St Peter's Boys Prep Pastoral Care – Peer Mediation

A peer mediation initiative was introduced in 2014 as part of the Grade 7 St Peter's Individual Growth (SPIG) leadership programme. The goal of the mediation programme is to reduce conflict, creating a safer environment and to provide the Grade 7 boys with problem solving skills. The Grade 7 boys are trained to listen to the disputing pupils’ stories and help them to work out a mutually acceptable agreement. Solutions are not forced on the pupils and the mediators take responsibility for solving the disputes without violence.

The mediators are identified by green sashes and engage in informal mediation. Incidents are reported to the Director of Pastoral Care where a brief review is run through. 

The mediators are taught mediation skills to deal with situations which may arise from friendship issues, arguments over rules of games, playground disputes, verbal harassment and physical aggression. The boys at St Peter's are being empowered to help solve problems before they are escalated to teachers. It was evident from our first year of implementation of the programme that the mediators exhibited greater self-control, self-confidence and problem solving skills.