Peer Support Leaders

Bond, Help, Influence

Peer Support Relations (PSR) at Canberra Secondary School

Our Vision: To create an enabling and caring environment where students feel safe, accepted, empowered, and competent through strong positive peer relationships.

Our PSR structure aligns with the Ministry of Education's PSR framework, where students participate in fostering strong friendships and a sense of belonging to the school community (peer bonding), provide practical help and social-emotional support to one another (peer helping) and promote positive mindsets, pro-social behaviours (both online and offline), well-being and role model good character (peer influencing) (CCE Student Development Curriculum Division, 2020).

Peer Support Leaders (PSLs) are selected students who take on a more active role in supporting their peers. Their responsibilities include monthly training sessions where they develop skills to listen actively, respond with empathy, manage conflicts, encourage early help-seeking and positive coping strategies. Beyond that, PSLs are also involved in various school-wide activities to enhance peer bonding within classes and the school community.

In summary, the role of PSLs in Canberra Secondary School is to bond with, help, and positively influence their peers, thereby contributing to an enabling and caring environment.

1) PSL Trainings (Empowering PSLs to help others)

Monthly training conducted by SWB Teachers.

Trainings conducted by external vendors on specific themes (e.g. Touch Cyber Wellness on cyber wellness advocacy)

2) Student Leaders Affirmation Ceremony 2024

4th Peer Support Leaders Exco

Adam Jeremy from 3 Integrity (Head of PSL) receiving Certificate of Appointment on behalf of Class PSLs.

3rd PSL Exco. Not in picture: Esther Chee from 4 Honour.

Class Leaders Presentation Ceremony 2024

3) Tier 1 Peer Support Education (Termly Mental Wellness Talk by Specialists)

1) Events:

A) Class-based Birthday Celebrations (Peer Bonding)

B) Advocacy campaigns (Peer-influencing)

I) Cyber Wellness Campaign in collaboration with Cyber Security Agency Singapore to raise awareness on being safe online.

II) Bully-free campaign.

III) Wellness Week in collaboration with Singapore Heart Foundation and SHINE.

IV) Wellness Week in conjunction with Purple Parade conducted by PSLs. Raising awareness on the importance of total wellness and celebrating inclusivity.

C)     Youth Day Celebration

Concert conducted by Sec 3 PSLs.

Collaborated with Aesthetic Department to have The Canberra Spotlight Finalists as part of Youth Day Concert.

D)     GRC Celebration Week

Class-based activities conducted by PSLs to enhance peer bonding.

2) PSL-GEAR UP Interactions

Bi-weekly interactions with GEAR UP during After School Engagement Program to promote peer bonding and peer influencing among students.