The Peer Support Program is well-loved by schools across Australia. Here’s what some of our member schools have said about the program.
Starting high school
“The Peer Support Program has become part of our transition process for Year 7 students. We run it in Term 1 so the Year 7s have the familiar face of a senior student in their first term and year. A rewarding aspect of the program is having Year 7s come through and then become Peer Support Leaders in Year 11. It’s great seeing them excited to work on the program and give back to the Year 7s.”
Dan Sawade, Encounter Lutheran College (SA)
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“The Peer Support Program had a big impact on me, it helped me settle into life at Rose Bay High School and it gave me a group of people I could talk to if I was feeling stressed.”
Year 7 student, Rose Bay High School (TAS)
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“Peer Support at Bowral High School has been a great success in building positive relationships between our junior and senior students as well as helping to develop a sense of belonging among our Year 7 students. Our Peer Leaders have also used the skills they have learned this term by running taster sessions with our primary feeder school students as part of our Year 6-7 Transition Program. Both our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders and Year 7 are looking forward to the next module focusing on values.”
Andrew Hawker, Bowral High School (NSW)
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“To support transition, we have approximately fifty Year 9 and 10 students trained as Peer Leaders who run various events and parts of the transition program. This enables the primary school students to learn from experienced peers and have a consistent person to guide them through their transition to high school.”
Newsletter, Golden Grove High School (SA)
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“The program continues to go from strength to strength. The year 7s have responded very well to the program by building good relationships with Peer Leaders and appear a lot more settled and confident at school. Feedback from parents, staff and students alike is incredibly positive. Being a new school, we are focused on developing positive culture and know that this program is a huge step in the right direction.”
John Vandermark, Joseph Banks Secondary College (WA)
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“When I was in Grade 7 the Peer Leaders made me feel welcome to the school and comfortable. Now as a Peer Leader I enjoyed helping Grade 7s transition into High School and making them feel welcome.”
Grade 10 student, Rose Bay High School (TAS)
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“Each year and for many years now, the Margaret River Independent School facilitate The Peer Support program and it is amazing to see our year 6 students step up into the leadership space and challenge themselves. We regularly see year 6 students who aren’t natural leaders, thrive at supporting and leading their younger peers when given the opportunity. The Peer Support Program brings a lot of joy to our students, and is so effective at developing stronger connections, relationships and support structures across year levels in our school community.”
Mike Bezant, Margaret River Independent School (WA)
Supporting primary school students
“Our kids love the program and look forward to it each year, both as a participant and an expectant leader.”
Karen Luchetti, Tyalla Public School (NSW)
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“At Hassall Grove Public School, we have implemented the Peer Support Program for a number of years and found it to be a very effective program that helps create a positive school culture. The program helps develop student’s confidence and social skills in a supportive environment which enhances student wellbeing.”
Michelle Andrews, Hassall Grove Public School (NSW)
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“This year at Busby Public School, most of our Stage 3 students (Years 5 & 6) were very keen to participate in the Peer Support Program after having participated as group members last year. We had just a handful that were quite nervous at the idea of being a leader of a group of K-4 students. So much so that they would just listen to the other leaders and not participate. After a couple of weeks, these students began to participate more in the lessons, slowly gaining the confidence to speak and lead. It helped by having the students in their group come up to them in the playground and ask questions and if they could play with them. With the support of their class teachers and the Peer Support Coordinators, these leaders found the confidence to be in front of their peers, enjoying the opportunity to ‘teach’ the younger students on how to be resilient and who they can turn to when they have a problem they need help with. We are so very proud of the efforts our students have put in.”
School newsletter, Busby Public School (NSW)
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“Having been a leader of a Peer Support group in Senior High School and then a leader in a different capacity in primary schools that run Peer Support, I have seen the benefits of running such a quality program across the school. The staff at Darcy Road Public School are dedicated and passionate in supporting student wellbeing programs. They participated in Teacher Professional Learning giving them a clear overview of the programs model and how it works within a school highlighting benefits and the continued support that is offered from Peer Support Australia. This workshop enabled staff to ask questions, trial activities and build relationships with colleagues. The feedback from staff was positive and the model presented in a way as to spark interest for staff to know more. We are very excited to be implementing this program in our school.”
Amanda Dippenaar, Darcy Road Public School (NSW)
Developing student leaders
“The Peer Support Program helps develop the leadership skills of our Year 10s. They have a real opportunity to shine and develop their communication skills, whilst making the new Year 7 students feel comfortable. Using the Program has helped our students better understand their strengths.”
Brady Yates, Marist Regional College (TAS)