Peer to Peer!

Ana Clara

Year 10

Many Year 10 students are involved in the Peer Support Program, which is all about helping the younger year levels feel connected, supported, and confident as they move through school. The program gives us a chance to be positive role models, and to develop our own leadership skills along the way.

Recently, a group of us had the opportunity to go on a leadership excursion at Oxygen Youth in Merri-bek to prepare for this role. It was a really valuable and eye-opening experience.

We began the day with leadership games that pushed us to work as a team, solve problems, and step outside our comfort zones. These activities showed us how important it is to communicate clearly and to support each other. 

One of the highlights was visiting and having lunch with a group of Italian seniors in the local community. It was inspiring to connect with them, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences. That reminded us that leadership isn’t just about speaking up – it’s also about listening and building meaningful connections.

We also worked on practical skills like public speaking, which gave us a huge confidence boost. For many of us, standing up in front of others can be daunting, but we left the day with strategies to communicate with more clarity and confidence.

All of these experiences came together today, when we had the chance to run the R U OK? Day block session and Anti Bullying Campaign Be Bold, Be Kind & Speak Up for Bullying Way Week here at school. It was a great opportunity to put what we’d learnt into practice – whether that was leading activities, encouraging teamwork, or creating a safe space for honest conversations. It really showed us the impact peer support can have in our school community.

Overall, the excursion and today’s event have given us the chance to step up as leaders, support others, and create connections that make our school a stronger, more positive place. For the upcoming Year 10s – I’d definitely encourage you to get involved in the Peer Support Program. It’s fun, rewarding, and it gives you skills and memories that will stay with you long after this year.