Our Buddy Program
The Prep students have well and truly settled into daily school life. The children have been thriving as they become more confident with our classroom and school routines. Our days are filling up with more and more learning and we love seeing their proud smiles as they make new understandings and achieve learning goals.
A major reason for this smooth transition has been the continued success of our Buddy Program.
The Buddy program is designed to give the younger children a school support person and to allow the older children to experience the opportunity to take on added responsibility and leadership. It has been a privilege to observe the Year 5 students take on the responsibility of being a Buddy. Each Year 5 student has worked hard to build a respectful relationship with their buddy, as well as ensure they feel safe and happy at school. The way in which they instinctually demonstrated care, empathy and compassion towards their new friends has been such a pleasure to witness, and it has been lovely to see the Year 5’s visit the Prep classrooms during the mornings to not only say a friendly good morning, but to also help settle them into the day by playing a game or reading them a story.
So far this term, the Year 5’s have accompanied their buddy to their first School Mass, supported their buddies to find friends on the schoolyard, and enjoyed regular buddy picnics at recess or lunch eating times.
To celebrate the Preps after their first week of school, the Year 5’s wrote their buddy a card and decorated a gift bag containing a special toy present selected after having spent time with their buddy and learning their interests and personalities.
After each Buddy experience the Year 5’s return to their classrooms and share funny and endearing stories about the games and tales their buddies have shared with them. The Year 5 students speak about the Preps with such respect and warmth. It has been such a rewarding way to see these leadership qualities shine through so early in the year.
Please read on to hear from the Preps and buddies themselves, as they share some of their favourite moments of the year so far!
Freddy, Prep PN: I like having a buddy because he plays with me.
Phoebe, Prep PN: My buddy, Maia, plays basketball with me. It is fun when we have buddy picnics.
Amelia, Prep LM: My buddy made me a card and gave me a present. I said thank you, and then made her a present!!
Camille, Prep LM: My buddy is really nice. Sometimes when I don't know who to play with, he helps me!
Freddie, 5HM: I love playing with my buddy at break times. Sometimes we all play in a big group; my friends, together with the Preps. It is really nice.
Ned, 5HM: When I made my card for my buddy, Wells, I love how enthusiastic he was about it because I put a lot of effort into it!
Lily, 5CD: I love playing with Spencer and making sure he is making other friends in Prep too. I make sure to look out for him and help him if he is hurt.
Maddie, 5CD: I love my buddy, Felix because he is always trying to make me laugh. He loves playing little tricks on me. I love seeing how many friends he has made in Prep already.
Lisa Mclean
Junior School Leader