Every student knows how hard it is to go from simple activities like finger painting in Primary school, to the more stressful experiences of Middle School that include moving classes and exams. As Senior School staff and students we understand that it can be a rough transition and therefore have created the Peer Support Program to assist each new year seven group.
After completing the required training at the end of 2018, this year we emerged as the new Leaders and support group and commenced the Peer Support Program. For 40 minutes each week, our groups of 4 support leaders and an average of 12 students would gather and we could lead the year sevens in assigned activities. These activities were designed to not only be fun and a source of stress relief but to also teach the year sevens important life skills such as empathy and dealing with all kinds of unpredictable situations.
Some of these activities included responding to bad situations and learning that sometimes the best thing to do is just to listen and not say a word. This would be taught through modified charades and team building exercises which always resulted in cheers and laughter. Peer Support isn’t another class of work and stress; it is a class of fun and laughter. It is a reminder that life doesn’t always have to be difficult and stressful, sometimes you just have to sit back, relax and breathe.
Written by Christelle Robbetze – Peer Support Leader