Japanese children’s perspectives on the

(Helen)
Hideo;

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

Helen

Ummmm…..relations?

Hideo

You can say anything.

Troubled school?

Helen

No……….when we were in year 7, our friends behaved badly. There was a lot of fighting and violence. But when we were in year 8, we were becoming more calm during classes.

Ummm….after all, each pupil increased their awareness…..Ummm…….

Ummm…..among friends…..ummm…..well………in club, pupils have good relationships…

Hideo

Ahaaa…

Helen

My club is an art club. Well, our relationships in the club are so good. Well…….senior pupils are so kind, thus I can be frank with them.

Ummm….in my class…..what can I say…..in pupils in my grade…….

Well……we are getting calm recently…..ummm……I think.

Hideo

Your friends are getting calm, is that right?

Helen

Yes. We are getting calm very much.

Hideo

Well, does any bullying occur?

Helen

Bullying……well…….what can I say……well…….to tell the truth, there are some bullying in my grade.

Well…….ummmm….some teachers know some pupils who are bullied.

Hideo

Ohhh…teachers know that, is that right?

Helen

Yes. Ahhh…….teachers have been asking pupils who are bullied, about bullying.

But these pupils do not tell the truth. Because they think if they tell the truth about bullying, bullies may revenge on them. Thus, these pupils do not tell the truth and this do not help to solve the bullying issues.

Hideo

Ummmmm.

I see.

Well, peer supporters need to make efforts to tackle it.

Helen

Yes, it is true.

Hideo

We want to do something for it.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Well, the next question.

Why did you choose to be a peer supporter?

Could you explain the reason why?

For example, because you have sense of sympathy, friendship, or some kinds of belief……..or influence of your family…..

Helen

Ahhhh…..at first….well…….at the end of the first year in secondary school, I was encouraged by a teacher to be a peer supporter. When I was in the primary school, I used to be a member of primary school student council and also a class representative.

Ummmm…….since the teacher kindly asked me to be a peer supporter…….also I was interested in it…….I wanted to devote myself to something…….I wanted to find something I can devote myself to…………..ummm…….anyway…..because of a teacher’s influence, I joined peer support.

Hideo

Ahhhh……if the teacher did not ask you to join, do you think you would have joined it?

Helen

Ummm…….when I was a first year pupil, I would hesitate to join…..

Hideo

I see……..well.

How do you feel when you are doing peer support? Also what do you think about your activities?

For example, you may have negative or positive opinions…….or you are satisfied with it…….or still you want to do something extra……….you can share anything.

Helen

Ummm……..well………at first, when I was a first year pupil in the secondary school, all other peer supporters except me were senior pupils. Thus, I just followed their activities and I could do anything. But now I am a senior pupil we have a different atmosphere. I really need to work harder and have many things to do. ……

Ummmm……in days gone by…….I had a half-hearted attitude and did now know the details of the activities…now I am actively doing and thinking about our activities.

Ummm……I am very satisfied.

Hideo

Ahhh…..well….you are satisfied, is that right?

Helen

Yes………..ahhh………..

Hideo

Well….I think you are doing various things, aren’t you?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Are you always think about your activities?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I see. Well I understand.

The next question.

Well, I believe you are doing various activities like greeting campaign, voluntary social service…..

Do you think these peer-led activities give good influence to your school life?

How peer support activities give good influence to other pupils and the whole school?

You can share anything.

Helen

How?

Hideo

Yes, how.

Helen

Ummmm…….

Hideo

Do you think peer support gives good influence to your school?

Helen

Yes, it greatly do.

Well….I was doing volunteer activities since when I was a first year pupil.

Comparing the last year’s volunteer activities, currently much more pupils join the activities……maybe participant increased twofold.

Hideo

Ohhh…..why do participants increase?

Helen

Ummmm…….what can I say……well…….we have continuously done the activities.

We give a brief report in morning assembly.

Ummmm……well….also we encourage other pupils to join at lunch time through school public address system.

Some pupils come to see volunteer activities because of out of mere curiosity.

Then, eventually about 100 pupils joined. Hahahahha.

Hideo

Ohhhhh.

Helen

Many pupil now come to join.

Hideo

Ahhh. Well, you mean some pupils who did not join before, now join the activities, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Why does this happen?

