Mackellar Primary School’s Better Buddies Program was on full display last week as the school turned purple to raise money for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
The Delahey school has been part of the Better Buddies Program for eight years, and is one of just four “showcase” schools nationally
School welfare officer Tanya O’Brien was last week singing the program’s praises.
“The whole school community has embraced the program since we started it,” she said.
“The kids love it and the values of the program are all aligned with the school values of friendliness, inclusion and caring.”
The Better Buddies Program is part of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s work to stamp out bullying in schools and eradicate anti-social behaviour.
It involves pairing older pupils with younger ones to act as buddies and create a friendly environment in which bullying is less likely to occur.
The Buddy Bear is the mascot for the program.
Ms O’Brien said the school and the foundation had worked hand in hand to make the program a success.
“The foundation will use photos that we took in their newsletters to get the word out about what they do,” she said.
Last week the school’s pupils brought a gold coin donation and dressed in purple for the day.
The money donated helps the foundation buy ‘buddy bags’ for kids that have to flee family violence situations. The bags include things like a toothbrush, hair brush, pyjamas and a buddy bear in it to help the kids.
“It’s a huge thing for the school to be involved in … to be one of just four showcase schools nationally is a great endorsement of what we do,” Ms O’Brien said.
