Japanese children’s perspectives on the

(Ellie)
Hideo

Could you give me a brief description about peer relations and friendships in your class and school?

Ellie

What?…..…in our school?

Hideo

Yes, in your school. Is it okay to explain about your class or your school.

Ellie

Well……..in my class, everyone has good relationships…..well…..currently peer support activities focus on bullying issues. However, we do not have bullying in my class.

Pupils from other schools mentioned there are some bullying issues, but there is no bullying in our school….I think.

Hideo

Aha…..you mean you do not have bullying in your class and your school, is that right?

Ellie

I have rarely seen it

Hideo

I see.

Well, everyone has good relationships as a whole, is that right?

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

I understand.

Well, why did you choose to be a peer supporter?

Could you explain the reason to me please?

For example, friendships, your belief, influence from family, sympathy…anything.

Ellie

If you won’t say this to anyone, I will share it. …

Hideo

Anything would be okay.

Ellie

My friends, two of them wanted to be a peer supporter. Then they asked me to join it…

Hideo

Aha….you were encouraged by your friends….ohhhhhh

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

Haaaa…

Ellie

Also my mum encouraged me to join the peer support team. Now I am a peer supporter…I cannot believe I did join it.

Hideo

Haaaa….I see.

I understand. Well, how do you feel when you are doing peer support activities?

Positive feeling, negative feeling, satisfying, willing to contribute, wanting to do something good……how do you feel?

Ellie

I would like to improve our school life. Current school life is not bad. But if we make efforts to improve the school life, it would be better……I think.

Hideo

Ummmm…..so you think you need to make more efforts.

Why do you think so?

Ellie

Well, if I work harder, our school life would be better. I can do it if I try.

I would like to show off our superiority to other school pupils

Hideo

Hooo……you want to show your school’s superiority……

Ellie

Yes. Other schools give their presentations about their school activities in the school summits.

Hideo

Ohhhh…..in the school summits…..

Ellie

Well, pupils from other schools explained how they are conducting peer support activities.

When I saw their presentation, I used to think our school is doing better than others.

But nowadays, there are not much difference between our school activities and other school’s activities.

Thus, we need to work harder to outdo other schools and pupils from other schools would think our school is great. Then our school would win fame. Probably I can do it if I work harder.

Hideo

Heeee…..well, I believe whole secondary schools in a city organized the school summits annually. So you are inspired very much from the school summits, is that right?

Ellie

Yes. What can I say….other school showed their audio broad casting (by peer supporter)…..

Hideo

Hot spring? Hot spring?

Ellie

No, audio broadcasting

Hideo

Aha…..I understand.

Ellie

Other school did their audio broadcasting at lunchtime.

In their audio broadcasting, they announced that a water dispenser was broken by someone in school and asked pupils not to break it. This CM was organised by peer supporters, and they give a presentation about this in the school summits.

Hideo

Aha…..other school did it…..

Ellie

Pupils in my school heard about their audio broadcasting from my friends (a peer supporter).

I thought this is a really great idea, thus we tried to do it in my school as well.

So, because of the school summits, we can learn good activities from other schools and also can apply it into our school. Thus, the school summits inspire us to do it.

Hideo

Ahaaa……I see……the school summits are very influential, isn’t it.

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

Well……is that influential…..?

Ellie

I think so………pupils from other schools also imitate our activities, thus we can also apply their good activities into our school. So, we learn something good from each other.

Hideo

If there are no school summits, would you have trouble?

Ellie

I think I need the school summits.

Hideo

If there are no school summits, what would happen?

Ellie

If there are no school summits, we would be satisfied with our activities and ourselves.

Hideo

Ohhhhh….could you explain the reason why?

Ellie

Well……nicely…….errrrrr……I have worked a lot to help during morning assembly, fund-raising activities, and others…….so I may feel that is good enough.

If we do not know other schools’ activities, we would think our supporting activities are the best.

Hideo

I see.

Ellie

If there is the school summit, we would know about other schools….I think it is good idea to have it.

Hideo

If you do not have the school summits, are there any differences in your school life?

