Training some of the students in the senior syndicate to operate as peer mediators in the playground during interval and lunch breaks, has been a part of Eltham School’s commitment to fostering student responsibility and building a more supportive and caring culture within the school community, for several years. The mediators this year have been year 6 and some year 7 students. These students have been working as mediators in the playground, assisting the duty teachers to ensure that our children are interacting in a happy and responsible manner. They help children who do have difficulties, to work them out through talking and resolving conflict without resorting to physical means, and if there are problems that they cannot resolve, they report these to the duty teacher.
Being a mediator takes commitment and some of our students have demonstrated great dedication to their duty. We commend these students for their commitment to a job that requires giving up some of their own free time to assist others. It is also pleasing to see many of our other senior students showing concern for their younger peers and stepping in to help them when they are in need of a bit of support. Even some of our junior school students have been very keen to learn the process and help the mediators and I can see some future champions there! Thank you to all our mediators for your work throughout the year and we hope that many of you will continue to support your peers by becoming a mediator.
Creating future achievers