ANNUAL REPORT 2006-2007
The Peer Support Foundation Limited 2 Grosvenor Place Brookvale NSW 2100 Phone: 02 9905 3499 Fax: 02 9905 5134 Email: peeroz@peersupport.edu.au Website: www.peersupport.edu.au
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Table of Contents
Mission
Page 4
The Peer Support Foundation
Page 5
The Peer Support Program
Page 6
Peer Support Modules for Primary Schools
Page 7
Peer Support Modules for Secondary Schools
Page 7
Achievements in 2006-2007
Page 8
Future Challenges and Directions
Page 9
Chairman’s Report
Page 10
General Manager’s Report
Page 11
Peer Support Foundation Staff
Page 12
Our Supporters
Page 13
Financial Reports
Page 14-38
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Mission The Peer Support Foundation is a not for profit organisation dedicated to providing peer led programs which foster the physical, social and mental wellbeing of young people and their community. Our vision is to develop in young people a sense of personal responsibility for their own wellbeing, with the support of their peers and an informed and skilled community. The Foundation achieves this through education programs for students, teachers, parents and community members. The Peer Support Foundation would not be able to achieve these objectives without the support of: Founder:
Elizabeth Campbell AM, BSc, TNDC
Chairman:
David A Stanton FIA
Honorary Directors: Phillip L Cox FCPA, Dip Comm (resigned December 2006) Jennifer Dalitz BA, MBA, CPA (appointed February 2007) James Dibble AM, MBE Brian Halstead BE (Chem), BEc, CPA Cheryl Hayman BCom (appointed February 2007) George Livanes MA, LLB, BBus, FAPI (resigned December 2006) Judith Merryweather BSc FACS (appointed February 2007) Karel Wearne MA, DipEd (Deputy Chairman) Staff: (as at 30.6.07) Sharon Austin
General Manager
Kristin Bell
Training and Development Consultant
Sharlene Chadwick
Training and Development Manager
Josie Gallagher
Training and Marketing Administrator
Col Harrison
Training and Development Consultant
Mary Hayward
Relationship and Business Development Officer (Tas)
Jo Lamont
Relationship and Business Development Officer (Qld)
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The Peer Support Foundation The Peer Support Foundation provides schools and their communities with a program designed to develop physical, social and mental wellbeing. This program is implemented across the whole school and supports a safer, happier environment where effective teaching and learning can occur. A range of training workshops that are designed to support school staff in planning for and implementing the Peer Support Program are provided. Scheduled workshops are held throughout the year at key locations. The Peer Support Program is supported by a series of peer led modules which form part of a learning continuum that aims to assist young people to develop positive values, attitudes, behaviours and skills related to relationships, leadership, optimism, resilience, values and anti-bullying. School communities are able to plot a learning pathway from Kindergarten through to Year 12 with modules that address their specific needs and goals.
Implementing the Peer Support Program In primary schools, student learning sessions are facilitated by two Year 6 students with multi-age groups from Kindergarten to Year 5. In secondary schools the traditional approach is Year 10 students facilitating small groups for Year 7 to support them through their transition phase to secondary school. Both primary and secondary students are trained as Peer leaders through a 2 day leadership training program. Peer leaders work with students for approximately 30 minutes per week for 8 sessions using Peer Support Foundation modules.
Research into the Peer Support Program University of Western Sydney (2003) Significant findings show that the Peer Support Program assists in •
skilling students to successfully negotiate transition from Primary to Secondary school
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enhancing relationships between peers and teachers
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changing attitudes towards bullying behaviour
James Cook University (2005) Significant findings show that the Peer Support Program assists in •
constructing a common language for discussing and shaping values
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developing social relationships and interactions
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contributing positively to whole school activities
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Modules focus on developing values, skills and understandings vital to the wellbeing of young people. They are based on a peer led model of learning and assist students to develop: sense of Self resilience connectedness sense of possibility
Implementing the Peer Support Program involves:
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awareness raising training of teachers, parents and community members skill development in student leaders implementation of student modules celebration and evaluation
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Peer Support Modules for Primary Schools Getting Started This module is an introduction for schools who have not previously run the Peer Support Program. The focus is on groups working together and establishing group dynamics. Building Connections This module focuses on the complexities of relationships. Students will develop skills in maintaining positive relationships by learning how to solve problems, accept that friendships change, support each other and acknowledge that they may have a variety of friends. Being Positive This module focuses on providing a framework for students to learn about optimism and positive thinking with an emphasis on skills including positive self talk and empathy. Taking Opportunities This module focuses on resilience. Students develop skills in coping, resilience, planning and monitoring stress. Students identify their personal strengths, people who can support them and strategies to assist in becoming more resilient. Promoting Harmony This module focuses on values. Students develop skills in values clarification, relationship building, assertiveness and decision making. Students focus on the values of caring, respect, responsibility and fair go. Speaking Up This module focuses on anti-bullying. Students develop skills in decision making, problem solving, assertiveness, empathy and relationship building.