Ellie

Ummmm……without the school summits, I would not know about other schools’ information. Thus other schools may be better than our school. If other schools were better than our school, I would do something about it to improve my school.

Hideo

Aha…I see. I understand. Well, in peer support……….well………greeting campaign, cleaning campaign, voluntary social service, fund-raising activities…………….do you think these peer-led activities give a good influence to other pupils?

If you have any example, could you explain to me?

Ellie

Good influence?

Hideo

Do you think peer support give good influence to other pupils?

Ellie

Errrrr…..friends mentioned many peer support activities have been actively performed..

Hideo

Do they mention to you?

Ellie

Yes. I have not had much time to play with my friends. I used to have plenty of time to play with friends, but now I used my time to do peer support activities. Thus, now I struggle to go to social club activities.

Hideo

What is your club?

Ellie

Table tennis.

Hideo

Ohhhh…

Ellie

And……I struggle to attend my club, thus everyone says things to me, like “you cannot attend club activities. Peer support must be very busy activities”.

Many pupils may not know about how peer supporters actively do activities. But our close friends know how peer supporters are working hard and they cannot attend club activities.

So close friends tend to join peer support activities because they want to help us to finish it quickly.

Hideo

Ahaaa….. close friends give you a help, is that right?

Ellie

Yes. It is a good influence. Well, they think if many pupils helped peer supporters to do it, it would be finished it quickly. Thus, they give a help.

Hideo

So you mean if many pupils join the activities, it would be finished quickly. Thus they give you help, is that right?

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

Ahaaaa….that is good.

Ellie

That is the reason why, when I had a cleaning campaign outside the school on an earlier occasion, 50 pupils attended the activities.

Hideo

Ohhhh…..you involved various pupils into the activities, is that right?

Ellie

Hahahaha……many pupils joined.

Hideo

I understand.

Well, could you explain the reason why other pupils do not want to be a peer supporter?

Why do they not actively join the activities?

Why?

Ellie

In terms of my points of view, first of all, pupils may not have enough time to play.

Hideo

Ohhh….

Ellie

After school, sometime peer supporters are called out for activities……or during break time they are called out.

Some peer supporters need to leave school earlier than usual and go to the school summits during class. Some pupils who have good school records do not want to leave school earlier.

Hideo

Aha…they prefer to stay to study…..

Ellie

Yes. Pupils have to play…..also they are not good at speaking in front of people…well

Even some pupils who are good at speaking in front of people, do not like doing some bothersome activities……..thus pupils do not want to be a peer supporter.

Hideo

Aha….well…some pupils do not want to do it, is that right?

Pupils are able to join the activities, but they do not want to be a peer supporter……

Ellie

Activities sound joyful….but….

Hideo

Pupils may not like to take a lead for others, is that right?

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

So pupils just follow peer supporters to do activities, is that right?

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

So, when peer supporters worked harder, pupils would join the activities. But they do not actively take a lead for others, is that right?

Ellie

Pupils would like to cooperate with peer supporters, but they do not want to speak in front of people…..something like that……ummm

Hideo

I see……that is shyness…they are shy..….why?

Ellie

Yes, pupils are shy persons…..I think.

Hideo

Ohhhh….I see.

Pupils are shy persons…..

I understand. Well….let me see……ummm

Well, are there any differences between peer supporters and pupils?

Ellie

Ummmmm…..

Hideo

Do you think there is no difference?

Ellie

I think peer supporters are eager to do it…..

Hideo

What?

Ellie

Peer supporters are egotistical persons in a passive sense

Hideo

Ohhh….

Ellie

They are eager to do it by themselves…….they want to stand in front of people.

They want to say, “we need to do it”…..ummm…..what can I say….other pupils also take the actions, but they do not want to take a lead…..

Hideo

Ahaaaa….other pupils want to take actions…

Ellie

Yes. They are interested in peer support activities…I think.

Hideo

They are interested in it, but it seems difficult for them to take a step for it, is that right?

Ellie

I think so.
Hideo

Were you interested in peer support activities?

Ellie

Ahaaa….my senior pupils were doing peer support.

They looked very busy, but I thought they were cool.

Hideo

Ahaa….you thought they were cool.

