Special Activities

We believe that our mediators work well in the Greenacres School environment because we don’t just mediate disputes, but, we also blend in and talk to students making them feel comfortable at school.

Each year a team of mediators undergo a five week training programme made up of approximately ten sessions. Year 5 mediators go on to become mediator leaders the following year. Mediator leaders help to train new Year 5 and Year 6 mediators.

Mediators have regular meetings with a teacher to discuss current mediations, continue training and also to analyse report forms in order to best select whole school virtues. For example, friendliness, respect, co-operation etc.

To help younger students understand how a mediation works, the mediators perform a role play for them so they feel comfortable around mediators and so they know how mediators can help them. Mediators can also use hand puppets to help resolve disputes between young students.

Mediators make use of a Friendship Spot at our school. This is where students who have nobody to play with go. Mediators can then come along and help them to find someone to play with.

At Greenacres School we introduce a different virtue each term during assembly. We then discuss what types of behaviour mediators are looking for that would support that virtue. The next step is for mediators to select students who have displayed the chosen virtue during the week. For example, playing with someone who feels lonely (friendliness) or letting other students join in a game (co-operation). Mediators then present virtue awards/certificates during assembly to those students.

We believe that our mediators work well in the Greenacres School environment because we don’t just mediate disputes, but, we also blend in and talk to students making them feel comfortable at school.

We believe our mediation programme is a success at Greenacres School because our mediators are an accepted part of school life, they help educate students about virtues, how to resolve disputes, and are encouraged and supported by staff and students.

By Glenys Loke & Barbara Harris


			Why Our Mediators Work Well at Greenacres School
		We believe that our mediators work well in the Greenacres School environment because we don’t just mediate disputes, but, we also blend in and talk to students making them feel comfortable at school. Each year a team of mediators undergo a five week training programme made up of approximately ten sessions. Year 5 mediators go on to become mediator leaders the following year. Mediator leaders help to train new Year 5 and Year 6 mediators. Mediators have regular meetings with a teacher to discuss current mediations, continue training and also to analyse report forms in order to best select whole school virtues. For example, friendliness, respect, co-operation etc. To help younger students understand how a mediation works, the mediators perform a role play for them so they feel comfortable around mediators and so they know how mediators can help them. Mediators can also use hand puppets to help resolve disputes between young students. Mediators make use of a Friendship Spot at our school. This is where students who have nobody to play with go. Mediators can then come along and help them to find someone to play with. At Greenacres School we introduce a different virtue each term during assembly. We then discuss what types of behaviour mediators are looking for that would support that virtue. The next step is for mediators to select students who have displayed the chosen virtue during the week. For example, playing with someone who feels lonely (friendliness) or letting other students join in a game (co-operation). Mediators then present virtue awards/certificates during assembly to those students. We believe that our mediators work well in the Greenacres School environment because we don’t just mediate disputes, but, we also blend in and talk to students making them feel comfortable at school. We believe our mediation programme is a success at Greenacres School because our mediators are an accepted part of school life, they help educate students about virtues, how to resolve disputes, and are encouraged and supported by staff and students. By Glenys Loke & Barbara Harris