Emerald Primary School’s Buddy Bear ambassadors Courtney and Ririn collect bears to hand out to other students.
By Tania Martin
EMERALD Primary School students are again joining hands to fight bullying.
The school has signed up for its second consecutive year of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s Better Buddies program.
It was first introduced in 2007 as a pilot program which aimed to foster safe school environments for all children.
Under the program older students are paired with younger kids to act as a buddy.
Emerald recently (2 March) announced 10 new buddy ambassadors for the school.
All classes elected ambassadors from Grade 3 to 6 to write articles for the school newsletter and distribute ‘Better Buddies’ toys at lunchtime.
Teacher and program co-ordinator Janet Jackson said it was a great way to build links and friendships between different grade levels in the school.
Ms Jackson said it meant that the younger students had someone in the schoolyard that they knew and trusted.
“The motto of the program is it’s cool to care for others and we also push that as our school motto,” she said.
The school has also re-partnered with the town’s National Australia Bank (NAB) branch to help run a number of Better Buddies events throughout the year.
Emerald NAB’s Margaret Ryan said the program helped to create a safe environment for all children, free from violence and bullying.
“All children deserve a happy childhood and a safe school life and Better Buddies is a great way to ensure that happens,” she said.
