BAA Peer Counselling Framework
District Name: Okanagan Skaha
District Number: #67
Course Proposed: Peer Counselling 12
Developed by: Pam Storie
Schools: Princess Margaret Secondary School
Date Developed: October 2004
Principal’s Name: Bruce Johnson
Board Authority Approval Date:
Board Authority Signature:
Grade Level of Courses: Grade 12
Number of Course Credits: 4 credits
Hours of Instruction: 120 hours
Prerequisite(s):
 Recommendation by two staff members, an administrator or counsellor.
 Mature, responsible students who are respectful of others.
 Desire / interest to work with all students.
 Willingness to communicate and interact with others.
 Demonstrates leadership abilities
Special Training, Facilities or Equipment: Must attend and participate in the two day
October training retreat.
Course Synopsis: The peer counsellors are given education and training so that they
may empathize with their peers and listen without making judgments. Peer counsellors
are trained in effective communication skills and are supervised, directed, and evaluated
by the counsellor. Students will develop social responsibility while acquiring skills in
communication, interpersonal relations, leadership, mediation, and teamwork. Students
will acquire a life long appreciation, value and acceptance of all cultures represented in
our school community. The helpers are not encouraged to give solutions or advice. They
are trained to listen and make appropriate referrals. Students will gain a new
understanding of themselves throughout the course of this program. Students who opted
to take this course in all two or three grades will continue to build on skills learned, and
will be expected to take more of a leadership role both with project work and individual
growth.
.
Rationale
School District # 67’s peer counselling program provides students an opportunity to
assist fellow students. It is a program that has been offered to students at Princess
Margaret School for the past 16 years. It is built on the premise that students often seek
assistance from their peers in times of personal crisis. If a variety of students are trained
in effective listening skills, referral processes, mediation skills, and are aware of
community agencies, then more students would be able to effectively assist their peers.
Organizational Structure:
Unit / Topic
1
2
3
4
5
6
Peer Counselling Program:
Program Orientation and Retreat
Communication Skills
Mental Illness information
Teen Issues
Peer Mediation
Practical Application
Total
Time:
30 hours
20 hours
5 hours
20 hours
5 hours
40 hours
120 hours
Curriculum Organizers:
Retreat
 A 2 day over night retreat will be held in October to familiarize students with the
peer counselling program. Grade 12 students will need to prepare a presentation
and facilitate a discussion on a teen topic of current concern. During the retreat
we also invite guest speakers from the community to talk about community
agencies and referral processes. As well, students have an opportunity to get to
know each other through the various activities offered at the retreat.
Communication Skills
 Grade 12 students will take a leadership role in providing service to their peers.
The peers will increase their communication skills through classroom
presentations, the use of small group discussions and role play situations.
Positive interactions with people continues to be emphasized and reinforced.
Peers also assist with middle school transition activities and organize events for
the grade 8 students.

Mental Illness
Grade 12 students are given some instructional time with a mental health
clinician to learn about depression and suicide. Appropriate community referral
processes and emergency services are discussed and information shared with
students, via bulletin boards, classroom visitations, and individual contact. Time
is spent learning about mental illnesses such as bipolar and schizophrenia to
reduce the stigma attached to some of these illnesses.





Teen Issues
Students spend time learning about the effects of drugs and alcohol, how to
handle peer pressure, parental issues, eating disorders, cultural diversities,
family issues, conflict, abuse, death, etc.
Gr. 12 students will take a leadership role in sharing this information with their
peers and educating students about appropriate resources.
Peer Mediation
Students will learn some effective strategies to deal with conflict. Some students
will be trained as part of a peer mediation panel to assist peers in resolving their
differences in a win- win situation.
Practical Application
Students are expected to organize an event for the students in the classroom
setting or as a lunch hour or evening venue. Peers are assigned a block of time
for peer counselling. During this time they are available to meet with students,
work on school projects, tour new registrations around the school, participate in
activity days such as multicultural day, aids awareness day, student conference
day, etc. as well as be assistants to the counsellors and administration.
Grade 12 students will also be required to complete and present a personal
portfolio (2004/2005 school year)
Instructional Component:
 Direct Instruction
 Interactive Instruction
 Independent Study
 Modelling
 Practical Experience
 Group Work
 Role Plays
Expectations:
 Attend each class regularly
 Participate to the best of their ability
 Attend monthly meetings
 Be a positive role model at school
 Respect all students and staff
 Participate fully in school projects
Assessment methods include both formative and summative evaluations
including:
 Teacher observation
 Self assessments
 Reports from other teachers
 Student conferences
 Presentations and demonstrations
Assessment Component:
Participation
60%
Skill Development
20%
Knowledge
20%
Learning Resources:
Peer Counsellor Workbook
Youth Helping Youth- A Handbook for Training Peer Facilitators
Peer Power- Book # 1
Peer Power- Book # 2 - Applying Peer Helper Skills
Student Leadership Training
Peer Mediation –Conflict Resolution in Schools
Gail Roberts
Robert Myrick
Tom Erney
Judith Tindall
Judith Tindall
Diane Taub
Fred Schrump
Donna Crawford
& Richard Bodine
Additional Information:
 Video Library on topics such as: Communication skills, mediation, relationship, teen
issues, mental illness, depression and suicide intervention, substance abuse, dealing
parents,
 Peer Counselling Course Outline 2004/05
 Guest speakers from our community agencies are invited to deliver information about
their agencies to the peer counsellors.