Thirteen new peer support students at Marlborough Boys College have added to the growing number who are giving back to the school and helping younger students.
The year 11 to 13 students joined 20 others who have returned as peer supporters this year.
Among the new support students are Michael Buckley, 16, and Luke Anderson, 16, who say the role will give them a chance to help junior students and give back to their school.
Michael, year 12, said he did not know much about the peer supporters when he was a junior student and their help would have been useful while settling into college life. He knew who the peer supporters were, but thought their role was limited to relationship issues.
It was difficult for some students to talk about their problems and open up, but it was not always about getting them to talk, he said.
"There's no pressure to do anything."
Luke, year 13, added: "Just them [students] coming to us is a good start."
The awareness of what the peer support students did and who they were was growing each year, even judging by the number of students wanting to become support students, Luke said. Peer supporter numbers have grown from 21 last year and 10 in 2010.
College guidance counsellor Eric Newham said the support students are trained to help other students in a range of areas including bullying, mental and health issues, and sexual health and are able to do some mediation.
The challenge with the peer support students was making them more visible and well known among the student body.
Another challenge was that boys were less likely to want to talk about their problems or issues, he said.
"You'll find girls will quite happily talk with their peer supporters, but boys are more reserved – that's the challenge you will always face."
The college's new peer support students, along with their counterparts from Queen Charlotte College, in Picton, and Marlborough Girls' College, took part in a four-day training camp at Waikawa Marae in February.
Peer support numbers swell
- The Marlborough ExpressSIMON WONG
Hanging out: James Scott-Barnes, 13, and peer support student Luke Anderson, 17.
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