Japanese children’s perspectives on the

(Michelle)
Hideo

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

Michelle

Well, pupils are divided into several groups in my class.

But whenever we have events, all pupils cooperate together and they are united. ……also, when we have the whole school activities, like sports festival…..other schools……no, not other schools……..pupils cooperated with many pupils who are in different grades, and enjoy doing the activities.

Hideo

Ohhhhh. So all pupils have good relationships, is that right?

Michelle

They have good relationships.

Hideo

Well, does any bullying occur?

Michelle

I think there is no bullying.

Hideo

Ohhhh. Well you have a good class.

Well, could you explain the reason why you choose to be a peer supporter?

If you have any reasons, please let me know?

Michelle

Reason?

Hideo

Why did you choose to be a peer supporter?

Michelle

Ummmm…… 20% of the whole reason is that I wanted to be. Ummm….30% of the whole reason is that my family members recommended that I joined.

Also 10% of the whole reason is that the experiences of being a peer supporter would be an advantage when I will have a high school entrance exam.

My school record is average level, thus I need to make some efforts to have advantage as a peer supporter.

The rest of 40% of the whole reason is ……….what can I say…….before I joined the peer support team, we had an opportunity to have student drama. Pupils who were on the student drama talked about peer support activities and we decided to join the peer support team. We decided to work together…….this is the 40%.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Well, student drama was a critical reason to be a peer supporter, is that right?

Michelle

Critically influenced…..

Hideo

Ahhhh. So you had nice friends, is that right?

Yes.

My friend, Helen was already a peer supporter. When I was doing the student drama, I asked Helen about peer support. Then Helen talked about peer support to me. This was a trigger of the start of thinking about joining the peer support team.

Hideo

Ahhh. I see. I understand.

Well, how do you feel when you are doing peer support?

What do you think about this?

You can say good points and bad points…….satisfied with………or you still want to make efforts…..any….

Michelle

Ummmmm. As you know, I am very nervous when I speak in front of people at assemblies.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Michelle

As you know, I was watched by more than hundred pupils, so I am so nervous….I worry about……..what should I do if I had a mistake or failed to do..….. I am not good at speaking……I have a slight stammer….

Hideo

Ahhh.

Michelle

…and, I worry about I may have a stammer……when I talk about for information for other pupils, I need to think and talk to other pupils in order to clearly explain to them.

Thus I am so nervous especially when I was watched by others.

After giving my talk, I often asked my friends about how bad my talking was…so I feel nervous most of time…..

Hideo

Well, you are always nervous when you are doing peer support, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

I see…….you do not get used to it?

Michelle

I am getting better. At the beginning, I was so nervous. I am still nervous a bit because I have a slight stammer.

Hideo

Ahhhh. That’s tough, isn’t it?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Ahhhh. I understand.

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

Could you give me some examples?

Michelle

Few months ago, we had the fund-raising activity for the great east Japan earthquake in the school. We had collected a lot of money from pupils more than we expected, and I was so surprised about it. Then at the assembly, we announced this information. I believe many pupils make efforts for a fund-raising activity and eventually we could have a lot of money. I felt many pupils feel sympathy towards victims of the great east Japan earthquake and pupils took actions to support them.

I felt pupils’ compassion……

Hideo

Well, many pupils also think the fund-raising activity gave good influence to their friends and other pupils, is that right?

Michelle

Ummmmm……..what can I say……we feel all pupils had contributed to something good. We can feel so.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Well, if other pupils feel so, could you explain the reason why other pupils do not become a peer support?

Michelle

What can I say…..most pupils said peer support is bothersome.

Hideo

Ahhh….but still many pupils are motivated to do that, is that right?

Michelle

I cannot say pupils are not motivated….

What can I say….when I was in primary school, we had an elemental school student council. I did not join it, because I thought that is bothersome and I wanted to have free time after school. I wanted to play, but if I joined the student council, I cannot have time to play. Also I did not want to have the heavy responsibility.

I think these kind of reasons……

Hideo

Well, you mean you want to do something good, but you do not want to lead the activities, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, you are right.

Hideo

Currently you are a peer supporter, aren’t you?

If you are not a peer supporter, do you think you would actively join the activities?

Michelle

Well, I am not sure……I do not know.

Hideo

You do not know? You would not?.....

Michelle

What can I say……as you know, my friends generally do not say to me “you are actively doing peer support activities”….we are chatting together generally….

