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JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2016 • LEARNING JOURNEYS
Peer Support Leaders Training Camp ( PSLTC )
The Peer Support Leaders Training Camp ( PSLTC ) 2016 was held at the SJI Bishan Campus on 21 October . The Peer Support Board comprises the Peer Support Facilitators ( PSFs ), Peer Support Leaders ( PSLs ) and the teachers in-charge . PSLTC is mainly focused on the new Secondary 2 PSLs and their transition to becoming bigger brothers to the incoming batch of Secondary Ones attending the Orientation Camp held the following year .
Peer Support focuses on the continual guidance and nurturing of the growth of the incoming Secondary Ones and to ease them into secondary school life . When a new Secondary 1 boy enters SJI , the first impression of the school community is left by the PSLs and this is so crucial to the foundation of the student ’ s identification with the school spirit and values . This work is continued as the Secondary Ones go for ACE Camp at the end of the year .
Teamwork , understanding , trust and communication are important tenets emphasised during the PSLTC . Through games ,
sessions and reflections , the PSLs were able to learn through fun and reflections the importance of the role of a PSL in the life of a Secondary One boy . The PSLs were able to attain the skills needed to care for the incoming Secondary Ones , while they deepened their own understanding of the school ’ s values of Faith , Service and Community . Through the many Peer Support sessions we had , where speakers shared their opinions and thoughts about what makes us a peer support board , the PSLs better understood the meaning of being an older brother to others . These Peer Support sessions were aimed at familiarising the PSLs with the different games that the Secondary Ones would be going through themselves . The different meanings behind the various games were also heavily emphasised - such as how the game “ Human Knot ” highlighted the importance of teamwork and group coherence and how “ Carwash ” helped steer the students to learn to be more appreciative and perceptive of others and others ’ gifts and special aspects .
The training sessions were geared towards reflective questions for the PSLs to ponder over the true meaning of being a “ Peer Support Leader ” and their own individual strengths and weaknesses . This is to ensure that our PSLs truly grasp the importance of their roles and in the process of nurturing the incoming Secondary Ones , they would learn something of value that will influence their growth as men of purpose .
The night reflections were also significant parts of the camp ; it allowed for an easy closure of each day based on lessons the PSLs have learnt , and the experience shared . At the mass conducted on the second day of the camp , Father Adrian Danker , SJ , shared his take on humility and how to inculcate this value in the midst of supporting our peers .
The camp finally culminated with a group photo-taking session , the presentation of certificates of participation to the PSLs and PSFs by the teachers and finally , one final reflection through the closing prayer .