THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND “Peer culture.. has a significant influence on presence, engagement and achievement at school ….. Schools.. have a critical role in helping students to positively support each other and their decision-making.” Ka Hikitia 2008 Ministry of Education, page 23

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND Introduced into NZ 1982 A not-for-profit trust. Six district committees The focus of the programme is on training teachers to run the programme in their schools – 100 to 150 teachers trained each year

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND The programme is based on two manuals: A manual for student leaders outlining the various sessions which make up the programme A teachers’ manual

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND Survey 2005 90% of Years 7 to 13 and Years 9 to 13 secondary schools surveyed 63% of Years 7 to 13 schools replied. Of these 72% operated the programme. 58% of Years 9 to 13 schools replied. Of these 66% operated the programme. Hynes, Kathriona (2006) 20 years on… Evaluation of the Peer Support Programme in New Zealand Secondary Schools. Research prepared for the NZ Peer Support Trust, Biennial Conference July 2006

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND The Programme trains senior students (usually Year 12) to become peer support leaders. In their final year at school (Year 12 and/or Year 13) these peer support leaders then take responsibility for a group of new students arriving in the school as Year 9s.

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND Student leaders usually work in threes or fours, taking their group of Year 9 students through a programme during the first term. The programme is designed to build the self confidence of junior students and introduce them into the secondary school environment equipped with the necessary skills to make a confident start to their secondary schooling.

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND Getting to Know You Orientation to the School Building the group Communication Co-operation Self Awareness Cultural Awareness Values Expressing Feelings Friendship and Trust Peer Pressure Bullying Family relationships

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND Benefits for senior students: Leadership training The opportunity to put leadership skills into practice Group facilitation skills Communication skills Increased self awareness Increased confidence The opportunity to give service to the school Benefits for junior students The transition to a new school is eased Skills and experience in relating to others Increased understanding of themselves Skills which may help make friends A senior friend who can help bridge the gap between a junior student and teachers

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND Of the 32% of schools not offering peer support, the reasons given included: Lack of time Intrusion into the timetable Lack of motivated staff to run it Logistics of working with large numbers of students Hynes, Kathriona (2006) 20 years on… Evaluation of the Peer Support Programme in New Zealand Secondary Schools. Research prepared for the NZ Peer Support Trust, Biennial Conference July 2006

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND The Peer Support programme supports the vision of the NZC It links directly with the key competencies. The programme components link strongly with; Thinking Managing self Relating to others Participating and contributing

THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME NEW ZEALAND http://www.peersupport.org.nz