From the SRC

Enhancing Peer Support in 2025

As the 2025 Wellbeing Captain, I am thrilled to announce significant improvements to our Peer Support Program. Over the last two terms, I have been working with the leadership team to brainstorm improvements for the program. This past term, we have focused on empowering our new peer leaders with essential skills through a series of workshops. These sessions have been instrumental in equipping our new peer leaders with the ability to develop leadership skills, understand the fundamentals of guiding peers effectively, and foster teamwork by emphasising the importance of collaboration and unity. Our leaders have learned to interpret body language; to recognise and interpret the body language of younger students and to better understand their feelings and needs. Moreover, they have explored how emotions such as stress and anxiety can have physical impacts on the body and have acquired strategies to manage these feelings themselves, emphasising the significance of self-care when supporting others. As Ms Haworth told us, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

The leadership and wellbeing teams have been integral in aiding these new leaders to develop these skills. Their guidance and support have provided a solid foundation for our leaders, offering hands-on training and real-life scenarios to practice and hone their abilities. The teams’ commitment to fostering a supportive environment and a strong sense of community, has ensured that each leader feels confident and prepared to take on their roles with empathy and understanding. This collaborative effort has created a robust framework that not only trains our leaders but also continuously supports their growth and development, as well as the continuous improvement of the Peer Support Program.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication, empathy, and growth that our leaders have shown throughout this training. They have not only learned how to be effective leaders but also how to take care of their own wellbeing, which is crucial when helping others. Their hard work and passion have been inspiring, and I look forward to seeing them in action in 2025. Together, with the support of the Wellbeing Team, we will continue to build a supportive and caring school community with the help of the Peer Support Program.

Good luck to our new leaders! I am eager to see the positive impact you will have on our incoming Year 7s.

Baylee Chynoweth

Wellbeing Captain 2025