Peer Support Modules for Secondary Schools Framework for Orientation This module focuses on the transition to secondary school for Year 7 students. The flexible nature of the framework makes it ideal to incorporate into existing school orientation programs. Facing our Challenges This module focuses on resilience and equipping students with the skills to cope more effectively with situations they may find challenging. Working through Conflict This module focuses on anti-bullying and is designed in conjunction with whole staff training, to address the issue of bullying behaviours in a positive way.
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Achievements in 2006-2007
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Secondary school module Working through Conflict published - this module focuses on anti-bullying and was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training
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Primary school module Promoting Harmony published - this module focuses on values education and was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training
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Funding secured from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Community Based Projects Funding. This funding will enable the Peer Support Foundation to increase the reach of the Peer Support Program into areas in Queensland and Tasmania where it is not operating, or operating using outdated materials
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Infrastructure funding secured to assist in office refurbishment
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Funding secured for employment of a part-time Training and Development Consultant
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Employment of a part-time Relationship and Business Development Officer for Queensland
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Employment of a part-time Relationship and Business Development Officer for Tasmania
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Participated in MindMatters National Reference Group expert forum
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Co hosted NSW Student Welfare and Personal Development Association’s Conference August 2006
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Presented at Ship for World Youth - February 2007
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Presented at Rockhampton Diocesan Curriculum Conference - June 2007
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Future Challenges and Directions
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Secure funding for secondary school module focusing on values
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Development of secondary school module focusing on values
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Secure ongoing funding for employment of part-time Training and Development Consultant
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Increase or maintain number of schools implementing the Peer Support Program in NSW
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Increase or maintain number of schools implementing the Peer Support Program in ACT
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Secure ongoing funding to supplement three year seed funding for Queensland and Tasmania
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Research to be conducted focused on outcomes and efficacy of the Peer Support Program linked to the Suicide Prevention Project
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Research to be conducted into Peer Support Foundation’s primary school anti-bullying module
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Secure ongoing funding for an annual program development regime
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Review primary Building Connections and Being Positive modules
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Review secondary Facing our Challenges module
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Develop a flexible delivery package for SRC teacher training
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Secure funding to redevelop website
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Redevelop website
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Investigate electronic delivery and e learning technology
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Office refurbishment
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Further develop links with Australian Government initiatives including, but not limited to KidsMatter and MindMatters
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Continue to seek opportunities to increase the profile of the Peer Support Foundation
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Continue to develop links with external, not for profit organisations and educational sectors
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Continue to make Government and Political links
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Secure funding for development of a Peer Support Program DVD
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Chairman’s Report Once again, the Peer Support Foundation has had a very busy and challenging year. The year has also marked an increase in our geographical reach, with our active expansion into Queensland and Tasmania. This expansion has been made possible by a grant from the federal Department of Health and Ageing under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, arising out of our feasibility study conducted in the previous year. On the financial side, we have been able to improve our situation, enabling us to plan for the future with greater confidence than has sometimes been the case. We continue to be well supported by the New South Wales Department of Health, this funding being used to subsidise the implementation of our programs in New South Wales. Approaches to the Queensland and Tasmanian State Governments for similar funding have met with some success. Our eventual aim is to have State funding in place to take over when the federal funding for expansion ceases in mid-2009. The federal Department of Education, Science and Training has also continued to fund our development of new modules, enabling us to develop and release two new modules during the year, one for primary schools and one for secondary. As I mentioned last year, the Peer Support Program aims to develop the resilience, optimism, sense of connectedness, sense of self and decision-making ability of young people, and many Government initiatives are now looking for programs which develop these skills as a means of addressing issues such as safe schools, mental health, values education and suicide prevention. This match between what we offer and what society wants puts us in a sound position to move forward with confidence, as we consolidate our expansion into Queensland and Tasmania while continuing to expand our influence in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. We conservatively estimate that around 200,000 school children are influenced by our programs each year. The fact that we are able to achieve this is a great testament to the skill, dedication and hard work of our General Manager, Sharon Austin and her staff. I would like to place on record my sincere thanks for their work, along with the thanks of all board members. During the year two of our directors, Phillip Cox and George Livanes, resigned from the board of the Peer Support Foundation. Phillip has been a director since 1994, and has resigned as a consequence of a transfer overseas. We are hopeful that he will be able to rejoin the board on his expected return to Australia in a few years time. George joined the board in 1992, and has resigned for personal reasons. Needless to say, their experience and contribution to board deliberations will be sorely missed. I extend my personal thanks to both Phillip and George for their many years of involvement with the Peer Support Foundation. During the year, arising in part from matters identified in our quality improvement program, we conducted a search for new board members. This search was successful, with around a dozen potential candidates being considered. I am very happy to welcome Jennifer Dalitz, Cheryl Hayman and Judith Merryweather to the board. I am confident that they all will make significant contributions to the affairs of the board and the Peer Support Foundation in the years to come.
