|
|
Peer Mentors
To see the photographs of the Year 8 Mentors at their special training day at the Dalmeny Hotel, click here... Sixth Form Buddies are both Years 13 students with the essential skills and ability to help Lower School students in all year groups who may be experiencing difficulties in school. Buddying is part of Sixth Form "enrichment". There are currently 27 Year 12 and 13 students who have been trained to listen, befriend and, where appropriate, offer advice to the younger students. They usually meet up once a week during form registration time, often in the library. Earlier this year Sixth Form Buddies went with their mentees on a team-building day to Borwick Hall. The idea was for them to work together to overcome challenges and to really get to know each other. Challenges included a low-ropes course (including zip wire); a crate stacking challenge; traversing the climbing wall as well as various activities to get the team talking, laughing and working together. The day finished with the teams designing, making and launching their own water-powered rockets. The whole day was great fun and really enjoyable, but most of all it really helped the students to get to know each other better and so build up the mentoring relationship between Buddy and Mentee.
Fylde MP presents Diana Awards We are delighted to announce that a group of our 6th formers have been honoured with the Diana Certificate of Excellence. The award recognises the outstanding contribution of young people, aged 12 - 18, who work together in groups to improve their communities, organisations or school. In this case our students have worked as Mentors to younger children in the school. This has meant giving up their free time to assist Peer Mentor and Pyramid Club Coordinator, Sue Strother, in the running of the two schemes, which have supported new and vulnerable youngsters. Sue Strother said "Their help has been invaluable. They have recognised difficulties our young students might be experiencing and, in their own time, have formed friendships with them on a one-to-one basis, enriching their own lives as they help others. They have kept working at it, looking for things in common to build up trust. Children have been made to feel safe and confident in their school life. I am very proud of their involvement. Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde, was invited to present the award and certificates at a celebratory breakfast (provided by Catering Manager, Linda Dickinson and her staff. Mark Menzies said "To see young people like these being responsible and caring members of society is heart-warming. Students at LSA are ahead of the game and are shining examples to young people across the country." An email from a parent said "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving our daughter support and kindness which has helped her through bad times, making her feel there is someone to help her when she's unsure." |
The Peer Mentors are Year 8 students who are trained especially to help Year 7s settle into school and solve any problems they have. We have a special room upstairs in C Block - C6 - where Year 7s can go at lunchtime to get help and advice from us. Here, Year 7s can chat, draw or play games quietly either with us or with each other. Anyone who wishes can talk in private to us and will do our best to sort out the problem. Confidentiality is absolutely important (unless there are safety issues).
Anyone is welcome in the Peer Mentor Room so if you are feeling lonely or upset, upset, frightened or worried, come and talk to us. You are welcome on your own or with a friend but please don't bring lots of people with you as our room is not a social room. A big crowd might put other Year 7s off.
Sixth Form Buddies do not come into lessons or take students out of their lessons. The younger students enjoy having an older "buddy" to chat to.They often find it easier than speaking to a member of staff. The "˜Buddies" have been able to re-assure and help the younger students in many different ways already and the knowledge that there is another friendly face in school has made a big difference to some Year 7s who have found the transition to the 'Big' School quite challenging.