One thing Hauraki Plains College has set out to do for all year-nine students is equip them with support from senior students.
Deputy Principal Alissa Place, who organises the school’s current Peer Support Programme, told The Profile the college had a “long tradition” of offering year 13 peer support to year 9 students.
It was a programme created by the late Trevor Benns, which continued in different iterations over the years, she said.
This year, Hauraki Plains year 13 students are engaged in The Peer Support Programme – Te Aka Tautoko Akonga, which offers secondary schools the opportunity to give students who are new to secondary school a structured start, led by senior students who are given leadership training.
“When students feel they belong, they feel the value of being a member of the Hauraki Plains community and can make the most of what the school has to offer,” she said.
The deputy principal was also the staff member who supported head student Cayden DeGraff, who is the leader of the peer support students.
“Cayden runs a Peer Support meeting every Friday, ensuring that each year 9 class participates in tasks and activities that foster whanaungatanga [creating a family connection] and a sense of belonging,” she said.
One student who valued the initiative was year 13 support leader Rhona McInnes.
The leader said the best part about being involved was creating new connections with younger students.
“It creates a sense of pride and fulfilment… I enjoy being someone that the younger students can look up to.”
The peer support leaders were there to help by being available to talk with year 9 students about things such as friendships, school work or even things they did over the weekend, she said.
“Some ways to help the younger students feel more confident and comfortable in school is to ensure that they know we are always there for them if they want to talk to us.”
Year 9 students Miller Stratford and Jessica Harvey said the initiative made it easier for them to build friendships. One quality both students said they looked for in a good peer support buddy was someone they could relate to.
But the young learners had goals for their Hauraki Plains College learning journeys.
Jessica said she wanted to get good grades and reports so she could get into university.
While Miller said he wanted to be in as many sports teams as possible because “sport is my passion”. Another thing Miller said he would like to do when he is a senior is help support year 9 students.
“I aspire to be a peer support leader.”