Helen

Ummmm………Ummmm…..

Hideo

Why?

Helen

Well…..maybe…..in my experience, pupils who joined volunteer activities, encourage other pupils to join the next activities together…….

Hideo

Ahhhh…..pupils encourage other pupils to join, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

You mean, they say “shall we do it together?”

Pupils ask their friends to join, is that right?

Helen

Pupils ask their friends to join.

Hideo

Ohhhhh.

When their friends are asked to come, they would come to join, is that right?

Helen

They would come to join.

Hideo

If teachers encourage other pupils to join, do you think they would join the activities?

Helen

They would come to join. Some pupils would not come, but most other pupils are coming when they are encouraged by their friends. Almost everyone.

Hideo

Ahhh.

I see.

Could you explain the reason why other pupils did not want to be a peer supporter?

Helen

Ummmm…..

Hideo

Could you explain the reason why they are not actively working?
Helen

Ahhhh…….what can I say……they are not good at speaking in front of people. Therefore…….what can I say……behind other’s back, some pupils take actions………some other pupils tend to join the activities when many pupils are taking actions.

Well……umm……some pupils actively join the activities when they cannot be seen by others.

But if other pupils pay attention to them, these pupils cannot take action…ummm…they are so shy….

Hideo

Well..….you means these pupils generally would like to contribute, is that right?

Helen

Ummm….some pupils really want to contribute, but if they contribute they cannot have enough time for their club activities and private study…………often pupils need to go to school for peer support preparation on Saturday and Sunday………thus some pupils need to go to cramming schools……….thus, pupils who need to go to cramming schools try not to join peer support activities.

Hideo

Ahhh……you mean some pupils want to join peer support activities. But because of cramming schools, their short private time, their shyness……they try not to…………..but they still want to do something for it……is that right?

Helen

Well……..ahhh…….well…….some pupils still make effort to join peer support activities.

Hideo

Ohhhhhh.

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

Helen

well….there are no differences between peer supporters and other pupils.

Hideo

Same? Well, you mean if you encourage other pupils to join the activities, they would join, is that right?

Helen

Some pupils would like to join………but…ummm…….once we have an opportunity to have a student drama, many pupils prefer to take some responsibilities about something not noticeable…..like making stage props……thus many pupils wanted to take responsibility for making stage props.

Not many pupils take responsibilities as actors and actresses. If these actors and actresses are encouraged to be peer supporters, I believe they can readily join the peer support team…ummm.

Hideo

I see. Well, these pupils can join the peer support team, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

If they become peer supporters, they can manage to do it, is that right?

Helen

Yes, they can do.

Hideo

Could you explain why they can manage to do it?

Helen

Ummm……..errr……..

Hideo

Why?

If they are not peer supporters, do you think they can actively do the peer support activities?

Helen

I think they can do.

Ummm….

Hideo

If you were not a peer supporter, do you think you actively join the peer support activities?

Helen

Ummm……well……I can do activities together with peer supporters…..like volunteer activities.

Ummm……maybe….even if I am not a peer supporter, maybe I would actively join the activities such as volunteer activities……..ummm……maybe.

Hideo

I see. Well, there are no differences between peer supporters and other pupils, is that right?

Helen

Ummmmm…..ummm…..well………some pupils’ morale is high like a peer supporters….but……ummm….

Hideo

Are there some pupils who have low morale?

Helen

Hahahaha…….yes…….

Hideo

Hahahah.

Well, do you think there is any difference between peer supporters and other pupils? Or between pupils who actively join the activities and pupils who do not actively join?

If there are any examples, could you explain to me please?

Helen

Difference?

Hideo

Yes… you tell me anything.

Helen

Ahhhh……yes.

Hideo

What is the difference?

Helen

Ummm……..well….what can I say….even if some pupils are not peer supporters, they actively join the activities. But some other pupils are not active at all. Umm…….there are no differences between peer supporters and pupils who actively join activities.

Hideo

You mean some pupils have high morale like peer supporters do, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Helen

Hahahaha

Fine……..ummm…….well…..some pupils could improve themselves after joining the peer support team……ummm…..what can I say…..ummmmm

Hideo

I see. Joining the peer support team is a good opportunity for some pupils to improve themselves…

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

If some pupils are shy……

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

They could manage to speak in front of people, is that right?

