We also provide each of our peer helpers with a copy of the workbook that accompanies the Starter Kit. In our three years we have experienced everything from problems in the relationships to problems with teachers to potential suicides. There is also an appointment box for students to ask to be seen at another time. This has been extremely successful at our school. In the event of a conflict, whether verbal or physical, the Vice-Principal or Behaviour Resource Teacher informs me and I choose a Peer Helper to mediate the conflict in the Peer Help Centre.
Most disputants avoid detentions or suspensions due to mediation.
In the event that a suspension is unavoidable then the mediation takes place immediately upon the student's return to school. Each peer helper is assigned to a Grade 9 homeform which they formally visit at least once a month. During the course of the year, peer helpers develop a big brother, big sister relationship with their Grade 9s. The helping team consists of the assigned peer helpers, the assigned school counsellor, and the mentor teacher who teaches the Grade 9 class during the same period as our peer help class. In case of a problem, they know exactly where to find us.