Rationale:

The purpose of the Leadership and Peer Support (LPS) course is to develop student leadership and support potential, style, and skills so that students can apply these skill in the school and community as well as in their selected career.  SWC students will develop skills in communication, interpersonal relations, coaching, leadership, teamwork, and conflict management, and apply them in roles such as tutoring, mentoring, and student council involvement.  Students will also learn the value and complexity of social diversity, while acquiring an appreciation of the importance of their community and helping others throughout their lives.

Course Design:  

Potential LPS students will meet with the LPS teacher prior to the start of the semester to arrange an interview with a classroom teacher. If successful in the interview, the LPS student will assist the students in a specific subject area under the supervision of that classroom teacher for the entire semester.  To enter the LPS program it is recommended that potential LPS students have a minimum of 75% in the subject area they wish to assist in. At the outset of the semester Leadership and Peer Support (LPS) students will complete an initial assignment to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities throughout the semester. Mandatory morning classes (7:20 - 8:40 AM) are scheduled for specific dates throughout the semester. During the morning sessions LPS students will complete Ministry of Education directed lessons on critical aspects of effective leadership. Following the completion of the initial assignment,the LPS application form, and the LPS confidentiality form, LPS students will assist in a regularly scheduled classroom. LPS students in conjunction with the LPS teacher and a subject teacher or a school or community supervisor, will plan and execute a project which requires the implementation of leadership skills. The project proposal and the results of the Short Term Out of Class Leadership Projects ( STOCP) will be presented to the LPS class at the end of the semester in a multimedia format.