Ohhhh…..

Ellie

One senior member in a club was a peer supporter.

She played an active part vigorously.

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well, peer supporters………..let me see…….others…….other pupils do not want to be a peer supporter? They do not want to, is that right?

Ellie

If possible, they do not want to.

Hideo

…..if possible……..

Is that bothersome? What is the critical reason?

Ellie

They would not have much time.

Hideo

They would not have much time…

I see.

Well, could you explain the reason why schools need peer support systems?

If we do not have it, what is going on?

Ellie

Yes…..let me see……rather than teachers ask pupils to do the things… like “clean up your class” and “we will go for cleaning campaign”……..we are now peer supporters….. when pupils (peer supporters) ask other pupils to do something, other pupils are more supportive. Because they think peer supporters are working hard…….

Hideo

You mean it is better that pupils asked other pupils to do rather than teachers and adults do, is that right?

Ellie

Errrrr…….sometimes it is better that teachers ask pupils to do something. But when asking pupils to do some activities, I would like to ask pupils to attend or help in terms of pupils’ viewpoints. This means we would like to ask pupils in a respectful manner.

I think it is a better way rather than teachers ask them to do it.

Also, we share pupils’ viewpoints, which only pupils can understand..

Hideo

Are these the pupil’s views?

Do you think the teachers cannot understand it?

They do not know it, is that right?

Ellie

Ummmm……let me see……..in our school…….there are not much..….but bullying happens somewhere teachers cannot see..

Hideo

Ahaaaa……you have this kinds of problem, is that right?

Ellie

What?......when I have listened to your talk, I thought so.

Hideo

Well, when you say teachers cannot understand some secret issues, you mean some negative issues, is that right?

Ellie

Yes. When some pupils smoke cigarettes, they smoke somewhere the teachers cannot see them. But pupils know their deeds because we pupils usually share the same space in school.

Hideo

Ahaaa….

Ellie

Except in special circumstances, we pupils stay in a class. When something bad happens, pupils can see and understand the issues. But teachers do not stay in a class room (they stay in a staff room). Also the teachers in charge change annually ….

Hideo

Ahaaaa…I see.

In term of pupils’ views, pupils also can have opportunities to prevent some issues…………….pupils are also staying together in a class….is that right?

Ellie

Pupils are getting closer, but they have some distance between each other.

Hideo

Umm….Distance?

Do you feel any distance between peer supporters and other pupils?

Ellie

Ummm…….sometimes I feel so.

I was told by some pupils things like, “you are a peer supporter, thus you do some activities actively” .

Hideo

So you were told, is that right?

Ellie

I was told…

Hideo

Could you explain how you were told by others?

Ellie

I was often told by teachers….the things like “you are a peer supporter, that’s the reason why……” “You are a peer supporter, so you should…..”..

Hideo

So, the teachers regard you as a peer supporter?

Ellie

I do not like to be called that. peer supporters are also pupils the same as other pupils.

Hideo

Ahaaa….what is that…..other pupils see peer supporters in a special light, is that right?

Ellie

Yes. But I do not like to be seen in such a way. As I think peer supporters need to be closer to other pupils

Hideo

Ahaaa. I see.

Ellie

Other peer supporters (expect me) are able to speak clearly, and also they seem to have leaderships. When peer supporters are staying with other pupils, we tend to talk to other pupils clearly……………..also we often listen to what other pupils want us to do.

Thus, I would like to be a peer supporter who is able to both listen to others carefully and speak to them clearly.

Hideo

Ahaaaa. I see.

Well, so peer supporters do not want to be distinguished from other pupils and they wish they could involve other pupils, is that right?

Ellie

Yes, that is what I want.

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well, do you have any ideas to improve current peer support systems and activities?

If you have, could you explain to me please?

Do you have any ideas to have better peer support?

Any?

Ellie

Muuumm…….

Hideo

How about the greeting campaign? Cleaning campaign? Fund-raising activities? The school summits? If you have any ideas to improve the activities, could you explain to me?

Ellie

Well……..peer supporters generally decide something to do, but I want other pupils to mention their ideas to peer supporters. I want to listen to what other pupils want to do.