So I do not know how other pupils see me…..

Hideo

Ummmm… I see. I understand.

Well, are there any differences between pupils who actively join the activities, and pupils who are not active in joining the activities?

If you have any examples, could you tell me?

Michelle

Ummm……

Hideo

Are there any differences between pupils who actively join the activities, and pupils who are not active in joining the activities?

Michelle

What can I say……….well……..I heard a story about one of my friend’s neighbours.

He was a very clever and well behaved boy when he was in a primary school. So everyone thought he would be a good pupil as well in a lower secondary school.

But when he entered secondary school, suddenly he started misbehaving …… well…..see…..then my friend’s mother talked to his mother.

Then….during primary school most children tried to behave well…..but when pupils became secondary school pupils…….because of the period of rebelliousness, pupils tended to misbehave. Also because of high school entrance exams, all pupils study hard. But some pupils may have repulsive feeling toward the exams……..what can I say……well……..some pupils do not want to be seen as serious pupils…….I do not know the reason why…..but these misbehaved pupils do not want to be seen as a serious……this seems a critical reason.

Hideo

I see. Some pupils want to be considered as serious pupils.

I see. This means these pupils do not want to be involved into peer support activities, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, I think so.

Hideo

Do you think generally these pupils are motivated to contribute to something good?

Michelle

I think they have morals.

Hideo

They have?

Well, you mean if they are encouraged by others, they would take actions?

Michelle

This is a difficult issue…….they tend to show negative attitudes as well.

They think that showing negative attitudes is cool….hahaha….

Hideo

Ahhh. I see

Well, do you think the school needs to have peer support systems?

Maybe we do not need it.

Michelle

Ummmmm……what can I say……….I think, as you know, as a whole, all pupils are equal…….during the primitive age, everyone seemed to be equal….but later hierarchical relationship started………what can I say…….as you know…..we need the role of hierarchical relationship.

Hideo

What do you mean?

Michelle

What can I say…..as you know…..someone needs to lead others.

If everyone was equal, we cannot progress? I think….

Hideo

Ahhh...……among pupils?

Michelle

Ummmmm……

Hideo

I think instead of peer supporters, teachers can take the lead for pupils, is that right?

Michelle

What can I say…….teachers…..well………teachers often said, “I see, I see”, but they do not take actions…..sometimes they forget what they promised…….say……in short, when the pupils asked the teachers to do something, there are many cases that often teachers would not do it…….well…….as you know…..what can I say…..when we were in primary school, most pupils liked teachers. But now in the secondary school, we are fussy about the teachers.

Hideo

Ummm? Who is fussy?

Michelle

Pupils are fussy.

Hideo

Pupils are fussy?

Michelle

Some pupils said “I do not like this teachers because…..”, but other pupils said “I like this teacher….”. Everyone has his likes and dislikes…….thus…….as you know…..some pupils do not want to rely on someone who they do not like……

If all pupils rely on a particular good teacher, this would be a big burden on the teacher………thus……. we need some pupils to take care of others….

Hideo

Maybe pupils do not like this idea, is that right?

Michelle

Ummmmm……

Hideo

Do you think the school needs to have peer support systems?

Michelle

What can I say……as you know…

Hideo

How about that teachers take the lead for pupils…...like…..teachers say “Let’s do it!”, “Shall we do that together!!”, “Let’s have a great fund-raising activity!”

Michelle

Well………when pupils are in secondary school…

Well……as you know……..generally we are allowed to work after graduation.

In the school, in a sense we are protected and guided by the teachers, but if we do not have the teachers after graduation, we may feel a sense of isolation…..

We have not stood on our own feet yet, thus I may not know a way of life……therefore during the secondary school, we need to know how to do in many ways………thus make leaders………..for society………….

Hideo

You mean…..pupils need the leaders from pupils, is that right?

How about other pupils who are not leaders?

Michelle

Ummmmm…….what can I say….say…..

Hideo

You do not care about the pupils who are not leaders?

Michelle

No…….what can I say…..

Ummm…….

Compared to teachers, it seems they are less powerful…..what can I say….I believe we need someone between teachers and pupils….hahahah….

What can I say…… someone needs to be a pupil……but someone also should have similar power as teachers have……what can I say….we need someone who is reliable selected from pupils…..

Hideo

Ahhh.

Michelle

What can I say…….ahahahah.