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General Manager’s Report This has been another successful year for the Peer Support Foundation with the publication of two new modules and continued membership growth and demand for the Peer Support Program This year the Peer Support Foundation has developed and published a secondary school module focusing on anti-bullying and a primary school module focusing on values. This was made possible by generous funding from the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training and the hard work of our Training and Development Consultants who produced both modules well ahead of schedule. Funding was secured from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to assist in the promotion and expansion of the Peer Support Program into Tasmania and Queensland. This has resulted in lots of discussion with Health and Education Departments in both states to inform them of our presence. The response has been very encouraging with workshops in Hobart and Launceston. and a workshop scheduled for later in the year in North West Tasmania. Queensland workshops have been well attended with three workshops in Brisbane and additional workshops scheduled for the next financial year in Townsville and Rockhampton. We have received some very positive feedback from the teaching fraternity in both Queensland and Tasmania and Queensland Health have provided some seed funding. Focus group discussions were held in April by Paul Bullen, a researcher engaged as part of the expansion project. It was satisfying to hear teachers in primary and secondary schools comment on their personal experiences with the Peer Support Program and the impact it had made on their students and schools. I would like to thank the Raymond E Purves Foundation for their ongoing support and to welcome Kristin Bell back from maternity leave. Kristin has returned on a part-time basis and her position has been funded by the Raymond E Purves Foundation. A windfall in the shape of a extraordinary royalty payment this year has assisted the Peer Support Foundation to build its financial reserves. The management of the Foundation recognise that development of strong reserves are essential to ensure the long term sustainability of the organisation. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Peer Support Foundation and all students and schools involved in the Peer Support Program to thank Catholic Church Insurances, James N Kirby Foundation, United Way, Woodend Foundation, Mr and Mrs John Phillips, Barbara Patterson and the Rotary Club of Crows Nest for their ongoing support. Lastly I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and board for their hard work and ongoing dedication to ensuring that the Peer Support Foundation fulfils its mission with high quality training and resources that continues to meet the needs of students and school communities.
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PEER SUPPORT FOUNDATION STAFF
Josie Gallagher, Training and Marketing Administrator
Jo Lamont, Relationship and Business Development Officer
Mary Hayward, Relationship and Business Development Officer
Sam Chadwick, Training and Development Manager Kristin Bell, Training and Development Consultant
Col Harrison, Training and Development Consultant
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Our Supporters
The Peer Support Foundation thanks everyone who has supported us this year. Government, Corporate and Philanthropic Sponsors 2006-2007 Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing NSW Department of Health Queensland Health Department Catholic Church Insurances James N Kirby Foundation Jessica and Wallace Hore Trust The Kingston Sedgfield (Australia) Charitable Trust Raymond E Purves Foundation United Way (Northern Beaches Youth Community Fund) United Way Sydney Woodend Pty Ltd Individual Supporters and Rotary Clubs Special thanks to Mr and Mrs John Phillips, Mrs Barbara Patterson, and the Rotary Club of Crows Nest. Your continued support is much appreciated. Registered Clubs Many registered clubs throughout NSW and ACT kindly assist the Peer Support Foundation with donations through the Community Development and Support Expenditure (CDSE) scheme, complimentary room and equipment hire and catering. Members Our members are the lifeblood of the Peer Support Foundation. Thank you for your continued support.