Helen

Yes. I was so shy, but I can speak now

Hideo

Ohhhh…..that is good for you.

Helen

Hahhahahah.

Well….ummm……maybe there are not much differences.

If pupils join the peer support team, they can change themselves…..ummm…….not much…ummm…

Hideo

Is there not much difference?

Helen

Not much difference.

Well……some pupils like me, can manage to speak in front of people after becoming a peer supporter. In days gone by, I could not speak in front of people and my heart was beating fast…

In this regard, I have improved …………ummm…….then…….this creates a small difference between peer supporter and others………I think.

Hideo

You, peer supporter could learn by experience, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Well….when peer supporters have not started their activities yet, do you think there are not much difference between peer supporters and other pupils?

Helen

There are not differences.

Hideo

Ohhhhhh

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Well…..I feel peer support provides good opportunities with pupils to improve themselves.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

If pupils become peer supporter, they can improve themselves.

Also if pupils are involved in peer support activities, they can improve themselves too.

Is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I think so.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well, could you explain the reason why school needs peer support activities?

Helen

Er……..errrr…..

Er……that is………

Hideo

Why? Do you think the school need it?

Helen

Er…..umm…..

Hideo

If schools do not have peer support systems, you would be in trouble?

Helen

I may be in trouble..…ummm….what can I say, if teachers actively encourage pupils to join the activities………ummm…….pupils may show their cool-hearted attitudes. Some pupils cannot manage to follow their teachers who have high morale……….

Hahaha……..well if pupils encourage other pupils, they tend to listen to what pupils are saying. Thus they (pupils) can change their attitudes…..ummm

Hideo

Pupils easily listen to what other pupils say……….rather than teachers asking them, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Why?

Helen

Ummmm….what can I say….ummm…..well……I cannot say it is because the period of rebelliousness…but, pupils have feeling of rivalry toward teachers……..ummm…..say…..some pupils do not like them…….they feel a bit annoyed…….

Hahahha…ummm…….this may be a common issue in lower secondary schools……..what can I say…..

well, peer supporters can grow together with other pupils. Thus……ummm…….it is important for pupils’ to help in order to improve a whole school.

Hideo

Ummm……do you think pupils’ help has a big influence?

Helen

I think so.

Hideo

Ohhh. You feel so when you are working as a peer supporter?

Helen

Ummm……well……..at morning assembly, when I give a feedback about some activities, most pupils carefully and quietly listen to me.

Well…ummm……..compared with last year, pupils’ behaviours have been much improved.

Thus, I am a bit nervous when I speak in front of them.

Hideo

Hahaha…

Helen

Hahahaha.

Ummm.

Hideo

Ahaaa. I see. Well, you think school needs peer support systems, is that right?

Helen

Yes

Hideo

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

If you have some ideas, could you explain to me please?

Helen

Ummm.

Hideo

Do you have any ideas?

Helen

I have been working with current peer supporters for 6 months.

We have only 6 months’ experience, and we are still not used to some issues……also we still do not know some things about peer support. Ummm…..

Ummm…….in this case………..we need to get used to………….someone……….what can I say…ummm…

Hideo

Do you have any ideas to improve?

Helen

Ideas to improve?

Hideo

If you have, please explain.

Helen

Ummmm…….

Ummmmm……..

Hideo

How can you improve peer support systems?

Helen

What?

Hideo

You can tell anything.

What is your ideal peer support? Ideal one.

Helen

Idea one is……ummmmm….well……..I would like to cooperate with pupils who actively join peer support activities in order to encourage other pupils who are not active to become active.

Hideo

Could you explain the reason why you want to involve other pupils into peer support activities?

Helen

Well……some pupils are not supportive at all………these pupils tend to join activities if the majority of pupils join activities.

Hideo

Ohhhh…..

Helen

As expected, many pupils want to join activities if the majority of pupils join activities……..

Hideo

I see. If the majority of pupils are doing activities, they would like to join as well…….is that right?

Helen

Yes. Some pupils show their intermediate position between being very supportive for peer support and not supportive at all. These pupils tend to move to a supportive position………well……..they are mixed up…….

Hideo

You mean, some pupils who are generally not supportive, join the activities if the majority of pupils join the activities, is that right?

Helen

Yes, I think so.

Hideo

Do you have any experience about it?