Thus rather peer supporters actively take a lead, we want to listen to others’ opinions. This will improve peer support……I think.

Hideo

Ahaaa……listening to others’ opinions will produce the better peer support, is that right?

Ellie

Something like that……….let me see…….what they want to do……..now we peer supporters are doing some activities………….what can I say…….. ..these are already decided upon beforehand….I think.

Hideo

What?

Ellie

Well, we need to do fund-raising activities, then we think about how to do it.

Hideo

What?

Ellie

We are talking about it in such a way. Rather than we think we need to do fund-raising activities, we need to think about any other better activities….I think.

For example, when we talk about any ideas, they may only mention the greeting campaign. The peer supporters are limited.

I believe some pupils have better ideas they want to do. But they do not mention their ideas and opinions. They have difficulties to tell their opinions to others.

Therefore, I want to create more opportunities for peer supporters to listen to others’ opinions. This will help other pupils to have a better school life.

Hideo

Ahaaa…..I see.

Well, you want to adopt others’ opinions, then you want to do the activities, is that right?

Other pupils also feel peer support activities are carried out by everyone, is that right?

Ellie

If pupils’ ideas were adopted, they believe they need to do these activities. Because they mentioned their ideas, they need to do it.

…….and……..other pupils also think “I need to do it if my friends were doing the activities”.

Thus the number of pupils who join the activities would increase.

Hideo

Ohoo. I see!

Well, you mean pupils ask their friends, is that right?

They may think things like “if my friends do it, I would like to do it as well”, is that right?

Ellie

If one of the peer supporters would like to do something, other peer supporters also would do it. If there are more opportunities to do the peer support activities, it would increase the numbers of pupils who join the activities.

Hideo

I see.

Ellie

If one of the pupils started doing the activities without saying “I will do it”…………what can I say…………….if two of three friends want to do it, the last one would think the things like “I need to join as well”.

Hideo

I see…..

Ellie

Well....in that way, many pupils join the activities, then peer support would be better….

Hideo

Aha….well…….everyone would actively join the activities, is that right?

Ellie

It is getting easier for pupils to join the activities……

Hideo

Ohhhhh. I see!

I understand.

So you believe peer support activities will be better, is that right?

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

Well, if you have any good experiences when you are doing peer support activities?

Any experiences you had.

Ellie；

良い経験？

Participant 2

Good experiences?

Hideo

Any good experiences…… things like…..improving your friendships, improving your greeting attitudes….

Ellie

I have often been praised by the teachers.

Hideo

Ohhh…….that is good.

Any examples?

Ellie

Let me see…………last week, we were scolded by the teacher because we were noisy during a class…..well…..once………….when I needed to memorise some comments for peer support activities, I really focused on memorising the comments. Then, after these experiences, I am easily able to focus some other things as well.

Hideo

Ohhh….

Ellie

I could improve my ability to memorise something.

Hideo

That is great.

Ellie

Also, I improved my school records.

Hideo

Ohhhh…..your school records were also improved…….ohhhhh

Ellie

At the exams, I really used to gain only about 200 points in total, but now I can gain about 400 points.

Hideo

Ohhhhh.

Ellie

I was praised by the teachers. I was happy about it.

Hideo

That is great. You can do it if you work hard.

Ellie

Now I am able to think I need to work hard.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Ellie

I could have a sense of responsibility

Hideo

Hooooo

Ellie

During the presentations, I needed to say my comments to video. If you failed to do it, this would affect others. Thus, I really made an effort to memorise my comments. ……in this way, I made efforts to memorise something to get high scores in my study. Then I tried to do it again and again. Just I made efforts for it….

Hideo

Ohhhhh….I see

Do you have any good experiences when you became a peer supporter?

Any emotional changes? Any growth? Relationships?

Ellie

Now teachers put their trust in me and ask me to do something.

Hideo

What……any examples?

Ellie

When I was in the year 7, I was a bit noisy during a class. Thus teachers did not trust me. But after I became a peer supporter, teacher put their trust in me and they often ask me to do something.

Hideo

Ohhhhh. I see.

