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 Conflict Resolution & Peer Mediators |
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History |
| Our journey started in 1999, Mr Joey Salmans, were trained by the Centre for Conflict Resolution. The course dealt with the understanding of conflict - the positives and the negatives. Staff at the school then attended a workshop by these two teachers on the knowledge they gained from their training.
The next year - 2000 - a follow-up workshop with the CCR dealt with "Mediation in school communities". After this course these two staff members, with the support of a small committee, started the RBPS Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation programme. |
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| The process |
The goal of this programme is to empower the learners to deal with conflict in a constructive manner. Trained mediators walk around on the playground and identify conflict situations. They approach the disputants and ask whether the disputants required assistance in dealing with conflict. If the answer is favourable the mediators will take the learners to a quiet place and get into the process of mediation.
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| In this process they focus on the respect for the other i.e. one speaks while the other listens. Both disputants will brainstorm solutions to the problem and they will both be satisfied with the solution. If not, it's back to the drawing board and the brainstorm. |
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| Peer Mediators |
| Presently the mediators are all senior learners from Grade 7. A group of about 20 learners learners work on a duty roster at breaks and before school. These learners applied with an application letter in which they sell themselves to the committee of selectors as to why they should be a mediator. |
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| The future |
| The aim is to have mediators in every grade so that we can truly speak about PEER mediation. It is envisaged that RBPS will continue to have a very strong programme as we realize the need thereof in society today. |
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| Associates |
| The senior mediators are involved in the running of an annual PEACE DAY programme. The committee of educators running the programme run workshops for parents, staff and learners throughout the year. The school has been honoured with the presence of many speakers who are spreading the gospel of peace in our society i.e. Val Dovey (Centre for Conflict Resolution), Monique Strydom (who was a hostage on an Indonesian Island with her husband Callie), Jonathan R Kathrein (President of Future Leaders for Peace, USA) etc. |
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