Helen

Um…..well… two particular girls were always chatting during class. Most of the time some other pupils also were chatting in a small voice during class, therefore these girls did not care about this lesson and others. They chatted through the lesson. But one day, the classroom was so quiet. Nobody talked at all. Then these girls, who used to chat, did not chat at all and tried to be quiet.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Well, other pupils’ behaviours were so influential to them, is that right?

Helen

I think it is very influential

Hideo

Is that so during classes?

Helen

I think so.

Hideo

Ahhh…

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

That’s the reason why you would like to involve other pupils, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well, do you have any good experience or do you gain anything good from peer support?

If you have, could you explain to me please?

Helen

Ahhhh…….

Hideo

For example, you can understand relationships among pupils……etc

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Another example………you can greet in a loud voice because of peer support.

Any good experience.

Helen

Well…….in this city, all lower secondary schools cooperate together to do peer support activities.

Hideo

Umm……say……that is……..what is that?...........summits!!

Helen

Yes. We have lower secondary school summits with other schools. Thus, I can understand not only our school’s situation, but also other school’s situations. Also I can make new friends from other schools.

As expected…….well…….by knowing other school’s situations, we are motivated to improve our school, and I would like to do my best for it.

Hideo

Ahhhh…….secondary school summits……

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Well, you may be motivated whenever you attend the summits, is that right?

Helen

Yes, I am motivated whenever I attend. I have many good influences. I can stand up and take actions.

Hideo

Ahhhh…that sounds good.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I believe you like the summits, don’t you?

Helen

Ahahahah. Yes, I like it.

Hideo

Ahhhh.

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

Helen

Errrr……if there are no school summits………

Hideo

Is that crucial?

Helen

This would be a crucial problem. Well………ummmm……ummmm……..if there are no school summits, we would not have our own school summits. Ummm…….current activities like fund-raising activity and anti-bullying drama would not happen…..

Hideo

I see.

Helen

I think so.

Hideo

Your peer support activities would be very different.

Helen

Yes, it would be very different. Especially as we have various activities.

Hideo

So now you have the school summits. This is very good for you.

Helen

Ahahahaha.

Hideo

I see. You are happy about the school summits.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Ohhhhh. You just mentioned because of the school summits, you can learn many things from other schools. Do you have any other good things when you have attended the school summits?

Helen

Other good things are….ummm……well……when we spent time together with other pupils from other schools, I can easily talk to them. When I went to other schools first time, I could not talk to them at all. I was too shy to talk to others.

However, when I attend the school summits activities, I work with many pupils. Then eventually I could manage to talk to anyone such as teachers from other schools and pupils from other schools.

Because of the school summits, I overcame my shyness.

Hideo

Ohhhh. That sounds good.

Helen

Ahahahaha

Hideo

The school summits are so influential, is that right?

Helen

Yes, so influential.

Hideo

Well…the same question again.

Do you have any good experience when you are doing peer support activities?

Any positive thing? Good thing?

Helen

Ummm……..errrr……..well………I do classical ballet.

Hideo

Ballet? Or valley?

Helen

Ballet….like dancing. Hahahaha.

Since I was 4 years old, I have been doing ballet. I do not want to quit it.

Also I am in art club. I want to manage to do both of them. But when I joined the peer support team, I was wondering how I can manage to do these activities together. Ummm……sometimes it is very hard for me to do ballet, art club and peer support. Ummm…..but I feel I am living every day to the fullest..….more than before….ummmm.

Hideo

You mean you are busy, but you are very satisfied, is that right?

Helen

Yes. Ummm……what can I say……ummm……

I am really enjoying my life.

Hideo

Ohhhh. Satisfied? You are living every day to the fullest, is that right?

Helen

Ummmm…..I think so….ummm.

Because of peer support, I could do ballet and study as hard as I can.

Before joining the peer support team.......when I was busier, I became ill easily.

However, when I am determined to do my best for everything, ballet, study, and peer support…..I do not become ill easily. Thus I am praised by teachers………so now I do not stay away from school.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

That sounds good. Many good things. You do peer support, study, art club, ballet….also your health condition is getting better.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I see. Do you know the reason why these things happen?

Do you have a strong sense of responsibility?