Well….the teachers ask you something thus you think you are trusted by the teachers, is that right?

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

I understand.

Well, what is the most enjoyable thing when you are doing peer support activities?

Ellie

I could have opportunities to talk to other peer supporters from other schools.

Hideo

What do you mean?

Ellie

Peer support and school life as well…..

Hideo

Aha…….the school summits, is that right?

Ellie

Yes. In the school summits or other activities, I could meet other peer supporters.

Hideo

At the school summits?

Ellie

Or fund-raising activities……

Hideo

Ohhhh…

Ellie

There are many activities, thus I often have met other peer supporters from other schools.

At the beginning, I really did not know them, thus we were very quiet. We did not talk to each other. But now, everyone…..well….we get used to say their names.

Some peer supporters from other schools talk to me when I met them outside the school. Then I could talk to them about other topics without school life. I was a shy person, but I can talk to various pupils now.

Hideo

Ohhhh…..you have overcome your shyness, is that right?

Ellie

I have not overcome my shyness, but it is better than before.

Hideo

Ahaaa…….it is good for you to be a peer supporter.

That is great.

Well, do you have any things you do not like when you are doing peer support?

Ellie

Well…….the things I do not like?

Hideo

Yes.

The things you do not like…..

…the things like…..any negative experiences…..

Ellie

Yes, I have many things…

Hideo

You have many……..so, you can share a lot….

Ellie

Let me see…..well….really some peer supporters except me to have good relationships.

Hideo

Ahaaa..

Ellie

At the beginning, other peer supporters did not like me. Now the things are getting better, but still I do not have good relationships with them.

Hideo

Aha….that is the issue…..hummmm.

Ellie

Sometimes I was excluded from them.

Hideo

Aha……does it happen among peer supporters?

Ellie

Well………usually they have been staying together as a friend, but I have stayed with other group of friends. They went to Karaoke together…..

Hideo

Mummmm…

Ellie

…it seems like……..usually I stay with my friends who are not peer supporters, and I do not stay with peer supporters. I have good relationships with my friends……and……what can I say…….their personalities are different from the current peer supporters……….totally different…..the exact opposite.

Hideo

Mummm……I understand.

Ellie

That……….everyone who are my friends are generally…….well……. a bit noisy during classes……I stay with them. But some peer supporters seem to dislike these kind of pupils……..

Hideo

Ahhhhh…..

Ellie

…..that’s what they said……

Hideo

That is not good……haaaa……that is a tough situation…

Ellie

….I feel small in terms of various points.....currently

Hideo

I see……..you have had a rough time, haven’t you?

Mummm……I understand.

Do you have any other negative experiences?

Ellie

Let me see….

Hideo

Anything, you can share..

Ellie

I have too many things to memorise…

Hideo

You have many things to memorise, is that right?

Ellie

Hahahaha………well…..for presentations or morning assembly……just the day before I was passed manuscripts for them by the teachers…

Hideo

So you were passed that by the teachers the day before, is that right?

Ellie

Hahahah……I was passed that the day before…….I was asked to be the MC for morning assemblies just the day before it……….thus, I was passed the manuscripts, which I need to go through…….that is tough.

Hideo

Ahaaaa….
Ellie

I needed to memorise it all night.

Hideo

That is difficult.

I believe you have more things you do not like….

Ellie

Ahaaa….

Hideo

Yes, you can share many…..

Ellie

Well….but……

Hideo

I feel the secrets. That is fine.

Any other?

Things you do not like….

Ellie

What…….things I do not like……..

Hideo

Ahaa……..

Ellie

Well……the teachers ask me to do some unpleasant things…..

Hideo

Hahaha…..any examples?

Ellie

The teachers ask me to do something uncool. If I do it in front of people, I would be uncool…..the teachers forced me to do it…..

Hideo

For example, what kinds of things do the teachers ask you to do?

Ellie

Let me see……

I was asked to say “Let’s go!” …..I need to say it alone….

Hideo

Hahaha…….

so you did it didn’t you?

Then, there is a heavy silence……(among pupils).

Ellie

The teachers mentioned it would make other pupils feel fun, but I said “I do not want to do it”…….but the teachers said “it would definitely go well”.

