latest news

wa curriculum council endorses the Peer Support Program

The Government of WA Curriculum Council has advised Peer Support Australia of its decision to endorse the Peer Support Program from 2010. From 2010, students completing the Peer Support Program in the role of Peer Leaders can count this experience towards their senior secondary graduation certificate (WACE). Further information will soon be available on the Curriculum Council website or you can contact Col Harrison at Peer Support Australia on 02 9905 3499 or

position filled!

Peer Support Australia is currently seeking a Training and Development Consultant. You will have the desire to positively influence the mental health and wellbeing of school students and at least 5 years teaching experience in NSW schools. You will be responsible for training and support for districts throughout metropolitan Sydney and rural districts in the South and South West of the state. Some overnight travel will be required. For further details follow this link: Job application or contact Ms Sam Chadwick, the Training and Development Manager, either by email () or by phone (02 9905 3499).

new primary module focusing on optimism

Living Positively - a module which focuses on optimism Peer Support Australia has developed an 8 session module which focuses on providing a framework for students to learn about optimism with an emphasis on skills including positive self talk and resilience. Students learn to approach life with a positive attitude, use their strengths, engage in enjoyable activities and show gratitude to others. Living Positively seeks to provide opportunities for students to identify which areas of life represent personal strengths and how they can feel happier and more fulfilled by taking advantage of these strengths. Three important strengths focused on throughout the module are curiosity, kindness and teamwork. Students will work with a model to assist them in developing the skills of optimism. I laugh - activities I enjoy I live - using my strengths I love - showing appreciation to others Key skills developed in this module include resilience, coping, critical thinking and planning. Until 30 September 2009, this module is available to member schools at the special introductory price of $60 + GST + postage. Click here to see the flyer for Living Positively.

NSWIT Endorsed provider

Peer Support Australia has been endorsed as a provider of continuing professional development by the NSW Institute of Teachers. Following the successful completion of the accreditation process the NSWIT has endorsed Peer Support Australia as a provider of the following professional development training: Implementation workshop – a workshop for teachers wanting to coordinate and implement an effective Peer Support Program in their school. Positive Direction in Anti-Bullying workshop – a workshop for teachers wishing to examine a whole school approach to the issue of bullying behaviours in schools. SRC Leadership Teacher Training workshop – a workshop for teachers coordinating or mentoring the Student Representative Council in their school. Attendance at one of our workshops will contribute towards the mandatory professional development hours required for teachers. For more information contact a Training and Development Consultant or the NSW IT directly. Teachers attending future workshops will be requested for their NSWIT accreditation number to assist with this process.

new promotional DVD

Peer Support Australia, with the financial support of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing and under the expert guidance of the coup production team, has produced a series of videos about the Peer Support Program for training and awareness raising purposes. Teachers, students, philanthropists and community members from three states came together to provide reflections and testimonials about their experience with the Peer Support Program. 6 videos were produced, focusing on either: Primary students and the Peer Support Program Primary teachers and the implementation of the Peer Support Program Secondary students and the Peer Support Program Secondary teachers and the implementation of the Peer Support Program Information for Sponsors of the Peer Support Program Mitchell McBurnie – A Peer leader testimonial The 6 videos are available on a single DVD or via YouTube.com and will soon be accessible from this website. For complimentary copy of the DVD, please contact your Training and Development Consultant.

extra workshop for Perth schools

Peer Support Program implementation training for teachers May 21 2009 Peer Support Australia are offering an additional workshop for schools which missed out on the ones held in February. The workshop provides the knowledge and skills necessary to implement and coordinate an effective Peer Support Program in your school. Student leadership training notes are included and you will have the opportunity to view the various modules available for either Primary and Secondary students. For more information click here. To register for this workshop, click here.

new policy benefits members of peer support australia

Members only for training and resources At a recent meeting of the Board of Peer Support Australia a resolution was passed to limit the purchasing of training and resources to schools which are affiliate members of our organisation. Peer Support Australia is currently undergoing administrative changes which will affect our back office procedures and streamline many of our processes. To enable a smoother transition to the new system, schools will now be required to become members of Peer Support Australia in order to book training and purchase resources, including modules, certificates, badges and rulers. Schools will also need to become members if you wish to book a Training and Development Consultant for an awareness raising sessions for your staff, students or parents. Additional member benefits will become available during the course of the year to ensure schools make the most of their membership. This change will be effective immediately. Annual Membership is $100 + GST. There is a $20 + GST joining fee.

a coup for peer support australia

Thanks to all schools and individuals who helped us with our DVD, made possible by funding received from the Australian Department of Health and Ageing. Peer Support Australia is in the process of updating our promotional video material under the capable direction of David McCubbin and the team from coup. During the past few days, coup have interviewed primary and secondary students, teachers, philanthropists, interstate ambassadors and government officials as well as recording hours of footage from our implementation workshop and the student leadership training. The schedule has been both exciting and exhausting and Peer Support Australia wanted to publicly record our thanks to all who have assisted us so far. Ms Toula Magoutas and the students from Bonnyrigg High School Ms Judy Evans, Ms Michelle Demirel and the students from Strathfield North Public School Participants at the Penrith Implementation workshop Ms Margaret Amore, Thomas Hassall Anglican College Mr Paul Bullen, Researcher, Management Alternatives Mr Brett Halter, Rockhampton CEC Mr Tim May, Kinross Wolaroi School Mr Anthony McAteer, Clancy Catholic College Mr Chris Moreland, past Peer Support leader Mr Mick Regan, Mayor, Warringah Council Mr Tony Rose, St John Vianney PS, Doonside Mr Anthony Ryan, Principal, Townsville Central State School Mr Greg Sawyer, Assistant Principal, Rose Bay HS, Lindisfarne Mr Wal Simpson, Purves Foundation Ms Sally Till, Berowra Public School Mrs Lorraine Walker, NSW CEC Mr Brian Wilson, Teen Spirit

