The staff and students at Oxley Park Public School, in Sydney’s west, talk about the impact of the Peer Support Program in their primary school. Year 6 students support younger students from across the school.
David MacVean, Relieving Principal, Oxley Park Public School: My name is David MacVean and I’m the Relieving Principal here at Oxley Park Public School. As a large school, we were looking initially to try to find an evidence-based research program that would help the wellbeing of our kids. What I really liked about Peer Support Australia and the Program there was the fact that Peer Support Australia is a not-for-profit organisation, and they really had what we were looking for in terms of a student-led and a strong student strength-based approach.
Tom Roberts, Year 6 Teacher: So the Peer Support Program really does empower our Year 6 students. It really instils them with a sense of responsibility and pride within the school. And it really develops their communication skills. And they get the opportunity to lead kids from K to 6. And they really start to develop relationships and really start to care about other kids within the school.
Elisamae, Year 6 Peer Leader: What I love about Peer Support is being able to communicate with the kids and I love teaching the little kids how to make friends and not bully each other. I have the kids in my group… if they don’t know what to do, I help them and if they can’t write — sometimes my little kindergartner can’t write — so I just help them like by holding their hand and trying to trace it. Standing up in front of your Peer Support group definitely helps with public speaking, if you’re not like a confident person and you’re a shy person.
Fiona Flavell, Classroom Teacher: I guess what they take from the Peer Support Program is a whole bunch of values and skills such as empathy, listening skills, resilience, a big boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem, and a willingness to bounce back and have a go when faced with challenges. One of the really surprising outcomes I think we’ve seen is some kids that weren’t so willing to have a go will have a go when they’re with their peers and have that encouragement of the Peer Support Program. And also, just the Leaders you know – showing that control of a group situation, managing a group situation – it’s quite surprising to see them step up to that responsibility.
Lucas, Year 6 Peer Leader: My name’s Lucas, and I’m in Year 6. I’ve learned about being a Peer Leader that it feels like being like an older sibling, like I can teach them like how not be naughty and for them to like walk on the concrete so then they don’t get hurt. I think I’ve changed because now I feel like that I have bigger responsibilities now that I have to make sure that I’m doing the right thing so then if they see me, they can follow on.
Blake, Peer Support Participant: My name’s Blake, and (I’m) in Kindergarten. When the Woody song goes, I know it’s Peer Support time and then the Peer Leaders come pick you up from your class. So sometimes they help me to write my name, do some maths. Your Peer Support Leader, if you don’t know what to do, then just ask them. I have so much fun at Peer Support that like everything I do, makes me feel happier. Because it’s my like, my heart is feeling happy and then it’s like punctuation is like going around it.
Kiera Borg, Relieving Assistant Principal & Learning and Support Teacher: So as we know all students don’t learn the same, and at Oxley Park we have students with a wide range of needs. So what this program has done is it’s been able to tap into their strengths because you know, school’s not ‘one size fits all’. And this program has allowed us to see the benefits for these students and build their skills that they otherwise wouldn’t get in a regular classroom setting. They’re quite committed to their roles, and it’s helped with our attendance. Across the board we aim for at least 95% or more. But we have found that Peer Support and the enjoyment from all students across the school – not just our leaders, our students with additional needs – everyone, has made great boosts for that sort of camaraderie and wanting to come to school to be involved with that program.
Ruby, Year 6 Peer Leader: I love that I can make new friends that are younger than me and I love that I can be in a big group with lots of people that enjoy like spending time with other people. And I love teaching little kids so then they can grow up and be big like me. So then they can like, like teach the other kids like when they’re older. Sometimes I wave at them if they don’t see me first but if they see me first, they come up and give me a big hug. Like last year, I was a helper for Peer Support and one of my kindies, Ron Taylor; he still comes up to me and gives me a hug right now.
David MacVean, Relieving Principal, Oxley Park Public School: The Peer Support Program is exactly what our school needed. It covered all of our grades and all of our Stages. Peer Support has become one of our rock-solid foundational skills and programs that run we run here at our school. It empowers the kids. It builds the confidence in our kids to manage life and to manage the complexities of school life. I’ve seen many students at our school – when they’re having difficulties, when they’re having problems regulating their emotions – putting the skills of Peer Support into their everyday practice. And it’s just something that we really love here at our school.
Ruby, Year 6 Peer Leader: Everyone’s got a voice. No matter if you’re shy or outgoing, everyone’s got a voice.
