ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAMMES

S.A.F.E. (Students Against all Forms of Exploitation)

This programme was initiated by students at HFHS over 10 years ago. Year 12 and Year 13 students volunteer to be a SAFE student. This year there are approximately 80 students that are SAFE members. All our Senior Council, Peer Support Leaders are also SAFE members.

The role of SAFE students is to assist in making HFHS a safer place for students. The responsibilities for SAFE students are:

• First and foremost, to be positive role models in all aspects of school life.
• To promote and encourage a more positive school environment for all.
• To act as a student body for all students to be able to talk to or approach for support and/or assistance.
• To assist, in a non-confrontational way, in preventing violence, bullying and prejudice within the school.

SAFE students are visible by their badges and are always available to assist younger students. A group of SAFE students run a SAFE Room for students wanting a quiet supportive place at lunchtime.

L.I.F.E. Programme (Learning in a Friendly Environment)

This is our junior school programme set up to assist in the prevention of violence and encouraging inclusion. In every Year 9 and Year 10 Group room a student is chosen as the LIFE representative. This student tends to be chosen because they are a good role model and they are trusted by their peers. The responsibility of the LIFE students is to keep an eye out in class for any student that may be being bullied or may be lonely. LIFE students report back to the guidance counselor about any students they are concerned about and this is followed up by the counselor.

PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME

A large group of senior students are trained to work with our new Year 9 students during their first few weeks at school. The main aim of Peer Support is to assist the new students to feel comfortable in the new environment, to help them to make new friends, to teach them important communication skills and to assist them to communicate and feel comfortable with some of our senior leaders.

SADD – STUDENTS AGAINST DRIVING DRUNK

SADD is a programme run by a committee of mainly Year 12 & 13 students. This committee provides frequent reminders to all students about the importance of traveling with sober drivers only.

Each year this committee undertakes training with the SADD national body. In order to promote awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, the SADD committee organizes guest speakers for school assemblies as well as various other lunchtime events to promote safe, sober driving.

PROJECT K

Project K was introduced into Hamilton’s Fraser High School at the end of 2008 with its first intake of twelve Year 10 students beginning the programme in April 2009.

Project K is an intensive youth development programme aimed at enhancing students’ purposefulness and personal effectiveness. It is only applicable for Year 10 students and involves a challenging three week wilderness experience, followed by a community project challenge, followed by a year’s mentoring by adult volunteers.

Students’ comments:

• “I didn’t think I could make it this far, I thought I’d just give up – I DIDN’T!”
• “I’ve become a calmer person and I think before I act and breathe before I speak”
• “I’ve learnt pretty mean skills – like pushing myself to the limit, and doing things I’ve never done before.”
• “I found out that I am actually kind of fit – I thought I wouldn’t make it up the long steep hills but I did. Yay!.”