Alkimos PS students Lewis Riddoch, Hendrix Moore and Kayla Robinson at the buddy bench.
Camera IconAlkimos PS students Lewis Riddoch, Hendrix Moore and Kayla Robinson at the buddy bench. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Student safe haven

Laura PondNorth Coast Times

A Buddy Bench has been installed at Merriwa and Alkimos primary schools to create somewhere for children to sit when they are feeling left out or bullied and encourage other students to interact with them.

Bunnings Warehouse in Clarkson donated the benches and equipment for a vegetable garden to the schools.

Alkimos Primary School principal Andy Gorton said the bench would be incorporated into the school’s student leadership program.

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“Student leaders will use the Buddy Bench to work with younger students in the school,” he said.

“(It) will be used to encourage students to include others and recognise when their peers are in need of a friend.”

He said students would plant, care for, harvest and cook vegetables grown in the garden.

“It is important to establish healthy eating lifestyles within our next generation and also promote environmental sustainability,” he said.

“The vegetable garden will be a focal point in our school community and will help develop collaboration between teachers and parents. We are very grateful for the donations that we have received from Bunnings and other local businesses.”