Over 400 students, mentors, parents and teachers gathered together on Tuesday evening, for the ORT JUMP Mentoring Programme Graduation.

The Year 12 students, from a cohort of 450 mentees, celebrated the culmination of the programme having received 1:1 career-related guidance from a mentor throughout the academic year.

Mentee Dylan Newfield and his mentor Mark Summerfield, addressed the audience, sharing their experiences on the programme and the impact of mentoring.

Dylan said that having complete the programme, he now had “a clearer sense of direction — and, more importantly, the confidence to go after what I want. It took me from feeling unsure and overwhelmed to feeling informed, supported, and genuinely excited for what’s ahead.”

While Mark told guests, “ORT JUMP is more than just a programme. It’s a bridge between generations — between experience and aspiration, between questions and clarity. It’s been a privilege to walk that bridge with so many talented young people over the years.”

The special guest speaker was presenter and sports broadcaster, Talia Lazarus, who shared her career journey and the reasons behind her motivation for taking risks and seizing opportunities. She was interviewed by ORT JUMP alumni, mentor, author and podcaster, Gabriella Jessup. Both were hugely inspirational for the students in the room, who were keen to ask questions following the discussion.

Finally we heard from Hilary Tait from Sainte Union School, who reminded our students of how much they’d achieved already and how the ORT JUMP Mentoring Programme will impact their future.

Each mentee had submitted a creative piece about their ORT JUMP experience and the winners were announced during the evening. Congratulations to Ruby, Hannah, Sam, Jodie, Samuel and our ‘School of the Year’ – Yavneh College!

It was an absolutely wonderful evening full of joy, hope and promise for the future. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us. We wish you every success on your career journeys!