Mastering mathematics with mindful mentors

By Parth Sahjiawani & Quentin Wo

The RCHK Math Mentoring Club (MMC) has been one of the fastest-rising clubs over the past few years. Despite the assumption that the majority of students join only because math is difficult to grasp, many choose to challenge themselves and go above and beyond.

MMC takes a different approach to math than classrooms do, and as a result, mentees find the environment less stressful. Each session provides a calm space where mentors can guide mentees one-on-one. Mentors often provide additional resources that mentees sometimes struggle to find, and some go a step further by creating their own quizzes and tests.

Students attending the club gradually develop skills such as perseverance and self-confidence. For many, the biggest change is not just knowing how to solve a problem, but trusting they can do it themselves. Barry Chan ‘28, a Year 11 mentor, said: “The most rewarding part of helping other students in MMC is meeting like‑minded people.” Sirui Chen ‘28, another Year 11 mentor, explained, “Mentoring has benefited my own math skills, as preparing material forces me to organize my ideas clearly.” Both sides gain confidence and grow through the process.

From a mentee’s perspective, mentors make a big difference because they already know the material from past years. Given that students in Years 10 to 13 have experienced the MYP, they bring a personal touch from a student perspective that resonates with the mentees. Mentors also provide useful tips and tricks for younger students, such as memorization strategies and mathematical analogies. A Year 10 mentee, Samuel Xiong ‘28, shared, “MMC has helped me feel more confident in math, as collaborating with others taught me how to solve problems easily.” Colton Brousseau ‘29, a Year 9 mentee, added, “Knowing mentors once struggled with the same content makes me feel encouraged and more comfortable.”

Even teachers have praised the club for the way it connects students with a shared passion for math across all year levels. They notice how the sessions create intense discussion and encourage curiosity. Ms Bevan, one of the DP CAS supervisors, noted, “Peer mentoring is valuable, as it reinforces students’ understanding when they learn from people their own age.” Mr Chang, the club’s teacher supervisor, explained, “MMC impacts regular classes by giving students confidence and building a stronger community through relatability.” By connecting older and younger students, MMC shows that progress is not limited to a teacher’s instruction—it can also be obtained through peer learning.

With more and more math enthusiasts joining each term, the club hopes to expand further throughout the RCHK community. If you’re curious about becoming a mentor or mentee later this year, keep an eye out for announcements on how to join. With its growing popularity, MMC is set to inspire even more students in the future.