Hideo

Ummmm…..you mean the school needs the peer support systems, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

I feel some pupils would be opposed to the pupils who have power over them, is that right?

Michelle

Ummmm……well….as you know…..all pupils and peer supporters generally have school life according to the teachers’ rules. So the pupils and peer supporters are in the same situation. What can I say….eventually….the pupils and peer supporters are pupils…….ummm……..it is very difficult to explain….

Hideo

I feel even if the school does not have peer support systems, it would be okay.

Michelle

Ohhhhh……What can I say…..

Hideo

Teachers can have decided everything for pupils.

Is that problem?

Michelle

What can I say……
Hideo

Teachers can say….”Let’s do the fund-raising activity”….”Let’s do the greeting campaign”……like that.

Michelle

Well……..what can I say…..rather than teachers deciding things for us, it would be better if pupils discussed and planed the activity……then……

What am I talking now???..........

Let me see…………we pupils plan the things and take actions….this would raise our morale as a whole………..also there are some pupils who are supportive… what can I say…….peer supporters…….each peer supporter receives support from pupils around them. Morale of the whole school would be raised.

Hideo

Ahhh……the morale of the whole school would be raised, is that right?

Michelle

Yes

Hideo

You mean when the peer supporters take the lead for all pupils, the morale of the whole school would be raised more than when teachers take the lead, is that right?

Michelle

Yes….what can I say…well…..because now we are secondary school pupils……well….

In other schools……there are some events which pupils can prepare on our own initiative, like a cultural festival, presentations on learning.

What can I say……. when pupils want to prepare and work for the events, pupils do not want to be told to do something by teachers….

Hideo

Well, pupils would like to take the initiative to plan and carry out the events, is that right?

Michelle

I would like to take the initiative.

Hideo

Because of this reason, the school needs to have the peer support systems, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Ahhhh.

Well, pupils would like to make plan and carry on, thus pupils need the peer supporters to help these ideas, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

What I said is right?

Michelle

Yes, yes, what you said is absolutely right.

Pupils think so.

Hideo

I see, I see.

I understand

Well next question.

Do you have any idea how to improve current peer support systems?

Michelle

Ideas to improve the peer support?

Hideo

You can share any ideas.

Do you have any examples from your experience?

Ideas to improve the peer support………you can share any ideas.

Michelle

Ideas to improve……..

Hideo

Nothing?

Well, what is your ideal situation?

Michelle

Ahhh……what can I say….

Without teachers’ help, the pupils can take the initiative to do things in school….peer supporters need to make efforts…….ahhhh……ideal situation is that.

Ideas to improve?......

Hideo

Is it difficult to explain?

Michelle

Ahhhh...yes…

Hideo

Ahhhhh

It is difficult, isn’t it?

Michelle

Ideas…….

Hideo

Well, if peer supporters work harder, is that okay?

Michelle

No…..as you know…….

Hideo

Do peer supporters need help from other pupils?

Michelle

Peer supporters need help from pupils around them.

As you know, because of pupils’ help, it is so-called peer support.

Well….what can I say…in short, peer supporters are leaders from the pupils.

As you know, peer supporters need help from other pupils……peer supporters are supported by the whole school……ummm…..what can I say……

Hideo

Ummm….it is difficult, isn’t it?

Michelle

Yes…ahahaha.

Hideo

Any idea to improve?

Michelle

Idea to improve…….idea….

Hideo

Nothing?

Michelle

I do not know……ahahaha.

Hideo

That’s fine.

Next question.

Well, have you had any good experiences since you became a peer supporter? If so, could you explain to me please?

You can share any experience…

Michelle

What can I say…..before joining the peer support team, I hesitated to give some advice to other pupils. I wanted to encourage other pupils to behave well……like…..when the pupils do not wear uniform properly, someone needs to say to them.

I hesitated to tell them………but as a peer supporter, now I am able to give advice to them and feel less hesitation. Because of the role of peer support, I am able to more actively take actions.

Hideo

If you are not a peer supporter, you would not give advice to the pupils, is that right?

Michelle

I would hesitate to do that…..

Hideo

Well….pupils hesitate to give advice to others, is that right?

I mean pupils who are not peer supporters hesitate to give advice to misbehaving pupils, is that right?

Michelle

What can I say…….maybe pupils can encourage misbehaving pupils once. But if the misbehaving pupils did not listen to what they said……..what can I say……pupils hesitate to contact them.

