Peer Mediation is a program we operate during lunchtime at Cambridge Primary School. It teaches new and effective ways for the children to use mediation approaches to solve problems. Student conflicts are handled by the disputants themselves with the assistance of specially trained mediators, rather than by teachers. It is a voluntary and confidential process bound by specific ground rules which follows a step-by-step formula. In so doing it enables young people to develop a basis for future problem solving. Mediators are trained in Grade 5 in late Term 4 so that by the beginning of Grade 6 they are ready to implement the program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peer mediators-

· are the peacemakers for the school

· listen to and respect all points of view

· understand their own conflicts and how to handle them

· know how to help other students resolve their conflicts.

 

Benefits for the school are:

· enabling a school to improve the social and learning environment.

while decreasing:

· hostility

· violence

· anti-social behaviour