Peer Aquinas College

Purpose: To provide further support options for Year 7 – 10 students. To provide further support options for Year 7 – 10 students. To provide leadership opportunities for Year 12 & 13 students. To provide leadership opportunities for Year 12 & 13 students. To build on from the Peer Support training & leadership programme. To build on from the Peer Support training & leadership programme.

Some Benefits of Peer Mentoring: Younger students develop relationship with older students to whom they can go for support and assistance. Younger students develop relationship with older students to whom they can go for support and assistance. The development of leadership and communication skills in all students through their involvement with the programme. The development of leadership and communication skills in all students through their involvement with the programme. Service opportunity: To lead is to serve. Service opportunity: To lead is to serve. Developing closer links between senior and junior students. Developing closer links between senior and junior students.

The Role: Students may be asked to – Mentor a younger student on a 1 on 1 basis. Mentor a younger student on a 1 on 1 basis. Work as part of a small social support group. Work as part of a small social support group. Provide academic support Provide academic support Students will be asked to – Be a positive role model to younger students. Be a positive role model to younger students. Empower younger students to make positive choices in their lives and to enrich our school community. Empower younger students to make positive choices in their lives and to enrich our school community.

Flow-on effect… Year 13 students will act as leaders for the Year 12’s and will support me by organising meetings and supervision and assisting with follow-up workshops. This years Year 12 mentors will become next years leaders!

Mentoring a Younger Student may help with…. Isolation – settling in issues Isolation – settling in issues Peer or family relationships Peer or family relationships Anxiety Anxiety Respect & Resilience issues (bullying) Respect & Resilience issues (bullying) Inappropriate social behaviour Inappropriate social behaviour Support for behaviour change Support for behaviour change Learning difficulties Learning difficulties Special needs Special needs

The Training Year 12 & 13 students are eligible to present themselves for Peer Mentor training. Year 12 & 13 students are eligible to present themselves for Peer Mentor training. Training commitment Training commitment – 1 whole school day early in Term 3 - follow-up workshops (2 nd Break) Followed up by fortnightly meetings or supervision. Followed up by fortnightly meetings or supervision. NOTE: Provision is made for students to withdraw from the role of Peer Mentor if circumstances change and they feel they can no longer participate in the programme. NOTE: Provision is made for students to withdraw from the role of Peer Mentor if circumstances change and they feel they can no longer participate in the programme.

Key Qualities: Leads by example – a role model Leads by example – a role model Honesty & integrity Honesty & integrity Strong communication skills – listen, understand, question, clarify & give feedback Strong communication skills – listen, understand, question, clarify & give feedback Patience Patience Sound time management skills Sound time management skills Approachable, tolerant, flexible & open-minded Approachable, tolerant, flexible & open-minded Empathy & respect Empathy & respect Motivate and inspire Motivate and inspire

If you possess some of these qualities… and would like to develop them further…. You are eligible to apply to train as a Peer Mentor.

What’s in it for you? You will receive recognition for your service. It will look great on your CV. But above all, you will receive the reward and satisfaction of knowing that you have made a real difference in someone else’s life. Please consider the opportunity available to you to train as a Peer Mentor! To apply, complete an application form. Available from me, Reception or Applications should be either, ed to or posted to the Counsellor, C/- Aquinas College, by Thursday 5 th July Applicants will be notified of selection by 21/7/12.