Hideo

Do you have any example or experience about how you encouraged misbehaving pupils to behave well…..?

Michelle

Yes, I have.

Ha…….

Hideo

Did it go well?

Michelle

Well…..ummm…..what can I say…..ummmm.

What can I say…before joining the peer support team, I was able to offer advice to others once. But now I can offer advice many times until they listen to my advice because I am a peer supporter. I have a role as a peer supporter, and this is an excuse to offer advice. ……what can I say…… …I have been supported by my friends………I had many opportunities to give talks and now I able to behave confidently.

Hideo

Ahhh.

I see. You were shy person weren’t you?

You have been overcoming your shyness, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, I was.

Hideo

Ahhh. I understand

Well, do you have any good experiences and positive things when you are doing peer support?

Michelle

Positive things?

Hideo

Yes.

Michelle

A bit more……what can I say….I can see things in terms of various angles…..

What can I say…….as you know….I could think about the great earthquake and also city-wide activities among 12 secondary schools……. I think I could widen my point of view.

Hideo

Ahhh. You widened your point of view, is that right?

Without this kind of activities, can you widen your point of view?

Michelle

Ummmm.

What can I say….

Hideo

You are happy about being a peer supporter, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

I see..

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

Michelle

Enjoyable things?

Hideo

Yes.

Michelle

At our last school summit, I had opportunities to give presentaions….so I have many experiences….

Hideo

What kind of experiences?

Michelle

What can I say….

Before I used to show passive attitudes……but now I actively give presentations…

What can I say…..not planning…..well……we discuss the ideas together…..

I myself…..well….I did not have experiences that we pupils discuss our roles…

Before I had passive attitudes, but now I need to speak for others….what can I say..

Well……I could learn how we organize and prepare the activities…..

Hideo

Ahhh.

Was it fun?

Michelle

Ahahaha. What can I say..

Hideo

It seems difficult for you to answer…

Michelle

I have enjoyed doing something which I did not do.

Hideo

Ahhhh, I see.

You enjoyed doing somethings you did not do before, is that right?

Michelle

I enjoyed.

Hideo

Ohhhh. I see

Well, do you have any negative experiences?

Any experiences which you did not like…..

Michelle

Experiences you did not like?

Hideo

Yes.

You can share any negative experiences.

Anything.

Michelle

……………

Hideo

For example, pupils did not greet at the greeting campaign…..

Michelle

Ahhh…..I see

Hideo

Like you had hard time to distribute leaflets……

Michelle

Well…….simply…….when I need to talk at the morning assembly, I was so nervous and I stammer in front of pupils…..what can I say……

Also I was told by my friends like…”you spoke so loud”…..many pupils said to me

“your voice is too loud”.

I thought I have a big mistake about it…….

Hideo

Ahhhhhh. Is that your negative experience?

Michelle

Well, I do not want to fail. But actually I have failed many times.

As you know, I do not want to show my failure to others.

Hideo

Ahhh. I see

Well…..I understand you do not want to show your failure and mistakes.

Michelle

Yes. I do not want.

Hideo

I understand

Do you have any hardships when you are doing peer support?

Any hardships?

Michelle

Haaaa….

Hideo

Are there any hardship? No?

Michelle

What can I say….it is difficult to manage to do both peer support and club activity.

Hideo

Ohhhh.

Michelle

I am a vice leader in the club, thus it is very difficult for me.

Hideo

What is your club?

Michelle

Track and field.

Hideo

It seems very difficult to be absent from the club because you are a vice leader of the club. Ahhhh.

Michelle

Also a leader of the club is a peer supporter, that is Lucy!

Lucy is also a peer supporter, thus if Lucy and I are absent from the club activities, that would not be nice at all.

Hideo

A leader of the club is Lucy, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, Lucy.

Hideo

So you are a vice leader, Michelle, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, I am.

Hideo

Ahhh. That is great.

Michelle

Sometimes we I and Lucy need to be absent from the club activities because of peer support activities. …….what can I say….when we could not attend the club activities for a week…..I feel guilty for other club members who do not like about our absence.

Hideo

Ummm…..I see.

I see. The problem is that you need to take your responsibilities… is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

So you feel guilty about it, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Because of your responsibility, you feel a bit guilty about it, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, I feel so

Hideo

Could you give an example?

Michelle

What can I say……I need to ask other pupils for help to manage to organise the club activities for a week. I feel guilty about it….