Helen

Ahhhh…..well…..as expected……well……..when senior peer supporters graduate from the school, we need to take responsibilities. I have great memories of senior peer supporters. I would like to share these experiences with others and it is my responsibility to share. Eventually I can actively work as a peer supporter. Sometimes I feel I spend a lot of time during peer support activities. But I try to manage to make time for my study as well. Hahahha.

Hideo

Ahhhhh.

Helen

Well………..errrrr……errr……..before becoming a peer supporter, if I was tired, I tended to go to bed easily. But now I make an effort to study even for 5 minutes (before sleeping), and also I try to study in break time in school. I can wisely use free time, then my studies are going well. Eventually this makes it easier for me to attend ballet class as well

Hideo

So everything is going well, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

It is very good for you to do peer support.

Helen

Hahaha. Yes.

Hideo

Now you get used to doing everything in balance.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Peer support is very good for you.

Well, next question.

Could you explain the most enjoyable thing in peer support?

Helen

Errr……well…….what can I say….

Hideo

You can share anything.

Helen

Enjoyable thing?

Hideo

Yes, the most Enjoyable thing. Something you like.

Helen

The school summits….our own school summits……..whenever I am working with other pupils, I am really enjoying it. When I give feedback……..well……..errr…..this is good as well.

Hideo

You enjoy doing activities and preparations more, rather than giving feedback, is that right?

Helen

I like preparation.

Hideo

So you like to think about peer support activities and planning, is that right?

Helen

Yes. Well…….when I give feedbacks, because peer support activities are so great, thus I share information with confidence. This is great. Also during the school summits, I have good relationships with our peer support team members. I really enjoy talking with them.

Hideo

Ahhhh. I see.

Helen

Errr……..well…….if I did not join peer support team, I could not have these kinds of experiences. Ummm… I am really happy about being a peer supporter.

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well……what are the things you do not like about peer support?

Helen

Errr……..currently I have nothing negative. However, when I became a peer supporter…..at the beginning, I did not know what I needed to do at all. So I did many things by myself.

Hideo

Hahahha.

Helen

At the beginning, I did many things alone. It was very hard.

Hideo

I see. Hahaha. That was tough, indeed.

I understand.

Well, do you have any hardships when you are doing peer support?

Helen

Hardships?

Hideo

Well…….for example, when some pupils shared their personal issues with you, you were struggled to solve the issues. Or…..any experiences which was tough for you mentally.

Helen

Errrrr…
Hideo

For example, when you greet toward other pupils, they did not reply to you…

Helen

I had this kind of experience. Ummm……when I pass out peer support leaflets, some pupils received it, but some other pupils ignored me and went by.

Errrr….I put a lot of effort to make peer support leaflets and came to school very early in the morning. Thus, when some pupils ignored me, I was so disappointed. Errr………during the greeting campaign, I felt bad when some pupils ignored us.

Hideo

You mean there are some pupils who ignore you, is that right?

Helen

Ummm……..yes……..ummmm….also several pupils asked me impossible requests.

Hideo

For example, what kind of request were you asked?

Helen

For example, a pupil asked me to change our normal swimming pool into a heated swimming pool….

Hideo

Hahahah..

Helen

Hahahah.

That is too much, isn’t it?

Hideo

Hahaha. That sounds like a hot bath.

Helen

Hahaha.

Hideo

I understand

Well……you just mentioned what kind of hardships you have experienced.

Do you have any other hardship?
Helen

Other hardships……ummmmm………what can I say….….in a sense it is good for me to receive high expectations from others. Last year, other pupils reviewed that peer supporters should have good academic records, therefore I needed to study hard to achieve good records.

Hideo；

So you needed to work hard.

Helen

Hahahaha.

when I became a peer supporter a year ago, it was very hard for me to work hard to meet expectations from others.

Hideo

Ahhhh…….is that pressure?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Is that pressure from others?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

From other pupils?

Helen

Pupils.

Hideo

Ahhhh…..I see.

Well, what do you think about hardships?

Hardships like the pressure from other pupils.

Helen

Ummmm……what can I say…ummm….since I was little……I was so nervous during ballet’s rehearsals, but I was not nervous at all during a performance. Hahahha.

Hideo

Hahaha.

Helen

I was so nervous during rehearsal, but I did very well during a performance. Since I was little, when I received pressure, I feel so tough. However, I tended to talk with my parents about my feelings, thus I was fine.

