testimonials

Check out what young people, teachers and others shared with us:

• Research from the University of Western Sydney
• Comments from Year 4 & 5 students
• Staff from St Joseph’s High School, Port Macquarie Regional Campus
• Gillian Calvert, Commissioner for Children and Young People
• Meredith Tomkins, St John the Baptist Catholic School, Harbord
• Lloyd Munro, Myay Birray Youth Services, Moree
• Inspirational messages for young people

research from the university of western sydney

Louise Ellis from the UWS Self-Concept Enhancement and Learning Facilitation (SELF) Research Centre, has completed a three-year study into the effectiveness of a Peer Support Australia anti-bullying program. ..... Dr Ellis says the study not only identified the extent of bullying in our schools, but also measured the outcomes of the Peer Support Program on the students.

"The self-confidence of those taking part in the program increased significantly, as did their enjoyment of school, their relations with other peers and their perception of support from those around them. there were also positive benefits for cooperative teamwork and the students' academic self-concept."

"But most importantly," says Dr Ellis, "the Peer Support Program successfully changed attitudes to bullying."

After the program, far fewer students held pro-bullying attitudes (such as 'bullying makes the person tougher', or bullying is okay if others are doing it') and there was a significant increase in pro-victim attitudes (like 'bullying should be stopped' or those who are being bullied need assistance').

Dr Ellis said that the SELF Research Centre has found that these types of support programs can help prevent bullying at school.

"The research proves that these type of support programs definitely have measurable benefits for students. The positive results suggest the program is worthwhile, especially in changing the attitudes to bullying, which is one of the study's significant findings."

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children from years 4 & 5 comment on their experiences in peer support

"In Peer Support we learnt about safety, rights and wrongs. In the session there was a person skipping and he was getting hurt by the rope, he was very unhappy. We talked about how he felt and what he could do. The next time we met, our leaders asked us when we feel powerful. These were the answers we gave:

• feeling confident when you start a race
• when you’ve done something you feel proud of
• when you stick up for someone who did the right thing"
  

Kimberley, Year 4

"On Wednesday our school had our first Peer Support session. I am the co leader of group 13. My leader’s name is Emma. We started off by choosing the name of our group. Our name is the Tigers. Next we played a game. We had to sit on chairs and one person stood in the middle. The person had to call out something that they thought was fun. Then, all the people who thought that was fun had to stand up and find another chair and so on. Then we changed the game a little bit by saying what makes us feel safe at school. After that, I wrote down all of the ideas from the kids about what is fun, when they feel safe, when they feel liked and loved and also what the school can do to make us feel safe. I think Peer Support is fun this year."
Siobhan, 5P

"Today in Peer Support, we learnt it is wrong to bully others. We also talked about the meaning of fun, love, survival and power. We need all of these things to be happy."
Matthew, 5A

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the staff at st joseph’s high school, port macquarie regional campus talk about their experiences implementing the right choice - peer support australia’s anti-bullying module for secondary schools

"We have had a very successful year with Peer Support. This year we moved into a new phase of its development and it has proved to be a big success in achieving its aims. This year we focused on ‘bullying’ in the school and the results in the yard have been very encouraging. The level of violence and bullying which have become apparent to teachers seems to be on the decrease as we strive to make our school a safe and welcoming place for all who come here. We participated in a Bullying Awareness Raising session and, in our approach, focused on the following:

• Taking a ‘no blame’ approach
• Making the distinction between the person and their behaviour
• Understanding the consequences of our behaviour on others
• Developing empathy
• Supporting people to take responsibility for their behaviour and to make responsible choices
• Developing appropriate, non violent ways to meet needs
• Giving all parties involved in a bullying situation strategies to change it for the better including seeking help where necessary
• Recognising the difference between dobbing and reporting as a key element in breaking the ‘code of silence’ and empowering bystanders to make a difference
• Taking a whole school community approach which involves teachers. parents, students and supports students to take a key role in changing the situation

It was a great benefit to have staff training in dealing with bullying behaviours. It helped us to better support the Peer Support Leaders and the groups. By having Sam Chadwick, a Peer Support Australia Training Consultant, come to Port Macquarie and presenting the session to all staff there has been a very positive attitudinal shift in the whole staff approach to Peer Support.

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gillian calvert, commissioner for children and young people talks about how peer support australia supports the work of the commission

"Research has shown that children and young people who have strong connections with their school and family do better than those who have weak connections. The Peer Support Program provides a tremendous opportunity for young people to participate in their school community and build strong relationships with each other. The older students learn important communication, problem solving and leadership skills as they get to know the younger students. In turn, the younger students enjoy the support of a trusted older figure as they make the transition to high school. Peer Support Australia is to be commended for its excellent work in fostering healthy connections between young people and their schools."

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meredith tomkins of st john the baptist catholic school, harbord, reviews the peer support module, good citizens – the passport to our future, and talks about how peer support australia’s modules and structure supports other initiatives in the school

"Our school has been running the Good Citizens – the passport to our future Primary module for two terms now. "

Initially a staff member was trained by Peer Support Australia and, with the assistance of another teacher, facilitated the training of our Year 6 students to be group leaders. This training, the weekly leadership role involving cooperative group work and the briefing sessions as well as the refresher training times have been the focus for a major part of our Personal Development Program as well as assisting in the formation of our children as school leaders and independent learners.

A preparatory role for High School and for life! We have had very positive comments from our parent community acknowledging changes in the children’s behaviour that they have noticed or been told about by their own children. The children themselves, particularly the younger ones (K-2), are developing networks across the grades and this is evident in the playground and during whole school events. The staff have played a proactive role in the program and are supporting the Year 6 Group leaders by encouraging them and acknowledging their developing leadership skills.

We find that the structure recommended by Peer Support Australia provides a positive way for all the Year 6 children to be and be seen as leaders. It also provides a friendly grouping structure for other school events, such as our Mini Olympics day, Church Mass and liturgy celebrations. It is evident that the program is building bonds across the school, developing relationships and encouraging assertive behaviours that are strengthening our whole school community. We intend to develop these bonds and networks even further and to use them to tackle other issues that we have identified."

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lloyd munro, myay birray youth services, moree nsw, tells us why he thinks peer support programs support the kids in his area

"The Peer Support program gives support to the kids. It opens the door for them to look at issues, gives them the skills they need especially in the long term and for future family and community involvement. Peer Support can bring out the best that is in a kid. Peer Support Australia knows the issues and how to support kids to make the changes. The program isn’t a one hit experience but long term and ongoing. It is a real opportunity for community involvement ... which has to happen if things are to change."

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inspirational messages for young people

These messages were shared during the 2000 Croc Eisteddfod Festival in Moree.

"Be proud, Be strong, Stay true, Keep dreamin’."
Leah Purcell

"Dream of a future and strive to achieve it. Listen to the words of wisdom, they come from yourself, your family and your teachers."
A community member of Binnaway Central School

"Peace and wisdom"
Evonne Goolagong Cawley

"Look into your heart. There are good and great things there. You CAN use them to achieve anything you want."
Vince Paparo, General Manager, Moree Plains Shire Council

"You’re all so beautiful, special and unique ... Together you make a great tapestry. Look inside yourself, you are the future."
Adam Hollingworth

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