Badger Creek’s buddies prove a hit

By Kath Gannaway
BADGER Creek Primary School students Phoebe and Rylie and Amy and Kalia have been better buddies all year.
As part of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation Better Buddies Framework sponsored by NAB Grade 6 students Phoebe and Amy have kept tabs on the preppies, ensuring they have a positive first year at school.
“It’s good to interact with the younger students and to see them smile and make them happy is really nice to see,” said Phoebe.
One of the aims of the Better Buddies Framework is to reduce bullying in primary schools and promote a friendly, caring school.
The older students introduce their young buddies to the values of the program such as caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing differences, including others and responsibility.
Healesville NAB employee Jodi Chandler has been the local face of the NAB Better Buddies Program at the school and last week presented the prep students with a photo frame to take a special photo to remember the friendships they have forged throughout the year.
She said NAB had a role to play in tackling important social issues such as bullying. “We’ve worked closely with the school to ensure their students can look out for each other and feel safe at school,” she said.