Hideo

Ahhh……that sounds good.

Helen

This is because……..my mother really supported me very much whenever I had tough times.

Hideo

Ummm……I see.

Well, when you had hardships, did you ask teachers for help?

Helen

Ummm……..well……I could not share my hardships with teachers. Ummmm…….well….some teachers are not familiar to me…….

Hideo

Did you ask them for help?

Helen

I did not.

Hideo

You did not! Ahhhh…..

Helen

Ummmm……….well……

Hideo

A teacher Mr. Tanaka is so nice person.

Helen

Ahhhh……ummm……well….. …. I felt the supervisors thought I was capable of doing well at anything. But actually, I was not capable at all.

Hideo

Yourself?

Helen

ummm…..therefore I hesitated to ask supervisors for help…

Hideo

Ahhh…..if you ask teachers some questions, you think the teachers may know you are not capable at all and this seems to make them disappointed.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

You……..a bit……..well……you hesitated to ask for help, is that right?

Helen

Yes

Hideo

I see. That sounds tough.

Helen

Ahhhh…..

Hideo

That sound tough, peer supporter.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Do you have any other difficulty?

Helen

Other difficulties?

Hideo

You can tell me anything.

Helen

Ummm…..

Hideo

You have one more year to work as a peer supporter.

I would like you to use your experience for future activities.

Helen

Errr…..errr…ummm.

Hideo

Hideo

If you do not have any other difficulties, do not worry.

Helen

Ummm….ummm…ummm.

There are no difficulties for me.

Hideo

Are there any experiences you got help from other pupils and teachers?

Helen

Ummm……often I got support from my friends.

Hideo

How did your friends give you support?

Helen

Generally, I did not have much time to play with friends. So I really talked to my friends a lot during break time. I told my worries to friends, then they really gave me strong encouragements.

Hideo

Your friends gave you strong encouragements….I see…

So your friends did not criticise you…..ahhh.

Helen

Ahhhh…….my friends never criticised me…..

Hideo

I see. Your friends never criticised you.

So, you have great friends.

Helen

Hahahha.

Hideo

Well, do you have any negative feeling toward difficulties and hardships, when you are doing peer support activities?

Helen

Yes, I have.

Hideo

You may have many.

Helen

Hahahaha..

Hideo

Well, what is the important thing to overcome your difficulties and hardships?
Helen

Ummm………well….when I had tough times, I got some encouragements from my mother and my friends. Then, I think about the issues with considering advice from my mother and friends. I usually stay in my room when I think about the issues. After a few days, I feel better and I can think the issues simply and comfortably. I think these tough issues give me good opportunities to improve myself.

Hideo

Ohhh….you think positively.

Helen

Ummm…..I was thinking again and again. Then, eventually I felt at ease, and I thought I can use this to improve myself. My mother told me that when I had tough times, I should think these tough issues as good opportunities for my own growth. Ummmm…..I can change myself in a better way.

Hideo

I see.

You think of the issues positively and use these difficulties as good opportunities to develop yourself, is that right?

Helen

Yes, that is all I did. Hahaha..

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well, have you changed your mind after overcoming your difficulties?

Helen

Ahhhh…..well……….when I worried about my study, well….

Hideo

You did not have enough time to study, is that right?

Helen

Also, pressure from other pupils.

Hideo

Ahhh…I see. That is tough.

Helen

When I worried about…..hahahha

Unexpectedly, I could gain higher score in my school record than before.

Hideo

Ohhhh…

Helen

Hahaha…..that happened…..yes, I did it.

Hideo

That sounds good. You get high marks in tests.

Helen

Yes. That was amazing.

Hideo

If you did not receive pressure from others, you may not study hard at all…..hahahah

Helen

Hahahaha……..I appreciate it.

Hideo

That sounds good for you.

Helen

Hahaha.

Hideo

I see.

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

Could you explain to me if you have any good ideas to involve other pupils into the activities?

Helen

Ahhh…….in order to involve other pupils…….the number of peer supporters are limited. So we peer supporters need to cooperate with our close friends and encourage other pupils. If he or she is encouraged by their friend to join the activities, they tend to join it. If the majority of pupils join the activities, other pupils also tend to join.

Hideo

Ohhh…..some pupils tend to join.