Then, when I did it, everyone was very quiet and I was so ashamed.

Hideo

Ohhh…..

Ellie

…..something like that………….things I do not like……..

Hideo

Ohhhh…..I see. I understand.

Well, next…

Well……I believe you have some difficulties when you are dong peer support activities.

Ellie

Mummm….

Hideo

During peer support activities.

During the greeting campaign, and cleaning campaign, do you have any things you do not like?

Ellie

No, not really……

Hideo

Ohoo…….you do not have things you do not like….

Well……you do not have any particular things.

Do you have any difficulties when you are doing peer support activities?

Ellie

Participant 2

Difficulties I have experienced?

Hideo

Yes.

Ellie

………….

Hideo

You do not have any……?

You just do peer support, is that right?

Ellie

Well……well……..most difficulties are tough…

Thus…..what can I say…..I strongly feel the sense of accomplishment…rather than feel difficulties..

Well……if I try to do it, I would be able to do it…….I think.

Hideo

Huuuuuum…I see….

Well, you try to do it even if you feel it is difficult to do it, is that right?

Ellie
Participant 2

Teachers often said to me “it does not matter if you fail”, thus I do not need to make it perfect.

Teachers also often said, “it does not matter if you fail, thus just try it.”

Hideo

Ohhh…..do you think in that way as well?

Ellie

If I made it, it would be great. If I could not make it, I try to think how to make it next time.

Hideo

Ohhhh. I see.

Well, did you ask the teachers for help when you have difficulties and problems?

Ellie

Yes. I grumbled to them

Hideo

You grumbled?

Ellie

I have asked Mr Tanaka (a teacher) many times about how I need to do it.

Hideo

Ahaaa…

Ellie

Then, he taught me how to do it.

Hideo

How? What?.......well….have you received any advice from teachers and other pupils?

Ellie

Yes.
Hideo

What was it teachers’ advice?

Ellie

Well…..say…….I was told I should have confidence.

Hideo

Ohhhhh…

Ellie

If I look like I have less confidence, other pupils tend not to rely on me, and they do not like this.

Hideo

Ohhhh……why do other pupils dislike this situation?

Ellie

Well……..I am…….if I look like I have no confidence when I encouraged other pupils to do something…………when I stood in front of others without confidence, I was told that I was not convincing……

Hideo

I see…..

Ellie

Well……I am not bad……I am not bad at speaking in front of people….

I was told that I should have confidence and be stately.

Hideo

Ohhh…..you were told by the teachers, weren’t you.

I see.

Did you receive any support from other pupils?

Ellie

Muuuummm…….when I have something to memorise, they did it together with me.

My friends helped testing me to remember what I need to say…

Hideo

Ohhhh.

That is interesting, interesting.

Ellie

….and also I have asked my friend to do something for me…

Hideo

Do you have any negative views toward the difficulties and problems?

Have you had any negative feelings?

Ellie

Yes, I have.

Hideo

Well, do you have any good idea when you tackle difficulties?

Ellie

…….for me?.....what?.....

Hideo

What is the important thing when you tackle difficulties?

Ellie

I should think if I try it, I can do it.

Well, I think it depends on my mind……...like….it seems tough, but I will try to do it……rather than thinking it seems tough, thus, I may not do it.

Hideo

Ohhhhhhh.

Ellie

If I think it is possible to do it, it is possible for me to do it.

If I think it is impossible to do it, it is impossible for me to do it.

Hideo

I see……so it depends on your determination, is that right?

So positively…….

Ellie

Yes, I think positively…….

Hideo

That is good. Hahaha….

Ellie

Hahaha……..

Hideo

I see.

Well, have you changed your mind after tackling difficulties?

Ellie

Change?

I have not had much…

When I face difficulties next time…..I believe I can make it, because I tried to tackle difficult issues before. If I am asked to do something difficult, I am eager to do it positively…..what can I say……my mind has been changed positively…..

Hideo

Positively?......you mean you would like to face difficult issues, is that right?

Ellie

I think so.

Hideo

Ohhhh..

Ellie

Because I have tried to do that, so I think I can do this as well.

