A new bully-proof initiative is coming to our local schools.
The Community Bank Byford & Districts and Rotary Club of Byford and Districts have sponsored six ‘buddy benches’ to be installed.
On Monday the first buddy benches was installed at Court Grammar School in Mundijong.
A buddy bench or friendship bench is a seat in a school playground where a child can go when they want someone to talk to.
Other children and staff will recognise this as a sign that some help, support or comfort is needed and will come to talk with the child.
Because the bench is in the day-to-day environment of the school it can be used at any time and for any reason—from seemingly trivial matters to more serious concerns—and encourages children to ask for help when they are troubled.
The project is a collaboration between local businesses and organisations: Community Bank and Rotary Club donated the funding for the project; Midalia Steel donated the steel components and MLB Distributors donated the paint; the Serpentine Jarrahdale Men’s Shed built the benches.
Other benches will soon be installed at Byford Secondary College, Mundijong Primary School, Beenyup Primary School, Marri Grove Primary School and Woodland Grove Primary School.
