By Manaia Hurunui and Anthony Thurlow | Posted: Wednesday March 23, 2022
Our Peer Support group has been having fun getting to know each other and supporting each other in their learning this term.
Peer Support is a group with Year 7's and 8's. The Year 8 leaders are paired up with Year 7 to help and guide them throughout the year. Every Tuesday the group comes together and does activities, such as cooking, team building and sports. The Year 8's also go into their buddies classroom room once a week to support them with their learning.
We asked Kiera Van Steeg and Daniel Wordsworth who are Year 8 leaders in the programme and Mr Foster, the teacher in charge, some questions about peer support.
Keira Van Steeg
What is your favourite part of peer support?
Helping the Year 7's when they need it and just doing fun activities with them.
Has your buddy made improvements this term?
Yes, her writing skills have improved since I have helped her and she is starting to ask for help when she needs it.
Do you think that the peer support group was a good idea and why?
I think peer support was a great idea because we can help Year 7's with their work and we can spend time with them and do fun activities with them as well.
Daniel Wordsworth
What is your favourite part of peer support?
Making pizzas and helping my buddy Brayden with his school work.
Has your buddy made improvements this term?
Yes, his maths have improved by a lot and probably his social skills.
Do you think that the peer support group was a good idea and why?
Yes I think it's a brilliant to bring the Year 7's and 8's together.
Mr Foster
What was the purpose of peer support?
The purpose of the Peer Support Programme is to give some of our Year 8 students who demonstrate leadership potential the opportunity to work with Year 7 students who may need some support and guidance at school.
Do you think the Year 8’s have been successful for helping their buddy?
The Year 8’s have been amazing, they have really stepped up and taken the role very seriously. I have been so impressed with the way they work and interact with their buddy. Year 8’s have been planning lessons and activities to help their buddy with their learning and it has been great to see them checking on them in the playground.
Manaia Hurunui and Anthony Thurlow - Room 6