Like many other kura around the country, Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College participates in a Peer Support programme. Our senior volunteers work in small groups with a tutor class during the Orientation programme and then during Wednesday tutor times throughout the first term.
Peer Support fits really well into the tuakana-taina focus of the College values, and it’s always a pleasure to see the confidence and connections building as the Peer Support leaders help our new students settle into the routines and culture of the kura. In fact, many of our leaders spoke at our leadership camp in Hanmer Springs about looking up to their own Peer Support leaders as beginning students, and that they had looked forward to the opportunity to give back in the same way:
Hi, my name is Ellie, and I decided to become a peer support leader this year because I wanted to help others transition into high school. Peer support camp was so much fun and I got to meet and make friends with a bunch of really cool people who normally I wouldn't talk to. It also pushed me way beyond my comfort zone in so many ways, whilst also teaching me valuable life skills on how to communicate and deal with others. Having been on camp and a peer support leader over the past few months, I have discovered a whole new side of me, a side that's stronger and more capable than I thought. And that is one of the messages that I want to pass down to the new students, as it’s lessons that I wish I had known when I was new to school. Ellie Morphet, Year 13
For year 12 students who are interested in Peer Support for 2024, please keep an eye out in Term 4 when we ask for volunteers.
A huge thank you to our Peer Support leaders for your time and efforts!
