Gordon Parrish, Principal at Robertson Public School in regional NSW, highlights the importance of student leadership and how a peer-led approach is helping develop this vital skillset in students at his school. Wolfie, a Peer Leader, talks about how he helps program participants. Ruby, a Year 3 Participant, shares the reasons she wants to be Peer Leader.
Gordon Parrish, Principal: My name’s Gordon Parrish. I’m Principal at Robertson Public School. I think it’s really important that every child gets an opportunity to be a school leader. As they go through the Peer Support Program you see it coming out in the individuals. They show strong leadership skills. It’s great to watch their self-discovery of the skills that they perhaps didn’t really know they had either – and the strengths that they might have had – and being able then to reflect on what they do each week. It helps them building capacity as a leader and as individuals as well, I think. They learn more about one another. They learn more about how to manage others, and how to conduct a class, so to speak, or an activity.
Wolfie, Peer Leader: My name’s Wolfie and I’m in Year 6. The skills I’ve been learning from being a Peer Leader are how to be a leader in general. I help keep them focussed. I help, you know, I help them to understand emotions and feelings – like their curiosity and emotions. And so, they learn how to deal with those emotions better, and what they are.
Before I was a Peer Leader, I wasn’t very confident about doing it. I’ve learned that it’s actually really fun.
Carmel Coles, Year 6 teacher: Many of our students have surprised us with this and stepping up into the role of – especially our ones that are not our school captains and our school leaders. So it’s been a really great opportunity for them to step up and be a Peer Leader and actually show that they can demonstrate those leadership skills, I suppose so, most definitely.
Well, one person in particular, is very quiet within the whole classroom setting. So when there’s a class of 30, doesn’t often speak in front of the peers, doesn’t necessarily join in with whole class discussions and being a Peer Leader she’s had to step up and do that. And it’s been really great to see.
Ruby, Peer Support Participant: My name’s Ruby and I’m in Year 3. Peer Support has made me feel confident because whenever I learn something new, I go straight home and practise it in my room. When I remember this Year 6 leader, I want to be in the Peer Support and be one of the Peer Support captains. I would be excited for being a Peer Support Leader.
