Buddy Benches hit town
The Lions Club of Drouin recently completed their program of installing Buddy Benches in 13 schools and kindergartens in the Drouin and district community.
The Club has spent a lot of time working with school principals in designing the benches to best suit their needs.
The Buddy Benches have now become a worldwide idea which is designed to create friendly and caring school communities and to help fight loneliness and stop bullying in school playgrounds.
The concept of the bench is that when children are lonely, sad, and would like someone to play with they can sit on the seat which is monitored in most schools by senior students and teachers.
They will then be approached by another student and asked if they would like to come and play.
It encourages friendliness and inclusiveness and helps students to develop empathy for others. The Buddy Bench also encourages responsible behaviour as the students assist with monitoring the seat and inviting others to join their game.
Buddy Bench coordinator Ros Ough said the benches were made by the Drouin Men`s Shed for the Drouin Lions Club, who worked together to come up with a design that was suitable and safe for children.
“We are proud to have been able to work with another community group in our area,” she said.
“Drouin Men`s Shed then set about and did an amazing job in building them ready for the Lions to install.
“After speaking with the principals it was decided that the schools would love to finish the painting of the seats so that the students could get involved in the Buddy Seat program.
“The Lions Club then offered a prize for the best decorated bench to get the students involved.”
Lardner and District Primary School principal Julie Kennedy expressed her support for the Buddy Bench program.
“We are delighted to receive this lovely bench,” she said.
“Our students have been hard at work painting and decorating the bench, but most importantly they have decided on how the bench should be used.
“Children will go and sit on the bench if they don`t have someone to play with, or if they have a problem which they need help with.
“Our peer support leaders will check the bench regularly to see if any child needs support and will go and help them.
“This initiative is a key strategy in helping us with the very important goal of maintaining a caring and friendly environment for all our students.”
Ms Kennedy thanked Drouin Lions for the $200 prize for best decorated bench.
“We are so excited to receive the prize and we will definitely put the money to good use,” she said.
“Congratulations on the impressive work Drouin Lions do in the community.“
Ellinbank Primary School past principal Ian Frost also thanked the Lions for the donation of the Buddy Bench.
“A space will be strategically chosen for the children who are feeling a bit lonely and need support,” he said.
“We will continue to educate children about caring for others through our values. C.A.R.E. Community, Achievement, Respect and Effort. “
Jindivick Primary School principal Wendy Arnott said the school loved being involved in the program.
“Part of the redevelopment of our playgrounds include a sensory garden and quiet area,” she said.
“This would be an ideal place for our Buddy bench.
“Our art teacher is full of wonderful ideas on how to decorate the bench so the whole school can be involved.”
Drouin West Primary School principal Kerry Ware said the student CASSE (creating a safe and supporting environment) team to come up with a design.
“We came up with a design after 12 entries from these students,” she said.
“We now look forward to finishing the bench.”
Some schools are still busy with students coming up with designs for painting their Benches and will soon have them in use.
Lions Club of Drouin president Nick Drodge thanked the community for supporting the club in its fundraising events.
“It is because of you that we can donate to such a variety of causes with the Buddy Bench program now making our children feel safe and no longer lonely in our playgrounds,” he said.
“This donation to schools and kindergarten and the Buddy Bench program is something our club is very proud of.”
People who would like to join Drouin Lions can contact membership chairman Theo Versteden on 0407 343 410 or visit the Lions Club of Drouin website www.drouinlions.org.au/