Hideo

I see. Well, you do something harder step by step.

I understand.

Well, just before, you mentioned you would like to involve other pupils into the activities.

Do you have any good idea to involve other pupils into the activities?

Ellie

Good ideas?

Hideo

Any?

If you have any idea, could you explain to me?

How can you involve other pupils into activities?

　
Ellie

Even if I directly asked pupils to do something, most of them would not do it……thus….rather than asking them directly………..well………..in terms of my experience,

When I encouraged my friend Aya…….well……so….I said “there are some good looking men, so would you like to join?”……hahaha……

Hideo

Mummmmm….

Ellie

Let’s say……..there was a good looking boy, and he came for peer support as a club activity.

Hideo

Was he from the other secondary school?

Ellie

Errrr…….well…..from our school……he needed to join it because of his club.

Hideo

Ohhh…..

Ellie

Some pupils needed to join the peer support activities because of the club. Then I mentioned that a good looking boy would be there, thus if you joined the activities, you may see him there……

Hideo

Ahaaa…

Ellie

Shall I explain more details?
Hideo

Yes.

Ellie

What can I say………cleaning campaign……when I was doing this……..well…..

Pupils who enjoy cleaning campaign…….

Shall I explain a good experience?

Hideo

Yes.

Ellie

…everyone gets to know the activities, then they said “shall we go for it?”

Hideo

What?

Ellie

I need to say something, which make other pupils to feel interested in

Hideo

Ohhh……by saying something which make other pupils feel interested in, you can involve them into it, is that right?

Ellie

So………well……..yes……when I said “he was there last time”, then my friend said, “ohhh, I would like to join it!”…..she said something like that.

Hideo

Ohhhhhh.

Ellie

Some friends said, “please ask me to join next time”……..well………if I said this kind of thing, I am able to involve them into the activities……

Hideo

So, you make them feel like they want to join, is that right?

Ellie

Yes……well……if my friends joined it, I would do something, which would make them feel joy.

Hideo

Ohhh.

So….actually you did it, is that right?

Ellie

Yes…..I did it. Well……what can I say…. I would do anything in order to make everyone feel joy……I think.

Hideo

I see.

How do you contact pupils who show negative attitudes towards peer supporters and peer-led activities?

Ellie

Pupils who show negative attitudes?

Hideo

How do you contact pupils who are not supportive for the activities?

Ellie

Even when I talk to these kind of pupils, they do not understand our intentions. Thus, I do not talk to them….but still I am able to show how I am working hard.

Hideo

Ohhhh..

Ellie

That…………..I can do some practices of presentations nearby pupils who are not supportive.

I try to practice regularly, and show them how I am working hard behind the scenes.

Hideo

Ohhhhh……you do that toward pupils who are not interested in….

Well…..you show how you are doing……..

Ellie

Yes……..it is difficult to do so, but I have shown them how I am working..

Hideo

Muuummm….I see.

Well……when you feel down because of peer support, how do you cheer yourself up?

Ellie

By myself?

Hideo

Yes.

Ellie

I cannot cheer myself up….

Hideo

Impossible?

Ellie

Pupils around………they cheer me up. I am cheered up by them.

Hideo

I see.

Ellie

Often I feel that I am not alone….

Hideo

Ahaaa….I see

Ellie

Pupils around me gave me support very much…... everyone…well supported me, and this makes me feel happier………thus I think I cannot cheer myself up alone.

Hideo

Ahaaa……..yes.

Well, do you receive any help from your teachers?

Was is useful?

Ellie

Yes.

Hideo

If you have any example, could you explain?

Ellie

Things I have talked about a little while ago….

Hideo

Well, what do you think about peer support activities?

Activities in your school…

Ellie

Mummm…..

Hideo

What do you think?

Ellie

I do not know about it, because I cannot take that objectively.

Well…..pupils from other schools and people in a local community mentioned our peer support activities are great.

A while ago, some TV broadcast stations broadcast the school summits and anti-bullying drama …………….we are told that your peer support activities are great……….but, I cannot understand how great our activities are….

