Ambassador Programme

Year 7/8 Ambassador programme

In 2016 we built on our previous pilot to facilitate our year 7/8 Ambassador programme in three schools in Alexandra/Clyde.  We had quickly learned that engaging with and supporting students before High School (and before Social Media became an integral part of the way they communicate) had HUGE potential to create change.

Alongside some of our High School advocates, we took what had worked really well in the Pilot (and looked really hard at what hadn’t) and collaborated on a strengths based Social and Emotional Learning programme.  We wanted students to volunteer rather than have teachers select students.  There was no expectation that the young people were ‘perfect’ or great role models, we wanted to provide an opportunity for learning and growth for anyone interested in committing their time.

Sessions were held mainly at lunchtime (with around 15 minutes of class time) and held every two weeks.

Themes covered in the programme are:

• Looking after Me
• Me and Others
• Understanding Bullying
• Taking Positive Action

In 2017 we have almost 300 Year 7/8 ambassadors in eight schools:

• Alexandra primary School (who have been involved since the very first pilot in 2015)
• Clyde Primary School (Involved also in the 2016 Pilot)
• St Gerard’s Primary School (Involved also in the 2016 Pilot)
• The Terrace Primary School
• Holy Family Primary School
• Mt Aspiring College
• Roxburgh Area School
• Omakau Primary School

Year 5/6 Junior Ambassador Programme Pilot

This year we were excited to employ Naomi over in Wanaka.  Naomi is a hugely experienced psychologist with a passion for mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)

Naomi created and has been piloting a Junior Ambassador programme with Hawea Flat School.

More than 30 students have been taking part and taking on a leadership role within their school.  The feedback has been positive and there is interest from other schools across Central Otago to introduce the programme in 2018

 

Look out for more information and examples of work from our incredible ambassadors in our NEW LOOK website launching next month

 

High School Advocate Groups

The students that join SnS in each College or High School take on the role of advocates.  They take the lead for spreading the messages and taking positive action in their areas and can respond to the needs of their peers, families and wider communities.

Our School Action groups meet at least once a fortnight.  There is always yummy snacks and loads of laughter.  This is where we share ideas, plan events, activities or trainings and build on the goals we set for each year.

Meetings take place either at lunchtime or after school.  These are run by the students and make sure that we maintain momentum and support each other.

We have Facebook groups to support us with our planning and ‘To Do ‘ lists in between meetings

In each school we have a Community Facilitator that supports alongside a School Champion and other supporters.  These can be a teacher, youth worker, guidance counsellor or someone else that believes in supporting young people to have their voices heard in an authentic way.  They also support us within the school to get our ideas to Senior Management.

 

 

 

Trainings and Regional Meetings

To develop our skills and understanding and to support our growth, we decide on the kinds of training we would like when we meet together with students from our five school acton groups.

We have had presentations, workshops and involvement from:

• The Police
• Health Nurses
• Attitude
• Youthline
• The Ministry of Youth Development
• Rainbow Youth

 

We decide what we want to know more about and our EVENT MANAGEMENT TEAM plans how these sessions will look. Whether it is a half day during term time or a full day with a range of workshops during the school holidays, these sessions are optional but give us the chance to meet SnS reps from other schools and to grow our project.

Like our School Action Group meetings, these always have YUMMY food and plenty of fun and some of our best ideas have come from these discussions.