Peer Supporters to Yr9s

LEAN ON ME: Year 13 Wairarapa College Peer Supporters, from left, Matt Howard, 17, and Tayla Carson-Butler, 17, practise one of the activities they will use with Year 9 students this year, as fellow Year 13 student Caitlin McNeill, 16, looks on. PHOTO /SUPPLIED

The new school year has generated novel leadership roles for Wairarapa College Year 13 students as Peer Supporters.

On Thursday Year 13 students at the school underwent training to become Peer Supporters for their Year 9 counterparts.

The leadership roles are voluntary and involve Peer Supporters working with small groups of Year 9 students in group classes.

Deanne Littlejohn, Wairarapa College guidance counsellor, and Pam Evans, resources learning and behaviour (RTLB), will co-ordinate training with support from senior managers and deans at the school.

Training includes Year 13 students sharing their personal experiences of life in Year 9, learning to motivate and inspire younger students, and practising Peer Support activities and group discussion.

Mrs Littlejohn said once the Year 13s completed training they then self manage the programme and have responsibility for organising meetings with their Year 9 group.

"It is a really good leadership opportunity for all year 13s to show and improve their skills," she said.

"It also helps to build relationships throughout the school."