not only provides peer tutoring support to students who need extra help but also offers valuable benefits to the tutors involved.
“Tutoring has helped me strengthen my communication, patience, and problem-solving skills,” says Vanderkooy. “It’s also been a great way to give back to the school community.”
Liu adds, “Being a tutor has benefitted me by strengthening my own understanding of the subjects I teach. Explaining concepts to others reinforces my knowledge and helps me view problems from different perspectives.”
While still considered a new programme at SMCS, McDonald and Erin Hogan, LEC learning strategist and fellow staff moderator, are looking to build more awareness of this model for support.
“Right now, we have a good number of tutors available on various days throughout the week,” says McDonald. “However, exposure to this new programme is most important. Letting students know that this resource is available will increase attendance and therefore the frequency.”
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