What Do Peer Counsellors Actually Do?

PCs display their purple T-shirts | Photo Credit: Stephen Kosar

Hamber’s Peer Counsellors (PCs), often recognizable by their bold purple T-shirts as they roam around the school, have become a familiar group to many in the school community. From organizing events to helping out in the classroom, this group of grade 12s has spent countless hours helping new students feel welcomed at Hamber.

“Every Tuesday, we learn the basics of counselling,” said Peer Counsellor Sarah Rubidge (12) about PCs’ early morning class, which starts at 7:30 a.m.. “We've covered things like helping people through grief, conflict resolution, and just helping people talk through their feelings,” she said. “We also do things like role plays so we can practice these skills. So one of us will pretend to be someone with a problem or an issue, and then we will help talk them through it.”

Students go to PCs for help for a multitude of reasons. “Anything, really. If they just want to talk to someone, [...] or if they have an actual issue with their class, or if their friends are having a big fight, they can come to a PC and we can help them,” Rubidge stated.

So far, the PCs have hosted a multitude of events to help welcome the grade 8s and other new students, from a Christmas train chugging through the halls, to school tours, to a “PCs vs. grade 8s” sporting event.

“We did the PCs vs. grade 8s [event] a few months ago, and I think that was really helpful for the grade 8s, because [...] they were able to bond together and try to beat us, which was a lot of fun,” recalled Rubidge.

PCs competing in a tug-of-war competition against grade 8s | Photo Credit: Serena Wang

Historically, one of the PCs’ biggest responsibilities has been organizing an overnight camping trip at Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast for the grade 8s. There has not been a grade 8 Camp for the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year, the PCs have helped to organize a last-minute alternative to the traditional camping trip.

“We’re still doing [Grade 8 Camp], but it’s going to be a day camp,” said Peer Counsellor Gabby Milot (12). The day camp, which will take place later this month in Chilliwack, is the main focus of the Peer Counsellors at the moment. As per tradition, the PCs are putting on a skit to be performed in front of the grade 8s at the camp.

Other projects that the PCs are currently working on include an introduction video for next year’s incoming grade 8s, as well as a legacy project, which is yet to be unveiled.

Aside from large projects, the Peer Counsellors also help out in the school community on a day-to-day basis through grade 8 placement blocks.

“Basically, you get put into a PC block, which is a grade 8 class that's usually an elective. If they're having any issues in the class, you can bring them out and they can talk to you about whatever's going on,” PC Micah Andaya (12) explained.

“You can also be given a buddy. Usually that's for if they need extra help in their academic courses,” Andaya continued. “So you tutor them sometimes, and meet up with them and check in on them. You're supposed to be there and be a leader for the school.”

The experience of being a Peer Counsellor is highly fulfilling. “I think a lot of people think it’s just something for your resume or graduation, but it’s really a lot more than that. The things that you talk about with the kids and spending time with them is so magical,” explained PC Brianna McGuire (12). “It’s so important for them, and it just means a lot for me to be someone like that to them.”

The impact that the PCs have made is certainly tangible. The PCs have been met with a lot of love from the students they have helped.

“I remember when I was done my class already, for my placement block, one of the girls that I used to have to sit with came up to me during Halloween and brought me candy, which was super sweet,” Milot shared.

Andaya, who also coaches the Bantam Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams, told a similar story: “I remember Janelle Sobredo (12) and I were playing one of our last Midtown games, and someone [on the Bantam team] was watching in the stands, and they'd send a chat in our Teams channel, [saying], ‘So great seeing you guys there, I hope to be just like one of you guys.’”

Natalie Tam (12), whose placement block was during Semester 1 in the Learning Assistance/Life Skills (LALS) class, found that after the semester ended, many of the students in the LALS class expressed disappointment that she was gone. “They approach me [...] and ask to go for a walk together, and ask me, ‘why aren’t you in our class anymore?’,” she described. “Me being able to build that connection, and them wanting me to be there, is very meaningful to me.”