I was selected as a vice leader of the club, but if I cannot attend the club regularly, that really doesn’t have any meaning.

Hideo

Yes, that is right.

I see. I understand.

Well, what do you think about difficulties?

Michelle

Ummm….What can I say….

Hideo

Maybe you do not want to have difficulties?

Michelle

The difficulties……well……I worry about others……..I worry about how other pupils think about me when I am doing peer support…..

Hideo

Umm? Who?

Michelle

What can I say…..

Generally, I go to school together with two friends in the morning.

But, often one of the friends is always late, so I need to wait for her…

When we have a greeting campaign at 8:00am in the morning, I am always late. I arrive at 8:05am….. other younger peer supporters are punctual always and come to school at 8:00am.

Hideo

Hahahaha.

Michelle

I believe all peer supporters come to school on time except me….

So when I come to school at 8:05am, I feel guilty about it ….

Hideo

I know what you said

Michelle

When I come late several times (again and again)…..what can I say…… I worry about how others think about me……
Hideo

How others think about you?

Michelle

Well…..especially younger pupils…..

Like …….how do they think about me……

What can I say…….. I personally worry about how others think about me….

Hideo

I see. You worry about it…

You seem have a strong sense of responsibility.

Michelle

Yes. What can I say…I was often scolded by my parents….like…. “do not do bad things…” “do the greeting properly”…….my parents often said to me “you must be responsible for what you do”…….

Well, in this point, I think the things in terms of my responsibility…

So…..I feel guilty when I am late for the activities….

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well, when you face the difficulties and problems, have you asked a supervisor for help?

Michelle

No…..…. What can I say….. I did not at all…

Hahahah.

Hideo

Why?

Is that because you think your problem is a trivial thing?

Michelle

What can I say……I always worry about the issues……

I personally think about the things in my way, so other pupils cannot understand what I am thinking. Thus I cannot tell my worries to others…..what can I say…

Well….what can I say…..thus when I talk to teachers, I generally talk about lessens…

Other things…..what can I say………peer support is very important……I do small talk……

Hideo

Hahaha.

Michelle

What can I say…… when I talk to teachers, I often ask about homework…..then I finished talking with teachers…..

So I did not talk about my problems…..what can I say…….I miss the opportunity to talk about my problems and difficulties.….thus I have not talked about my problems…

Hideo

You have not talked about your problems, is that right?

Well, in short, you have not worried about the issues much….is that right?

Michelle

What can I say…..at home…..my parents asked me about peer support…..

Then I shared my experiences with my parents…. …….but in the school

I have many things to think about……from the morning, I worry about being late again and feel guilty about it… when I was late for the greeting campaign, I always thought about tactics how I can come to the school on time……well….I have a lot on my mind…..

Hideo

But I believe you have opportunities to see teaches, don’t you.

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Can you talk to teachers when you meet them?

Michelle

No, I do not share my problems.

Hideo

You do not….

I see. I understand.

Well, this interview will be finished soon.

Well, have you had any support or help from other pupils or teachers when you face the difficulties?

If you had, could you explain to me please?

Michelle

In most cases, friends supported me.

Hideo

Could you explain how your friends supported you?

Michelle

What can I say….. ..after I talked in front of people, I often worried about my talking…. Thus I always asked my friends to give their opinions about my talking…..

I asked this kind of questions to my friends, but I generally do not ask teachers this kind of question….

Hideo

Ohhhhhh.

Do you think friends’ opinions are more influential than teachers’ opinions?

Michelle

Yes, more influential…

Hideo

Why?

Michelle

What can I say…….. rather than opinions based on teachers’ views, opinions based on pupils’ views would permeate me more strongly.

Hideo

Permeate?

Michelle

Hahahah….what can I say… ..as you know, the number of the pupils is more than the teachers….. this mean the pupils have more various ideas…

How I can be seen by others…… well….. others….

Almost……..well…….. I worry about how others see me…..

Hideo

You worry about how pupils who are from the same generation would see you rather than how teachers see you, is that right?

Michelle

I worry about pupils’ opinions

Hideo

You worry….ahhh…. you mean opinions from friends are more influential than teachers’ opinions, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, more influential…

Hideo

More influential? Rather than teachers said “you did not do well”… “you did very well”.. you think pupils’ comments are more influential

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Are you sure?

Michelle

Yes, ahahaha.

Hideo

Do you feel so?