WA implementation workshops a great success

26 Schools, 55 staff trained in 4 workshops across WA Peer Support Australia received funding from the Department of Health and Ageing to conduct Peer Support workshops in the Kimberley in 2009. After gaining expressions of interest from schools across Western Australia, 4 workshops were scheduled for February, 2009. 9 staff from 5 schools attended the workshop in Bunbury on 12 Feb. 19 staff from 11 schools attended the workshop in Perth on 13 Feb. 11 staff from 5 schools attended the workshop in Kununurra on 16 Feb. 16 staff from 5 schools attended the workshop in Broome on 19 Feb. The feedback from these workshops was very positive and Peer Support Australia is looking forward to building on these relationships to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the youth of WA. Many of the schools trained are looking to move into the implementation phase within the next 12 months. We will also establish research links with schools and intend to report further on the outcomes of this research in the coming months. We would like to thank Susan Edgar and Patton Jones who welcomed us to Broome and Kununurra on behalf of the traditional owners of the land, the Yawru people and the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. We would also like to thank Lesley Hearn at Bunbury CEO, Wilson McNeill at Perth CEO, Megan Bauld at the Kununurra Country Club and Carol Geurts at Broome CEO for organising the venues and catering for us. Your assistance helped our days to run very smoothly. Thank you.

overwhelming response from WA and NT schools to pilot offer

What a fantastic response! Peer Support Australia received funding from the Department of Health and Ageing to conduct Peer Support workshops in the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. As a result we wrote to all schools offering them the chance to take part in a free pilot of the Peer Support Program. The response has been overwhelming. 90 WA schools from around the state as well as 21 NT schools have registered to take part in the pilot. As this number greatly exceeds the number of schools we can train, some schools have had to be placed on a waiting list. Workshops have been planned for Bunbury (12 Feb), Perth (13 Feb), Kununurra (16 Feb) and Broome (19 Feb) and in Alice Springs (24 Mar) and Darwin (26 Mar and 27 Mar) in 2009. We are encouraging all schools who have missed out on the first round to send a letter to Peer Support Australia outlining the reasons why you believe the Peer Support Program will benefit your students and school community. We will collate the letters to help us build a case for additional funding in order to meet the demand. Peer Support Australia has sent letters to all schools which applied to be part of the pilot program.

congratulations to the successful schools

THANK YOU to all schools who have assisted us with our survey! Peer Support Australia, under the guidance of our researcher, has been conducting an audit of the Peer Support Program throughout NSW, ACT, Queensland and Tasmania. Surveys were sent to all school Principals or Peer Support Coordinators. As a thank you to the staff who responded, 6 schools were selected at random to receive a complimentary module. The successful schools were St Therese's Primary School, Padstow, (Keeping Friends), Goulburn High School,(Behaving with Integrity), James Erskine Public School,(Keeping Friends), St Patrick's College, Gympie,(Behaving with Integrity), St Michael's Primary School, Meadowbank (Keeping Friends)and St Bernard's Primary School Batehaven (Being Positive). Findings from this research are still in the preliminary stages and will be reported on this website SOON. The responses have contributed to the ongoing development of an evaluation tool for schools to use as a measure of the efficacy of the Peer Support Program for their students. The tools should be available to schools early in 2009.

peer support program pilots in northern territory and kimberley

Opportunity to participate in Peer Support Program pilot, Term 1, 2009! Peer Support Australia has received funding from the Department of Health and Ageing to conduct Peer Support workshops in the Northern Territory, probably Darwin and the Kimberley. This follows the successful current expansion of the Peer Support Program into Queensland and Tasmania. We are seeking schools in these areas to take part in a free pilot. The tentative date is March, 2009. If interested please click here to register your school

new website

Welcome to our new website! Our website is still developing and we will be adding additional functionality over the next 6 months, including access to a member’s section. Other new or improved features include: A simpler registration process for upcoming workshops Ability to order Peer Support Program modules and other resources directly online Easier downloading of information about the Peer Support Program, various workshops and individual modules Membership and sponsorship links Opportunities to register your interest in trialling or reviewing new modules We trust our new website will better meet the needs of staff in our schools. Once you have explored the new website, you might like to provide some feedback. Click here to leave feedback

free information session

WHAT’S NEW ABOUT THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM? COME TO A FREE 2 HOUR INFORMATION SESSION IN HOBART AND FIND OUT Peer Support Australia invites you and/or a member of staff to a FREE information session on 2 July in Hobart. This 2 hour session will provide information for schools considering introducing, or updating, their Peer Support Program and provide the opportunity to ask questions and hear from schools currently implementing the Program. The Peer Support Program now operates in both primary and secondary schools and since 2007 over 40 Tasmanian schools have trained in this exciting new initiative. Peer Support Australia has secured funding to support schools in Tasmania to implement the Peer Support Program. Many schools are currently running a version of Peer Support however no training has been available for many years and as a result schools may be using outdated materials. Current modules are 8 sessions in length and focus on one of the following areas: relationships, optimism, resilience, values or anti-bullying. Click here to make a booking

new module

Keeping Friends is an 8 session module focusing on relationships. The module supports young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to maintain friendships and interact with one another in a friendly and positive way. Students learn how to play fairly, accept that friendships change, support each other and acknowledge they may have a variety of friends. The cost of our Keeping Friends module is $70 + GST + postage for member schools. Keeping Friends supersedes the previous relationship module, Building Connections. Click here for more information, including how to order this module