Helen

Yes, they do.

Hideo

They change positively

Helen

Yes….if we increase the number of pupils who join the peer support activities, eventually some pupils who are not interested in peer support at all, may join us.

Hideo

In this regard, do you have any experience?.......like….. when you encouraged some pupils who generally do not actively join the activities, eventually they join the activities……

Helen

Ummm…….errrr……this happened in my class.

Hideo

Yes.

Helen

Well…….this year………at the sports festival, we had a relay race. Thus before the sports festival, we practiced our relay together with all class mates. However, several boys often did not join the practice. Even when boys joined the practices, they did not run seriously….then girls are…

Hideo

Ahhhh….

Helen

Several pupils behaved in a jesting manner, and they did not run seriously. Their behaviours were generally bad.

Then, we girls tried to talk to them.

Hideo

were these pupils boys?

Helen

They were boys. We girls said to them. “please run seriously” again and again whenever we had practices. Then just one week before the sports festival, they started running seriously. I did not know the reason why, but the central person of these bad boys changed his behaviours positively. Then other bad boys also improved their behaviour and worked seriously.

Hideo

Ohhhh. That sounds good.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I think friends’ influence is very powerful.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I see.

Helen

Therefore, if we can wisely use friends’ influences, this may be applied to improve a whole school.

Hideo

I see. Do you think it is possible to do that?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Ohhh….I see.

Well, the important thing is to involve others, isn’t it?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

You believe if one person changes himself, he can give critical influence to others. Then, eventually other pupils also can change themselves, is that right?

Helen

Well……..in our class and school, there are some kinds of ranking in peer relationships.

Some pupils have a higher order compared with others…..

Hideo

Ahhhh……you have hierarchical rank in your class and school, is that right?

Helen

Yes, in some groups……thus if the central person changed himself, then other pupils around him follow him and they also change themselves.

Hideo

Ohhhh……I see.

Helen

Now I am thinking how I can apply this for our school.

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well…….I believe some pupils show negative attitudes toward peer support activities, so how do you make contact with them?

Helen

Some pupils in my class carefully talk with pupils who show negative attitudes toward peer support activities. These pupils have behaved badly before, thus other pupils fear these pupils and carefully talk with them. However, in my case, I talk with them in normal manner and treats them normally as if I talk with my close friends.

Hideo

Ahhh….you contact them in normal manner.

Helen

I talk with them normally.

Hideo

Well……in a sense, you believe their conscience, is that right?

You behave in a normal way.

Helen

Yes, yes….I did….then, they really talk to me very much. Even during class, they often talk to me.

Hideo

Ohhhhh

Helen

Well………now they talk to me too much…hahahaha.

Hideo

Hahaha.

I see. well, in terms of your experience, I think these pupils may join the activities.

Helen

Yes…well.

Hideo

I see.
Helen

Maybe, some teacher encouraged badly behaved pupils, but they did not change their attitudes at all. Thus some teachers gave up encouraging them to do something good…..

Hideo

Do you think so?

Helen

Yes. When these badly behaved pupils talk during classes, some teachers did not say anything to them. The teachers ignored them.

I think these pupils want to be cared for, therefore they keep talking during classes.

Thus…..well…….ummm…….I think it is a good idea to contact these pupils in a normal manner. It would be good rather than ignoring them.

Hideo

You mean you contact them in normal manner as if you talk to your close friends, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I see.

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

Helen

Ummmm….

Hideo

When you are tired……

Helen

Errr…….

Hideo

How do you cheer yourself up?

Helen

Errr……that is…..

Hideo

Nothing? You do not feel down?

Helen

Errr….I sometimes feel down. Ummm.

Generally, I did not have much time to play with friends. So I talk to my friends a lot in the break time. I told my worries to friends, then they really gave me strong encouragements. Friends are so important to me!

Hideo

I see.

Helen

When I told everything to my friend. She said, ‘oh, it must be really hard for you. Please do not worry, definitely you will be fine!’.

Hideo

Friends are so important to you, is that right?

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

How about if teachers give you strong encouragements?

Helen

Ummm…teachers…..ummm……when I was in the primary school, teachers were very important to me….but now I become adolescent, thus…..

Hideo

Ahhh….

Helen

Maybe not…..

Hideo

I see.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Next question.