Hideo

Ahaaa…..I see

Ellie

But…….I just do what I can do…….so I do not know if our peer supports are great or not….

But……I think I can go for the upper levels

Hideo

Ohhhhhh….I see

Ellie

I believe our school is number 1 in terms of peer support activities.

Hideo

Ohhhh….I see

Well, you would like to go for the upper levels, is that right?

Ellie

I do not want to lose to any pupils from other schools.

Hideo

Ohhh….

Ellie

Currently, everyone mentioned that our school is great. But if other schools make efforts to catch up with us, they would outstrip our school.

If I am satisfied with the current situation, they would outstrip us.

I do not want to lose to them.

Hideo

Ohhh…

I understand.

Well…I think now peer supporters cooperate with other peer supporters from other schools to have the school summits together. So what do you think about the school summits?

The school summits?

Ellie

Yes, I think that is great.

Hideo

Any example?

Ellie

Let’s say……..pupils will work as MCs……..well…….it is generally difficult for pupils to be quiet when someone started talking in front of them. Definitely some pupils do as they please. But whenever I joined peer supporters’ gatherings, everyone think we need to take responsibilities for something. Thus if someone started talking, everyone listened to him/her and no one was chatting.

Also MCs were selected from peer supporters.

We have made some bookmarks by ourselves……at the fund-raising activities, we went through shopping streets. We called at every shop and spoke to its staff….and…….this did not happen to our group, but the members of the other group were scolded…..

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Ellie

(They were told that) “Even you try to do a fund-raising activity, you cannot complete it”

Hideo

Who said that?

Ellie

Staff in shops said, “now you are doing a fund-raising activity”. “But when I went to the stricken area, the areas were not much damaged”………then peer supporters were scolded and some of them cried………….I do now know what I am talking about….

Hideo

Yes, I understand you.

Ellie

I am a bit confused….

Hideo

Yes….the school summits play a very important role…..is that right?

Ellie

Yes, it plays a very important role.

Hideo

If there were no school summits, would you have trouble?

Ellie

If there are no school summits……….

Hideo

If there were no school summits, would you have trouble?

Ellie

Pupils would not think much about their school life…..I think

Hideo

Ahaaa…

Ellie

I think it is natural to greet each other during greeting campaign……greeting campaign…at the moment…….still some pupils do not greet to us when we greet to them. However, when I went to other schools, I saw that other peer supporters had some schemes to encourage pupils to greet. If we could not make efforts like other schools do, we would not improve the current situation…..probably…….some pupils do not greet at all…….thus, if we do not make efforts, other schools also could not improve their current situations……I think.

Hideo

Ahaaa….thank you.

Well…..I would like to ask you the last question.

If you were not peer supporter, do you think you would take actions actively?

Ellie

I think I would not take actions actively.

Hideo

Could you explain the reason why?

Ellie

Let me see……..when I was the first year student (of secondary school)……whenever we were asked to work for the cleaning campaign and other activities, I really thought that’s’ bothersome.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Well…now you are actively taking actions, aren’t you? This suggests if pupils were given some encouragement, they would take action actively…….do you think so?

Ellie

I think if they were given some inspirations, they would do well.

Hideo

Do you have that kind of experience?

Ellie

Well….as I said just now, my senior peer supporters……………up to the present, I can be bothered to do activities……I thought someone would do it for us……….even I cannot join the cleaning activities, I thought someone else would do that. But I saw some senior peer supporters were working very hard to encourage other pupils to join the activities.

When I saw someone is working hard for us, I thought I wanted to give some help.

In my point of view, this kind of episode made me join peer support activities…

Hideo

Ahaaaa…..you mean, maybe you had been given the critical influence from other pupils, is that right?

Ellie

As you thought, if some strangers were working hard for us, I would not think about it much. But if my close friends were working hard, I would like to join their activities….

Hideo

Ahaaaa….I understand.

Finally, do you have anything to tell me?

Ellie

I want to improve school life, thus I would like to listen to what other pupils’ opinions.

Hideo

Do you have any other comments?

Ellie

No...

Hideo

I am sorry for asking you many times.

Ellie

Hahahaha…..

Hideo

Thank you very much.