What is the T.O.P.S. Peer Support Programme?
T.O.P.S. is the abbreviation for: Trustworthy Openminded Peer Support. T.O.P.S. helps students to solve conflicts and disputes in simple way and between students. We have been training for 3 years so we are prepared for any eventuality. We want to help GESS students by enriching school life with different activities such as class visits!
– Maximilian Seiler, G-09B
Who are we?
We are 4 students from Grade 9 (Julia, Maxi, Kira, Juliane). We are Peer Leaders and have completed a one-year training programme. We would like to teach you, using fun tactics, how to support other people/students – e.g. how to behave in quarrels/conflicts and how to prevent them if possible. But we are also there to help you out in difficult situations – for example, if you have a fight with someone from your class.
– Juliane Peters, G-09A
Is it fun?
In short, yes. T.O.P.S. is a great programme to learn how to deal with arguments and disputes. You do not only gain a good experience now, but also for later in life. It also strengthens friendships with the other Peer Leaders.
– Kira Brettmann, G-09B
What have you learned through T.O.P.S.?
We learned that conflicts can be resolved in very different ways. We also learned how to be peacemakers/dispute mediators and to resolve complicated dispute situations well for everyone involved. We know what to do, how to do it and when to do it.
– Maximilian Seiler, G-09B
Would you recommend the programme?
It all depends on the person. T.O.P.S. takes a lot of time and effort. We meet every Friday during lunch break for about 45 minutes. If you cannot make time for this, you can’t become a Peer Leader. So think carefully if you really want to participate. But I personally can only recommend T.O.P.S.. T.O.P.S. is a wonderful programme in which you learn how to deal with conflicts in life and gain experiences that you can also apply well later in life.
– Kira Brettmann, G-09B
Was the training to become a peacemaker/dispute mediator difficult?
The training was a lot of fun because we all got along very well and some of us had known each other for a long time. Most of the time we met during lunch breaks, but also once on a Saturday. We even shared pizza together during the breaks or at the end of the day, for example.
– Julia Best, G-09A
How did you hear about the T.O.P.S. – Peer Support program?
One day, a former T.O.P.S. teacher covered a lesson in our class and introduced us to the programme. Others came to know about it through posters and flyers or Ms. März.
– Julia Best, G-09A
Tell us about some of the conflicts that you were able to resolve. Explain how you reacted to the conflict and why you were able to help?
We had a case once when a student came to us and there was a problem with a classmate. We gave him some suggestions on how he might be able to solve the problem. Then, unfortunately, new Covid-19 rules came in and we couldn’t meet with that student again for a while. But when it was possible again, the problem had already been solved – maybe a little bit through our advice and tips. Of course we were very happy about that and we would be happy to solve even more cases.
– Juliane Peters, G-09A
How has the training you have received helped with solving problems?
The training helps us to formulate our sentences better and to improve our expression. It also helps us to structure ourselves better and to lead a conversation in an orderly and organised way. The training shows us how best to proceed and what to do if the conversation escalates or something happens.
– Julia Best, G-09A
This project is supported by the GESS Fund in cooperation with our partner Gehrmann Solutions and is one of many initiatives which are above and beyond the school’s regular offering. Our Primary School (both in the German and in the European section) has already started the training for new Peer Leaders. From the 2nd semester onward, training will also resume in the secondary school of the European section.
