Why develop a peer mediation program?
· Empowering our young leaders (Grade 6s) to develop their communication and conflict resolution skills.
· Building active problem solvers.
· Challenge our leaders to interact with younger students and foresee problems before they turn into physical or verbal aggression.
· Reduce the amount of students who feel rejected or withdrawn.
· To build skills to more effectively to deal with conflict resolution and dealing with differences in school life.
· Happier, more confident school environment.
· Students will be taking responsibility for their actions.
· Create a bank of evidence that problems are being more actively solved and increased decision-making is happening at a student level.
· Increase in self-esteem of student leaders and the children having the dispute.
· Inter year level socialisation increases.
· Teachers will spend less time disciplining students for often-minor offences.
What is the role of the Peer Mediator?
· Model open and honest communication
· Listen actively to feelings and words
· Think critically to assist with problem solving ideas
· Create a cooperative approach to problem solving, to the benefit of all students
· Assist students in taking responsibility for their thoughts and actions
· Explore needs and concerns
· Create a safe, non-threatening environment for the exchange
· Steer the process in the right direction with astute questioning
· Identify common ground
· Facilitate negotiation
· Empower students to resolve their own problems
What skills will the Peer Mediators develop and use?
· Facilitate conflict resolving in a non-judgemental manner
· Support all parties equally
· Develop trust within the school community
· Outline clear rules of mediation
· Explain the process fully
· Gain agreement from all parties involved
· Take charge and lead the mediation
· Help the students involved hear and listen to each other effectively
· Direct students to stay on track
· Actively listen, question and summarise
· Lead the students to an understanding of both sides of the dispute
· Identify common ground
· Map core issues
· Brainstorm
· Complete documentation for school based data collection
· Encourage students to take responsibility for their own problem solving
What conflicts will the Peer Mediators be helping with?
· Gossip and rumours
· Name calling
· Dirty looks
· Arguments
· Territorial disputes
· Invasion of privacy
· Sharing
· Game disputes
© Brisbane Catholic Education, St Kevin’s School (2023)