Peer Support Program Nurtures Strong Connections

Mercy Light: Connecting

When Angelique and Sienna, two Year 10 Peer Support Leaders, greet a room of their younger peers before commencing their second Peer Support session, they do so with a presence of ease and warmth that would convince any observer they’ve been doing this for years.

What makes for an excellent Peer Support Leader? According to Angelique, it’s all about, “empathy, trust-building, resilience, kindness and being a good listener.”

It is also clear that she and Sienna are highly organised; a three-page document clearly details what’s instore for the 12 eager Year 7s under their instruction during this session. Confident with their materials, Angelique and Sienna are able to deftly weave communication, learning, activity and lots of fun into their 45 minute Peer Support block, which, this particular week, has a focus on ‘Overcoming Challenges and Change’.

For more than 20 years, the Peer Support Program at SAC has provided students in junior and senior secondary years with avenues to establish connections and learn from one another. Year 7 students are guided by Year 10 students – most of whom were themselves Year 7 participants – through this 10-week program.

“Peer Support fosters the mental, social and physical wellbeing of young people,” explains Year 10 Coordinator, Ms Julie Barletta.

“Having applied for and been selected in their role as a Peer Support Leader, and then participated in a training workshop, Year 10s, with support from a teacher, prepare each of the weekly Peer Support sessions. These cover topics such as cooperation, emotions and feelings, relationships and friendships, group dynamics, problem solving and self-esteem,” Ms Barletta adds.

For Angelique, applying to be a leader in the program when she reached Year 10 was an anticipated milestone. “In Year 7, I thought that the program was really cool, and that I wanted to lead one day – so I’ve been excited for this ever since then. I really enjoy working with people and was happy to share some of the things I’ve learned since Year 7 with students who are currently going through it. Everyone has slightly different experiences, so it helps me to develop empathy, too,” Angelique shares.

A key benefit of the program for both Year 7s and Year 10s is engaging in meaningful conversations and having fun with students they may not necessarily interact with in class.

“The 12 Year 7 students are from different classes, and I can remember when I was in Year 7, some new friendships began and I was able to reconnect with old friends too. I can remember saying ‘hi’ to my Year 10 Peer Support Leaders in the school yard outside of the sessions, and that continued even after the program. It was nice knowing there were older students around who cared about you,” she explains.

Research into peer-led programs of this kind suggests favourable outcomes for all, with, “more than two-thirds of program participants reporting greater feelings of acceptance and inclusion”, while, “89% of leaders reporting greater confidence and personal growth.” (Peer Support – Build student wellbeing at your school)

Gianna, a Year 7 participant in Angelique and Sienna’s group, agrees, and says that, “I like how supportive and kind the leaders are, and how open they are to just listening to what you say. They are there for you, which is really nice. They’ve gone through a lot of this stuff that we are experiencing too, the big changes in high school, and it just makes it easier to connect with them. The program lifts our confidence, the leaders reassure us to be ourselves.”

With a number of sessions still to look forward to before the program concludes its 2025 run, one thing is certain: that, be it through ongoing interactions across one of the College’s many co-curricular activities, or through incidental passings around campus, a basis of genuine care and kind familiarity has developed between Year 10s and Year 7s. This experience secures foundations for a strong community, where students are mutually empowered by lifting each other.

Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team

Peer Support Program Nurtures Strong Connections