Michelle

What can I say… I am able to ask teachers about many questions in terms of my school records… but I do not talk about my feelings with teachers…

Hideo

Ahhhhh……..I see….. you do not share your feelings with teachers….

Why you do not share?

You think teachers cannot understand you, is that right?

Michelle

What can I say….. friends are……..even after school …..I can talk to my friends and do homework together. We can keep our friendships continuously…… so I think friends are very important more than teachers….

Hideo

Ohhhhh. I see.

Michelle

As you know…. I can see the teachers only in the school. What can I say, during classes….. no, not class….. well some teachers occasionally move to other schools.

Well…….. the relationship I have with some teachers are not so long.

So I think I have longer relationships with my friends since when I was in primary school. ……so my friends know me for long time, thus it is easier for me to ask them to give me some advice…..

Hideo

Ahhh. I see, I understand.

Well, do you have any negative views toward the difficulties and problems?

Michelle

Negative views?

………………

Ummm.

Hideo

When you face the difficulties, do you have any negative feelings?

Michelle

What can I say…. most of negative feelings……I feel uneasy.

Hideo

Uneasy?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

You feel uneasy? I see…..

You feel uneasy, is that right?

Well, what is the key to overcome your feeling of uneasiness?

Michelle

What can I say……

Hideo

What is the key to overcome your feeling of uneasiness?

Michelle

Ummmm….. I need to practice…..

What can I say….I need to do simulations….. I need to practice to speak and gain experiences…. Then I can gain confidence.

Hideo

Aha….you mean, in order to dispel your feeling of uneasiness, you need to gain confidence…..and do practice more…is that right?

Michelle

I need to practice again and again….then I gain confidence…

Eventually I can dispel my feeling of uneasiness.

Hideo

Ahhh. I see

I understand

Well…say….you have overcome your difficulties so far…

Ahhh…. After overcoming the difficulties, have you had any change of mind?

Michelle

I felt sense of accomplishment. Ahahahahah

Well, when I did my duties without mistakes, I felt a sense of accomplishment, like…“I did it!”

Hideo

I see. I understand.

Well, some time ago, you mentioned that it is a great idea to involve other pupils into activities in order to have great activities………

Do you have any idea how to involve other pupils who reluctantly do the activities?

Michelle

What can I say….. rather than peer supporters taking the lead for them……

Pupils need to discuss in their class…… all pupils need to discuss together and make plans…….. then all pupils feel they are actively joining the activities…. ….this may be great memories for them….

Hideo

You mean, not only peer supporters, but also various pupils need to join the discussions. Then many pupils feel they are joining the activities, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

What I said is right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

If what I said is not right, please let me know.

Michelle

You are right.

Hideo

Could you explain a bit more please?

Michelle

well, …….. I would like all pupils to experience the atmosphere which peer supporters feel.

As you know, I want other pupils to understand how peer supporters plan and carry out the activities……

Hideo

You want to make other pupils aware that they are the main person for the activities, is that right?

Michelle

As you know, if they discuss and plan the activities by themselves, they would not want to spoil the activities……..

Hideo

You are right.

If the pupils prepare their activities, they would not want to spoil them.

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Yes, as you mentioned, the pupils would make efforts for it.

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

You are right, you are right.

Michelle

Yes.

You are right. You are great.

Have you had any experience about this?

Michelle

I have not had this kind of experience so far.

Generally not all pupils have the opportunity to discuss something together..

Hideo

Ahhhh. I understand

So you have not had any experience about your ideas, is that right?

Michelle

Not, I have not.

Hideo

I understand

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

Michelle

Ahhhhh. Yes.

What can I say, if I myself have been seen negatively by other pupils, even if I try to contact these pupils, they would stay away from me….. this is what I feel…

Thus, I stay away from them and they stay away from me as well. We do not have supportive relationships with each other…..

Hideo

Ahhhh. I see.

But you want these pupils to join the activities, is that right?

Michelle

Yes. As you know……what can I say….it would be great if they join the activities.

Even if I want them to join….. when I get closer to them, I worry that they may say something negative to me…… I am afraid of this. I do not want to be told something bad to me, so I hesitate to get closer to them….

Hideo

Well, you try not to get closer to some pupils who show negative attitudes, is that right?

Michelle

I try not to get closer to them…

Hideo

But, when you do fund-raising activities, did you ask them to do it?

Michelle

Yes. What can I say, during the fund-raising activity and the greeting campaign, I try to contact them. But except the activities, I do not contact them at all.

