EVERYONE needs a buddy – and nowhere is that more true than at primary school.
And for children at Bowes Hutchinson’s Primary School, being kind-hearted and a good friend is serious business.
The school has long-established buddy system, where year six children look out for younger pupils at break times. Wearing a florescent vest, they are there for younger children to approach and play games with if they need a friend.
Teacher Vicky Pollard said: “We have new buddies every year. There’s a buddy bench, where anyone who is upset or feels lonely can sit and one of the buddies will come to them, help them and play with them.”
The buddies also nominate children for being kind and hand out certificates at assemblies at the school.
“They are really proud of their role and do all the organising themselves – from choosing the pupils to telling the secretary the names.
“It’s a really good system and works really well,” said Ms Pollard.
One of the buddies, Freya, said she enjoyed the role because “you get to help people who feel left out” .
