Buddy Program

At Overport, Year Five children are given the responsibility of caring for a Prep child. Year Fives are given this responsibility so that they can develop a relationship over a two year period with the Prep they are allocated. At the beginning of each year, the Preps and Year Fives have a ‘meet and greet’ session to get to know one another. The Preps and Year Fives are then matched up according to personality, needs and interests. Since term one, the Preps and Year Fives meet once every fortnight. It has been a wonderful way to get to know the students and see their positive interactions with another grow. Through the buddy program, the Preps are able to develop a sense of belonging, a sense of security, a knowledge of expectations, social skills, confidence, independence and other focus skills. The Year Fives are able to develop relationships, responsibility and a sense of purpose. Year Five children are also able assist the Preps with learning the rules, showing them around the school, assisting them outside, helping them at the canteen and by simply being a friendly face out in the yard to go to. The buddy program is highly successful and the sessions are eagerly anticipated by both the Preps and Year Fives.