Hideo

I see. Well, you contact them in a general manner during the activities, is that right?

Michelle

I contact them in a general manner.

Hideo

I see. Ahhh.

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

Michelle

What? Because of activities?

Hideo

Yes, Because of activities….

Michelle

How do I cheer myself up? What can I say… cheer up?

Well…..when I was late for the greeting activities, I was reflecting on myself all day long. Then I think about how I am able to come to the school on time. In the next day, I tried to come to school on time. I mean….not cheering myself up, but making my determinations…… hahaha…

Hideo

Ahhhh. I see

I understand.

I have asked you before, but have you had any good advice from teachers?

Michelle

I had a great support from Mrs. Toimita (a teacher).

Well… when I was in the school summits for the first time, I had many advice from Mrs. Tomita. Then I could have a successful presentation.

Then, what can I say… what I have learnt from this experience is… if I make efforts a bit more, the results would be different.

This advice is very important for me and I still keep this advice when I do the activities.

Hideo

That is great.

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Well, you have improved your communication skills as well, is that right?

Michelle

Yes, I think so.

Hideo

Good. Maybe you could not improve your communication skills without being a peer supporter, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Do you think so?

Michelle

I feel so

Hideo

What do you think about yourself if you have not joined the peer support team?

Michelle

Ahhh. When I was a primary school pupil, I was not actively taking actions.

Thus if I am not a peer supporter, I think I am still not actively taking actions.

I would not progress much.

Hideo

Ahhhh.

Well, what do you think about current peer support activities in your school?

Do you think that is a good activity?

Michelle

As you know, peer support activities are good.

Our own school summits are a traditional activity which our senior pupils developed in order to improve school ethos. Volunteer activities, fund-raising activity……… what can I say…… these activities are great.

Hideo

Ahhhh. Why?

Michelle

What can I say … both peer supporters and other pupils do not have the opportunity to work together…….

Hideo

ahhhhh

Michelle

If a pupil wants to donate to the victims of the earthquake, it would be difficult for pupils to know where to send money…. and he may not know how he can organise the fund-raising activity for it. …what can I say….

If pupils have the opportunities, pupils would be united to work together.

Hideo

Do you think pupils want to do the activities?

Michelle

Ummm….

Hideo

Do you think pupils want to contribute something?

Michelle

In terms of their attitudes during the fund-raising activities, I think they want to contribute to that

Hideo

But, you believe pupils would not take actions if there are no opportunities, is that right?

Michelle

Ummm…..I believe my thought.

Hideo

Ahhhh. Well, you believe if there are some opportunities for pupils to do something good, they would join the activities, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

HIdeo

Ohhhh. Well most pupils want to contribute to something good, is that right?

Michelle

The pupils want to, but they do now know how to……

Hideo

The pupils do not know how to ?

Michelle

What can I say…..well… …..pupils have not experienced taking the initiative for others…… thus…

Hideo

I see. Well, if they are able to create the opportunities to take the initiative, they would do that, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Ahhhhh. I understand.

Well, currently, not only your school, but also other schools cooperate to have school summits. So how do you think about school summits?

Michelle

Well…. this year, already senior pupils retired from the activities. So only the first year and second year pupils (of secondary school) are available to join actions. But the first year pupils disregard all rules of propriety.

Even after a year passed, still some of the first year pupils do not greet properly and also they eat sweets in the school…… what can I say… because of some pupils’ negative attitudes, all first year pupils are considered as very rude.

Therefore, we need to have the school summits, which provide the opportunities with pupils to learn other pupil’s good attitudes and good activities. Then, pupils can learn positive and negative things from these opportunities.

Hideo

Is that important for pupils learn other’s attitudes and activities?

Michelle

Yes. As you know, pupils can know what others are doing.

Hideo

I see. The school summits allow pupils to communicate with other pupils from other schools, is that right?

Micelle

Yes.

Hideo

How do you think about this?

Michelle

What can I say…. well…… pupils do not need to know the place of other schools, but pupils need to know other school’s atmospheres. They need to know what kind of activities they are doing. What can I say… in the school summits… what can I say….

Achoo!! (Sneezing)

Hideo

Ahh? Are you all right?

Michelle

I am fine!

Well…. pupils are able to learn something about each pupil’s attitudes, other schools’ atmospheres, their activities……..

