Peer Support

Term 1 Review

Assisting the Year 7's

Throughout this semester we have observed a positive growth with the relationships between the Years 7's with one another and also with the Year 10's. When we are out in the yard, they aren’t afraid to come up to us to say hi or ask questions and this shows we have helped with their transition into high school by being a familiar face and someone they are comfortable to talk to. We’ve also watched them as they become familiar with their peers and develop strong friendship bonds. We are incredibly proud of how far they’ve come in such a short amount of time, and we can’t wait to see their further progress to be made in the upcoming term. 

Charlee and Ella

We have assisted the Year 7's this term by helping them get used to high school and making new friends by running activities so they can fit into the high school environment. 

Josh R. and Josh W.

Activities this term

This term in Peer Support we have facilitated a boost lesson, leadership lesson and joined them in an e-safety lesson. We also went along to camp and completed lots of fun activities at school, including a scavenger hunt all around the school to help learn where things are. Some of the activities my group has really enjoyed are cookie face, making stress balls, line tag on the basketball court and the whole cohort dodgeball game. 

Travis and Austin  

Highlights

The biggest highlight for me was going to Philip Island to visit the Year 7's on Camp. Getting the opportunity to do activities that I missed out on three years ago was incredible. When it was our turn to run activities, everyone gave it a go and didn’t let the heat ruin the mood. It was a very fun afternoon for both Year 7's and the Year 10's.

Charlie 

A personal highlight from our first term of Peer Support would definitely have to be watching the Year 7’s become more comfortable with us all. We have been able to build strong relationships with them that make our classes together more fun. The classes are enjoyable because we are all able to have a laugh at the right times and give feedback to one another about activities and games we play. Having built relationships with the Year 7’s is also very beneficial for them because they know we offer support, so if they ever need help, we are there.

Isabella

My highlight from this semester is attending the Year 7 Camp, because on the ride to Phillip Island and back we were able to chat and have a fun time with our friends and peers. It was a great opportunity to meet all of the Year 7 students,  not just the ones in our Peer Support class, and being able to find out their interests and things about them.  We had  much fun running all different sorts of activities and games with our peers and all the Year 7's and just having a good laugh. We were able to go to the park right in front of the beach with our friends and enjoy the sun and just take a break before we headed back home.

Kiara D.

Skills we have developed:

This term the Year 10's have developed confidence when talking to the Year 7's and other Year 10's. We have also developed teamwork skills, including effective communication with the other Year 10's, with the planning and reflecting of sessions.   Some skills we are hoping to develop next term are picking up on and managing different behaviours of the Year 7's, and to learn more about them.

Chelsea and Emma

At the start of term when we would enter the classroom, the Year 7's were very quiet and a bit shy as they didn’t really understand what Peer Support was. However, after a few weeks they grew more attached to us, and every time we entered the classroom they were very up and about and excited to do the activities we had for them. They would also never hesitate to say hi and ask us how we are going. We have gained stronger connections and relationships with them and they are always smiling and bubbly, and excited to find out what we had planned with them each lesson. 

Taylah and Haylee

Challenges:

Throughout this term we have come across some challenges, one of the most challenging things is getting and maintaining the Year 7 students' attention. To deal with this we have learnt that we may have to communicate with the Year 7's and see what they would like to do more of.  Another thing was controlling some of the behaviours in the classroom. Some of the strategies we have used don’t work for every student so going into next term we will think of more.  Overall we have had a great start and can’t wait for next term.

Tilly and Keilee