Have you had any good advice from teachers?

Helen

Ummm…

Hideo

You did not ask teachers for help, did you?

Helen

Ummm…..advice…

Hideo

Okay.

Helen

Ahhh…..well, during the school summits, teacher Mrs Tomita encourage me to talk to other peer supporters from other schools. She asked me to talk to others.

Hideo

Otherwise….you have nothing to talk about with others…..like that?

Helen

Ummm……something like that….ummm..

Well, if I can talk to other peer supporters at the beginning, then later we can cooperate and work together easily…ummm….

Because of teachers’ advice, I could talk to others. In days gone by, I was just following my senior peer supporters, so I did not need to talk actively to others. Now I do not have senior peer supporters, thus I need to talk to others on my own accord.

Hideo

I see. you spontaneously take actions.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Well. What do you think about current peer support activities in your school?

Helen

Errr…..ummmm……what can I say…..ummm

Hideo

Are you satisfied?

Helen

Ummm…..I am satisfied with it…

Hideo

How do you think about it?

Helen

Ummmm…..I think I can improve our peer support activities a bit more….hahahaha.

Hideo

You think you can work harder

Helen

Yes, still I can go further

Hideo

Well. Are you happy about current peer support activities?

Helen

Well…….I am happy about it. Ummm….. we are making efforts for various peer support activities. …but…..compared to last year, our activities seem not as stable………..

Hideo

Stable?

Helen

Ummmm….my senior peer supporters were steadfast in their activities. Each activity was completed. Current activities are also great, but some activities are half-finished.

Hideo

You mean sometimes activities go round and round and get nowhere…is that right?

Helen

Ummmm……..this thing happened several times…thus I would like to think about it carefully and make sure each activity will go well….ummm

Hideo

As I mentioned before, Currently, not only your school, but also other schools cooperate to have school summits. So how do you think about school summits?

Helen

Errrr….ummm…..we have not done the summits much yet….ummmm….

Hideo

Ahhh…..you have been a peer support for 1 or 2 years…..

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I believe the school summits started 7 years ago.

Helen

Yes. My senior peer supporters had been working for the school summits. Thus I also would like to make efforts to create great school summits. Also I heard Makakida lower secondary school (other secondary school) created the fund-raising activities for Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011.

Hideo；

So Nakakida lower secondary school started the fund-raising activities for Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011.
Helen

One of peer supporters from Nakakida lower secondary school proposed a plan, then all 12 secondary schools joined the fund-raising activities.

Hideo

So 12 schools have been doing the fund-raising activities……..ahhh…

Helen

Then, the fund-raising activities started when I was a first year pupil. We have been continuously doing the fund-raising activities. Also as a part of activities, we peer supporters went to the most affected area Miyagi prefecture……ummm…….

Hideo

I see

In this regard, the school summits play an important role.

Helen

Yes, I think so.

Hideo

If there were no school summits, this kind of activity would not have a big influence.

Helen

I think so.

Hideo

Ummm….you are cooperating with other peer supporters from other schools, aren’t you?

Helen

Ummm.

Hideo

Do you have any good experiences when you are working with other peer supporters from other schools?

Helen

Ummm….we can work with many peer supporters. They are representatives from other schools, thus their morale is high. The activities are also large scale and they are very different from our own school activities. Even when I listen to other peer supporters’ talk, I am inspired by it.

Hideo

You are inspired by other peer supporter’s talk.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

This is a really critical point.

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

Peer supporters are secondary school pupils

Helen

That is……..yes.

Hideo

I see

Helen

Yes.

Hideo

I understand that the school summits are so important.

I see

Well, finally, do you have anything to tell me?

If yes, please tell me anything.

Helen

Ummm…..

Hideo

Anything to tell me?

Helen

Anything to tell you?

Hideo

Hideo

Yes, anything you want to tell.

Helen

Ummm…

Hideo

Do you have anything you want to say?

Helen

Hahahahaha.

Hideo

You can tell me anything you want to do in future.

Helen

Ummm……what can I say……..what can I say…….I will be a senior peer supporter very soon. In the next semester, I would like to work as a central figure of peer supporters. So I would like to greatly improve our school and I will make efforts for it.

Hideo

I understand.

Thank you very much for your help over a long time.

Helen

Thank you very much.