Oakwood PS students Charlie-Rose, Knox, Evie, Natheo, Huey and Nathaniel with one of the new friendship benches.
Camera IconOakwood PS students Charlie-Rose, Knox, Evie, Natheo, Huey and Nathaniel with one of the new friendship benches. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

New benches forge friendships at Oakwood PS

Jessica NicoMandurah Coastal Times

NEW and lasting friendships will be forged on two special benches recently installed at Oakwood Primary School.

The pair of friendship benches came to life with the help of Clay & Ochre Mosaics artist Emma James, who worked with students and teacher Mary Hunt to decorate the seat with the word ‘friendship’ and the school emblem in a colourful array of mosaic tiles.

Ms Hunt said they hoped the benches would encourage positive relationships.

“We decided the idea of a friendship bench would continue to grow the positive school culture that the students, staff and community have embraced and embed an approach where students show care and empathy towards each other,” she said.

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“Oakwooders are encouraged to strive to be active citizens who have a positive impact on the people around them, which is a strategy designed to support children in maintaining positive relationships.

“So far the friendship benches have had a positive impact where children are supporting each other; we even had a teacher sit on the bench and they were inundated with offers of support and friendship.”

Oakwood PS teacher Mary Hunt with Charlie-Rose, Knox, Evie, Natheo, Huey, Nathaniel and artist Emma James.
Camera IconOakwood PS teacher Mary Hunt with Charlie-Rose, Knox, Evie, Natheo, Huey, Nathaniel and artist Emma James. Credit: Supplied/Supplied