Hideo

Ahaa, ahaa, ahaa.

Michelle

What can I say…. I personally think school atmosphere is very important.

In order to create a good school, it is important to know how we can create good school atmospheres…… we need to learn from others…

Hideo

Ahhh. You would like to learn from other school’s practices, is that right?

Michelle

It is important to know from concrete examples.

Hideo

Ohhh. I see.

Well, you mean you are learning from other schools, is that right?

Michelle

I am learning from them.

Hideo

Ohhhh. This is very meaningful to you, isn’t it?

Michelle

Yes, it is.

Hideo

What do you think if there are no school summits?

Michelle

If there are not school summits, I feel that something is missing.

Also it takes a long time for us to think about new activities.

It is available for us to see concrete examples and activities from other schools.

If we cannot see others’ examples, we would find it difficult.

Thus at first, we want to see examples, then we can carry the activities.

Hideo

I see. Well, it is important to see other schools’ examples, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Well, also it is important to have the school summits which pupils can learn something good from each other, is that right?

Michelle

Very important.

Hideo

You mean it is very important for you.

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

Michelle

Serious problem! What can I say… well when peer supporters want to create a good school atmosphere, peer supporters need to know what they need to do. Peer supporters need a lot of confidence.

Otherwise, peer supporters may doubt what they are doing, then other pupils also doubt what they are doing is right or not.

As you know, peer supporters need to have concrete ideas and dispel their doubt.

Then peer supporters can play their roles confidently.. what can I say …

Peer supporters can easily explain what other pupils need to do. What can I say, peer supporters can carry out their plans and activities smoothly while getting an understanding of other pupils.

Hideo

I see. I understand

Well, next question.

Do you feel an invisible wall between peer supporters and other pupils?

Michelle

An invisible wall?

Hideo

Maybe rather than an invisible wall,

Are there any difference of opinions between peer supporters and other pupils?

Michelle

…………

Ummmmmm….

Not really……

Hideo

There is no difference between peer supporters and other pupils, is that right?

Michele

Ahhh. Well….what can I say.

Hideo

No difference?

Michelle

What can I say… as you know, generally pupils tend to consider peer supporters as a group of excellent pupils.

Pupils believe peer supporters have good school records and they are clever.

Therefore, I feel…. What can I say……

Hideo

It sounds good. You are good at studying….

Hideo

Ahhhh…well……. what can I say… I think I am still fine…. but other peer supporters are….. some peer supporters played ball game at the corridor. I thought they should not do that, they are peer supporters….

Hideo

Were they told off by the teachers?

Michelle

Yes, they were told off.

What can I say……. as you know, all pupils consider peer supporters as excellent pupils, thus I need to pay attention to how I wear my school uniform..

If I wear my school uniform untidily, other pupils think I should wear my uniform properly because I am a peer supporter…hahahah

Hideo

You feel pressure, don’t you?

Michelle

Probably I feel pressure.. as you know, I am not good at studying and I am not a serious pupil. But other pupils think I am a serious and good at studying….

Hideo

I see. That is a difference.

As a peer supporter, you feel pressure more than other pupils, is that right?

Michelle

What can I say…. there is a partition between peer supporters and other pupils.

Hahaha…

Hideo

Ahhh. Partition? Ahhh.

Michelle

What can I say…peer supporters appear to be serious and other pupils appear to be ordinary pupils.

Hideo

Ahhh.

Michelle

Therefore, peer supporters are considered as really serious pupils

Hideo

Who considers you in that way?

Michelle

Other pupils except peer supporters

Hideo

Ohhhh. Well, peer supporters are considered as serious pupils who are doing well, is that right?

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

I see. That’s tough, isn’t it?
Michelle

Yes. Hahahah.

Hideo

I see. Do you have any difference? Between peer supporters and other pupils?

Michelle

What can I say… as you know…. peer supporters are also ordinary pupils… hahaha

Hideo

Hahaha. You are right.

Michelle

As you know….. when other pupils have this bias or these views, I would have trouble.

Hideo

I understand

Thank you very much.

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

Michelle

What can I say?

Hideo

You can share anything, any thoughts, any ideas,

Michelle

Something I want to share?

Hideo

Anything?

Michelle

No, not really.

Hideo

Nothing? Well, thank you very much.

Your opinions are very important.

Thank you very much. It was very helpful.

Michelle

Yes.

Hideo

Well, now the interview finished

Michelle

Thank you very much