Peer Support A personal development course for New Zealand secondary school pupils

What is Peer Support?  The Peer Support Programme is a personal development programme for secondary students  Senior students are trained to take leadership roles  Younger student develop the confidence to interact with their peers in positive ways

Peer Support aims to:  Raise the self esteem and confidence of young people at a time when they may be vulnerable  Help young students develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to interact in positive ways  Build a network of personal support for young people in the school

Why offer Peer Support? Young students can feel vulnerable during the transition to secondary school. They need to:  build their confidence  Develop new relationships and a sense of belonging  Become familiar with demands of a new learning environment

Peer Support helps build a positive school environment by:  Developing students’ communication and relationship skills  Providing opportunities for students to learn about each other, their similarities and differences  Building relationships that help them through the transition to secondary school

The aims for Year 9 students: To help Year 9 students adapt to a new school environment by providing:  a safe environment where they can develop the skills to look after themselves and each other  Opportunities to relate to each other, establish friendships with their peers and senior students  Contact with senior students who can help them deal with issues during their first year a secondary school  Contact with positive role models

The aims for Senior Students: To develop facilitation, communication and leadership skills in senior students by providing:  a structure provides contact with younger students, allowing mentor and coaching relationships to develop  practical experience, resources and support to develop skills in communication, planning, facilitation, self management and management of groups  activities that explore the culture of groups and individuals, extending their talents and abilities  opportunities to accept responsibility, providing guidance and support to younger students  opportunities to play a full and active role within the school community

Aims for the School  teachers establish rapport with senior students  senior students gain an understanding and respect for the teachers role.  barriers between senior and junior students are broken down  there is a climate of respect for differences  the school environment becomes safer, more friendly and conductive to learning for all students

How does the programme work?  teachers who run the programme attend a two day training programme  peer support teachers train senior students to lead small groups of junior students  weekly peer support activities and discussions are scheduled as part of the school curriculum  activities include core topics

The core topics ► getting to know you ► self awareness ► orientation to the school ► values ► building the group ► cooperation ► understanding cultures ► bullying ► Peer pressure ► communication

How is Rotary involved?  Programme introduced by Rotary in 1985  Rotary persuaded, encouraged, gained financial support  Peer Support Trust sponsored by Rotary  Trust works through district committees, that link with schools and Rotary Clubs  In 74% of secondary schools  8,000 senior students trained in leadership annually

How can your club assist?  Assist schools in the programme with funding  Arrange a speaker to explain the programme to schools who are not involved in the programme  Invite the Peer Support Coordinator to explain the programme to your club  Invite businesses to sponsor funds  Publicise Peer Support programme