School News
Peer Mentor programme launched for Year 10 students About 50 Year 13 students undertook training to become MAGS’ first group of Peer Mentors for Year 10 students. They were assigned Form Classes in which they could get alongside students to help with issues ranging from friendship problems to subject selection for their chosen study pathways. The elder students will be available to pass on study advice ahead of exams, help the younger students deal with negative peer pressure, and advise them on how to be safe on the internet and within social media. Associate Principal Mr Paul McKinley and Deputy Principal Ms Jo Williams, who are responsible for MAGS’ Junior Boys and Girls, said the initiative took advantage of positive peer pressure that the mentors could exert as role models. “The reality is that young people do tend to listen to each other and we are lucky to have a fantastic group of senior students who have been selected to be the first group of mentors to work along side the current Year 10 cohort,” said Ms Williams. “While positive learning focused relationships exist between students and teachers, the added support of the Peer Mentors with whom the students can identify and can relate to will be a bonus.”
Year 13 Peer Mentors Anya Seth and Theo Paul with Year 10 students Solomon Granger and Hannah Cope.
The mentors received training from Guidance Counsellors Ms Rhonda Weeks, Ms Margaret O’Carroll and Ms Marianne Wilson.
Junior Class Representatives Each Year 9 and 10 Form Class voted for the student they would like to represent them at meetings led by Prefects, with the assistance of Associate Principal Mr Paul McKinley, responsible for Junior Boys, and Deputy Principal Ms Jo Williams, responsible for Junior Girls. Students who wished to be considered as Form Class Representatives had to email Mr McKinley and Ms Williams outlining the experiences, skills and traits they could bring to the role. They were then given the opportunity to address their peers.
Year 9 Form Class Representatives, back row from left: Darhys Simone, Philip Taua; second row: Mr Paul McKinley, Kenneth Iki, Ali Abbaspour-Mojdehi, Aidan Bright, Ben Gregory, Kanhaiya (Ken) Naidu, Ms Jo Williams; front row: Eva Williams, Sophie Thomson, Rikki Fiatau, Richard Mann (Year 9 Rep), Takunda Muzondiwa (Year 9 Rep), Maxime van Luijken (Deputy Year 9 Rep), Germain Hellriegel-White (Deputy Year 9 Rep), Alanah Faga, Lilee Ieriko, Precious Valencia. Absent: Milan Hussenet
Mr McKinley says the high level of skills and good character among the group means Year 9 and 10 students will be well represented on sub-committees, giving the Junior School a voice and ensuring Junior students are involved in as many opportunities as possible through the Arts, Sport and Academic areas.
Year 10 Form Class Representatives, back row from left: Nela Ta’ufo’ou, Izaak Glynn; second row: Mr Paul McKinley, Laurence Sivasubramaniam, Phoenix Silver, Tuyishime Byamana, Liam Akeli, Theo Lobin, Elisaia Morris, Tom Barrand; front row: Hannah Fale, Vincent Cudmore (Year 10 Rep), Punipuao Lavea (Year 10 Rep), Elijah Manu (Deputy Year 10 Rep), Cleo Sime, Rosarina Pillissi, Ms Jo Williams. Absent: Nadine Hidalgo (Deputy Year 10 Rep), Angel Halatoa, Carla Robertson, Leighton Heremaia-Dale
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