Latest news with #BuddyBench
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Meet the Lochwinnoch Primary School pupil making kids feel less lonely
Annabelle - who attends Lochwinnoch Primary School - came up with the idea to create a bench where boys and girls who want someone to play with or talk to can sit down, prompting other kids to help out. It blossomed into a meaningful new addition to the playground—a Buddy Bench. Pictured sitting on the bench are Lochwinnoch pupils Annabelle (who had the idea for the bench) and Stanley, who designed the mural behind the bench. They are pictured with members of the school council and S1 kids from St Andrew's Academy, Paisley (Image: Colin Mearns) READ MORE: Manhunt launched after sheep-napping spree near Glasgow This special seat offers a welcoming space for any pupil who may be feeling a little lost or simply in need of a chat, with the hope being that classmates will recognise when someone takes a seat there and respond with kindness, offering friendship and support in a safe and caring environment. Annabelle explained how she came up with the idea. She said: "I came up with the idea because I think people are sometimes lonely, and it can be hard to ask someone if you can play. "I thought the bench was a good idea so that if people are lonely, they can sit on this bench and people can come to you and see if you're ok." The bench is to help combat loneliness (Image: Colin Mearns) READ MORE: West Dunbartonshire MP slams Flamingo Land proposal recommendation Inspired by the idea, the school contacted St Andrew's High School in Paisley to see if their woodwork department could help bring the vision to life. The woodwork group, led by lead technician Mr Dock, took on the project enthusiastically, first creating a model of the bench and then going on to build the final piece. He said: "When I received the request for a bench from Annabelle, I though it was a lovely idea and decided to make it a pupil -based project. I asked the first year woodwork club if they would be interested in making the bench and they loved the idea. "We were very fortunate to receive the wood free from Express Timber Products in Paisley which meant we have been able to make a bench for both schools." The bench was unveiled at Lochwinnoch Primary School (Image: Colin Mearns) The result is a beautifully crafted Buddy Bench, now proudly placed in the playground for all pupils to enjoy. It has already begun to foster a sense of connection, kindness, and support among the students. To enhance the area even further, another talented primary six pupil, Stanley, designed a vibrant mural that now sits behind the bench. He hopes it will help kids make friends if they are struggling. Stanley said: "I thought it would be a cool idea to think about nature and the outdoors in Lochwinnoch because we have lots of outdoor spaces and the animals should be able to thrive. "I hope it encourages people to make new friends and socialise." Mhairi Peden, head teacher, added: "This project has been a wonderful example of the power of pupil voice, collaboration, and community spirit "The school extends a heartfelt thank you to St Andrew's High School for their fantastic work and support—and to the pupils whose creativity and care helped bring this project to life."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
High schoolers in Jordan School District install ‘Buddy Benches' at elementary schools
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah () — Elementary school students across the Jordan School District received Buddy Benches this month, which were a gift from older students in the district. The Buddy Bench is a place to help make new friends if you are lonely at recess. A group of seniors in the Jordan School District know first-hand how the benches work, so they designed and built benches for their younger friends in the district. was at the party at Monte Vista Elementary School when the students received their gift. It was an assembly where the school was surprised with their new recess accessory. 'Somebody notices:' Kindness classes taught at Utah State Correctional Facility boost community A group of welding, construction management, and education students from the Jordan School District's Academy of Technology and Careers teamed up to not just design the benches, but build them and then introduce them to the schools. Makayla Bird is a senior at Mountain Ridge High School. She was part of the student group. Makayla explained, 'We are focusing a lot on inclusion and not really focusing on the fact that bullying is bad; but really focusing on the positive reinforcement and really focusing on kids being kind to others.' Makayla didn't build the 18 benches being distributed across the district, but she did work with classmates to make sure the benches didn't just support the students — she made sure they learned how to use them. That was the goal of the assembly. Makayla continued, 'We did it all together, and we planned what we wanted. We knew we wanted to focus on things that were real problems within the schools, so we came and talked with the principals with the schools — so we knew what our targeted audience was needed.' This project was important for each of the students involved, not just because it was an important task, but because they know a Buddy Bench can work. Makayla explained, 'A lot of the welding students had their own experience with buddy bench in elementary school and they saw the positive impact it had.' Blair Jensen teaches the welding students. He was the one who got the idea going, but he said it was the students who made it happen. Jensen said, 'It was designed by the students. It was built by the students. The prototype was made by my welding students, then came the teacher education students and construction management. It's three programs working on it together.' After the assembly, they installed the bench outside the school — a gift for the younger generation and a step forward for the older students in their futures. Jensen explained, 'My focus is to getting them successful in a career and I think stuff like this having an impact in your community, that's crucial for being successful.' If you know of Acts of Kindness in your community, we want to share their stories. Please email us at . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
