Each year a group of Year 13 boys put their names forward to take up the role of a Peer Support Leader to help the new Year 9 boys transition into High School life

The leaders undergo multiple training sessions before the school year commences in preparation for this role, including a four day training camp at the end of January, held at the head of Lake Tekapo at John Scott Lodge. This training camp involves a variety of activities suitable for the intake of Year 9 students that will assist in creating strong friendships within their new classes and help them feel more comfortable in their new school environment. The boys always enjoy their time at the Lodge and find that the more they get involved, the better the experience once school commences. Leaders are divided into groups of 4-5 students and assigned to a Year 9 class and over the term we will get to know the class by sharing in fun activities whilst also focussing on the social/emotional development of our young men. The Year 9 Camp is the summit of the Peer Support Programme and is often where the leaders develop the strong relationship with the boys that they treasure for the rest of the year and is ultimately what the Peer Support programme aims to achieve. 

Reflection by Mr Bunting (Guidance Counsellor, Peer Support Programme Leader)

In 2016, the death of our student, Jordan McKeown was felt by all as a sad loss. But it was at this time I was reminded of the strength of our Peer Support programme and humbled by the response of our 2015 leaders.

Although on study leave at that time, the leaders initiated a response by organising a group of Year 13 students to attend assembly organised for the junior school immediately following Jordan’s death, physically surrounding those juniors as an act of support. They hugged Year 9 friends in tears, visited each class and facilitated messages of condolence/memories/hope; an old scooter was prepped, painted and signed for Jordan’s family; they organised shifts to support these young ones until the funeral, which of course they attended in their own time. The maturity, the care, the decision to do this even for those who only knew Jordan slightly was truly memorable and proud tears can still be felt as I write this.

I have no doubt that the 2016 Peer Support Leaders will also leave a lasting, positive impact in your son’s life and reaffirm that we are fortunate indeed to have a team of wonderful leaders within Timaru Boys’ High School who are committed to building strong relationships and leading with integrity.