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Directors’ Report Activities of the Peer Support Foundation
As a not-for-profit organisation, the continuing activities of this company were those of a benevolent foundation, supporting schools in the implementation of the Peer Support Program. The Peer Support Foundation Limited does not have share capital. No debentures were issued during the financial year ended 30th June 2007. Events subsequent to the end of the financial year There does not exist at the date of this report any contingent liability or any charge on the assets securing the liability of any other person which has arisen since the 30th June 2007. No contingent liability has become enforceable, or is likely to become enforceable before or on 30th June 2008 which, in the opinion of the directors, will or may substantially affect the ability of the company to meet its obligations as and when they fall due. Directors’ benefits No director of the company has, either during or since the end of the financial year, received or become entitled to receive a benefit not disclosed in the accounts as directors’ emoluments, by reason of a contract made by the company in which he/she has a substantial interest. Review of operation and results In this financial year, the Peer Support Foundation made a surplus of $322,723.44. Significant changes and state of affairs The Peer Support Foundation expanded its operations during this financial year to provide training and workshops in Tasmania and Queensland. These activities have been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Future Developments and results The Peer Support Foundation will develop ongoing theme specific modules for both Primary and Secondary schools. There will be continued evaluation of new and current modules. Directors meeting attendance, qualifications and special responsibilities The Peer Support Foundation was well supported by six Honorary Board Members who met on 7 occasions including AGM.
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David A Stanton FIA Chairman A subscriber to the formation of the company, Mr Stanton has served as a Director since its formation and was elected Chairman on 17 October 2005. He is Managing Director of David Stanton & Associates Pty Ltd. (Attended 6 Directors’ meetings and 1 AGM) James E Dibble AM, MBE Mr Dibble retired from the ABC in 1983. Since the formation of the Peer Support Foundation Mr Dibble has served as a Director and past Chairperson. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Warringah and a member of Rotary International District 9680 Public Relations Committee. (Attended 2 Directors’ meetings) Phillip L Cox FCPA, DipComm - Resigned Mr Cox was appointed to the Board in 1994. He is the Business Support Services Manager for Unilever Australia Ltd. In his time with Unilever, he has worked overseas in the United Kingdom and South Africa. He has extensive experience in financial management. Mr Cox resigned as Director in December 2006. (Attended 2 Directors’ meetings and 1 AGM) Jennifer Dalitz BA, MBA, CPA Ms Dalitz was appointed to the Board in April 2007. She has international experience in consulting and professional services and over 10 years experience in Senior Management roles. She is currently a Principal at Dalitz & Associates Business Consultants, a firm specialising in strategy development and implementation within financial services organisations. (Attended 2 Directors’ meetings) Brian Halstead BE, BEc,CPA Mr Halstead was appointed to the Board in 1999. He was elected Chairman on 16 October 2000 and served until David Stanton’s appointment on 17 October 2005. Prior to retirement he was Chairman of Freightcorp and a Director and Chief Financial Officer for Unilever in Australia and New Zealand. (Attended 6 Directors’ meetings and 1 AGM) Cheryl Hayman BCom Ms Hayman was appointed to the Board in April 2007. She brings extensive experience in marketing with a variety of corporations, primarily through her role as Marketing Director. She is the founder and Managing Director of Hayman Strategy which specialises in strategic marketing and business consultancy. (Attended 1 Directors’ meeting) George Livanes MA, LLB, BBus - Resigned Mr Livanes was appointed to the Board of the Foundation in November 1992. He is a partner in the legal firm of Piper Alderman. Mr Livanes resigned as Director in December 2006. (Attended 2 Directors’ meetings and 1 AGM)
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Judith Merryweather, BSc FACS Ms Merryweather was appointed to the Board in April 2007. With a background in IT, she has worked in consulting and senior corporate roles. As a Principal of Alexer, she provides strategic business systems consulting. She is a past Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Computing and Communications. (Attended 2 Director’s meetings) Karel Wearne BA, DipEd, MA Deputy Chairman Appointed a Director in 1990, Ms Wearne is a consultant psychologist, with a background in education. As the Principal of the Wearne Resource Consultancy she provides psychological and career counselling to individuals and groups. (Attended 4 Directors’ meetings and 1 AGM)
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The Peer Support Foundation is dedicated to providing dynamic peer led programs which foster the physical, social and mental wellbeing of young people and their community
The Peer Support Foundation is a company limited by guarantee
ANNUAL REPORT 2006-2007