PEER MENTORING
A WORKSHOP FOR STUDENT MENTORS
Our Peer Mentoring Workshop is designed for Year 10 and Year 11 students selected as peer mentors, peer supporters, or buddy leaders. These students have been entrusted with the responsibility of guiding and supporting younger peers—both formally and informally.
This practical, high-impact training equips older students with the skills to build rapport, listen actively, solve problems, communicate effectively, and model positive leadership. Mentors learn how to act as big sisters/brothers, role models, and connectors—helping younger students feel supported and engaged.
While typically delivered as a two-day program, it can be adapted to a one-day format.
Why run the Peer Mentoring Workshop?
Builds leadership capacity in older students
Supports positive school transition for younger students
Strengthens school community and spirit
Promotes student wellbeing by teaching practical problem-solving skills and fostering genuine connections
Two-Day Workshop Outline
Making the Shift to Mentor
Understand the responsibilities of an effective mentor, build “relational bank accounts,” and set an example by living above the line.Strengthening Connections
Learn to listen actively, respond with empathy, use protective interrupting, and step up as an upstander, not a bystander.Problem Solving
Master Michael Pohl’s POOCH model and put it into practice through hands-on activities.Communicating Effectively as a Mentor
Gain verbal and non-verbal communication skills while learning a series of short, fun activities to lead in your own school setting.Leading Large Groups
Develop confidence in leading big groups using UPP’s proven behaviour-leading principles.Practice Makes Progress
Apply everything learned through small-group practice, demonstrating skills in communication, behaviour leadership, and planning for real-world mentoring.
Contact us to see if this is the right program for your school’s peer mentors.
Expertly Designed Workshops
All UPP workshops are expertly designed by respected educator Luke McKenna and delivered by our team of highly trained specialists. Since 2015, these practical, engaging, and age-appropriate programs have positively impacted over 400,000 Australian students and are trusted by teachers and principals nationwide.
Engaging Learning Approach
We use a proven learning, action, reflection approach in every workshop, engaging students through videos, stories, interactive activities, reflection, teamwork, and partner sharing. For more details, check out our guarantee.
Follow-Up Resources for Teachers
Follow-up resources are provided for teachers after each workshop to reinforce key messages throughout the school year. These resources provide clear language and practical strategies to help continue your students’ learning in an engaging, consistent way.
Details and Pricing
The investment for this engaging and transformative incursion, including follow-up materials, is a minimum investment of $1,800 +GST per day, plus travel expenses if applicable. Delivered at your school — by team members based in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne — this whole-cohort workshop works best in a school hall or similar space.
Schools outside these areas may consider our online workshop option.
Contact Us
If you have questions about how our workshops can benefit your students, please contact Luke at 0407 677 253.
WHAT OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS SAY
“As usual, Cody was outstanding! The students were very receptive to his messages and are excited to be moving forward in their journey with greater direction and “know how”. ”
““It was an awesome day. Students engaged well and presenters were great at what they did.” ”
"Would recommend UPP personnel to any senior school group." Year 12 Teacher- Trinity College, Beenleigh
"Activities were really good- students were engaged and thoroughly enjoying themselves." Year 11 Teacher- Pimpama State College
"Super engaging and simple messages that are easy to implement straight away to influence people." Year 11 Teacher- Pacific Pines SHS
"UPP really strikes a chord with students. Presenters use the best of teaching techniques to leave a lasting, practical and positive impact on young people. Real strategies. Real world. Real life." Christine Clarke- Principal- Mary MacKillop College, Nundah.
"Engaged the whole group and developed a great rapport with students." Jenny Gilshenan- Year 11 Teacher, Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay.
"A great mix of information giving and physical activities to illustrate the point being made. Student were engaged from the outset of camp, until the end." Year 11 teacher- St Benedicts College, Mango Hill.
