Every year, a group of senior students are involved in the S1 buddy support system. There are currently 12 buddies and 10 peer advocates who help the new pupils settle in high school.
The purpose of the buddies is to allow the S1 students to have guidance and someone to open up to whenever they may need it. The peer advocates are also there to assist and are gaining a Youth Achievement award for themselves in the process. All senior students will be trained in child protection to ensure they know the importance of confidentiality.
Within the school, there is currently a games club that invites S1 students along in order to get to know the peer advocates and buddies who are there to provide a helping hand through their first year at high school.
As well as this, the peer advocates get involved with the S1 students in improving their reading skills and ensure they progress in their literacy skills.
Rachael Gardner, an S6 peer advocate said “It’s good being a buddy for S1 pupils as we are young people who have been through this, we can relate to them.” And when asked if the S1 students were settling in she said “The majority of them are settling in well however some are struggling with the social aspect of high school and making new friends, we are here to help them and we are trained in child protection so know how to deal with it.
Scott Young, also an S6 peer advocate was pleased to be achieving a Youth Achievement Award as part of the peer advocate course, it “helps improve UCAS applications and looks great on CV’s”
By Lauryn Omeike
Brilliant post!